Emma Rockvam, AMFT #141515
Finding our way through life’s challenges can feel overwhelming—especially when we’re facing them alone. Whether you're navigating anxiety, a life transition, relationship stress, or struggles with self-worth, I believe that healing happens through safe, supportive connection—and that therapy can be a place where we begin to feel seen, understood, and empowered.
My name is Emma Rockvam, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #141515. I earned my Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a focus in Marriage & Family Therapy at Pepperdine University and my Bachelor of Arts in Education, Society, and Human Development with a concentration in Learning and Behavioral Studies at the University of California, Riverside.
My therapeutic approach is rooted in both Cognitive Behavioral and Humanistic principles. I work with clients to increase awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while also honoring their unique lived experiences, inner strengths, and capacity for growth.
From a Cognitive Behavioral perspective, I support clients in identifying unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to emotional distress. Together, we work to reframe these thoughts, build healthier coping strategies, and cultivate greater psychological
flexibility. At the same time, my Humanistic orientation emphasizes empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard. I believe that each person has the innate potential for healing, and I strive to create a collaborative and affirming space where clients feel safe to explore who they are and what they need.
I’m passionate about reducing the stigma around mental health and providing compassionate care to children (ages 10–18), young adults, couples, and families. Whether you’re struggling with body image, grief and loss, or a major life change, I’m here to support you in reconnecting with yourself and the people around you.
I am especially passionate about couples and family work. I believe that our closest relationships can be powerful sources of both stress and healing—and that meaningful change often begins within these connections. In my work with families, I focus on improving communication, fostering understanding, and addressing patterns that may be keeping members stuck or disconnected. With couples, I help partners strengthen emotional intimacy, navigate conflict more effectively, and rebuild trust when it has been broken. Whether we’re addressing parenting dynamics, life transitions, or relational wounds, I strive to create a space where all voices can be heard, and where growth can unfold through compassion, accountability, and collaboration.
Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety and depression can affect every part of life—your energy, relationships, confidence, and ability to feel present or hopeful. While they may show up in different ways, both often involve feeling overwhelmed, stuck in negative thought patterns, or disconnected from a sense of purpose and self. In our work together, I create a supportive and nonjudgmental space where we can explore the emotional and situational factors contributing to your experience. Whether you're feeling constantly on edge, shut down, or unsure how to move forward, I help you make sense of what you're going through and support you in building greater self-understanding, emotional resilience, and clarity. My goal is to help you reconnect with what matters most to you and to feel more grounded, capable, and alive in your day-to-day life.
For younger clients, I often include parent coaching as part of the therapeutic process. Using the SPACE model, I guide caregivers in shifting their responses to anxiety and reducing unhelpful accommodation, while maintaining warmth, support, and connection.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Working with OCD requires both compassion and structure. I support clients in untangling the cycle of intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and compulsions by helping them better understand how OCD operates and gently guiding them toward new, more empowering responses. Many clients come in feeling overwhelmed by their thoughts, ashamed of their compulsions, or fearful that something is “wrong” with them. I strive to normalize these experiences and reduce shame while also offering concrete support to reduce symptom severity and regain a sense of agency.
I also utilize the SPACE model when working with parents of children and teens with OCD. Through dedicated parent coaching sessions, I help caregivers understand how to support exposure-based work and reduce behaviors that inadvertently reinforce compulsions—all while preserving connection and trust.
Trauma
In my work with trauma, I emphasize safety, regulation, and the power of narrative in healing. Trauma can leave us feeling fragmented or disconnected from ourselves and others, so I approach this work with care, patience, and attunement. I incorporate psychoeducation, grounding techniques, and emotion regulation strategies to help clients process their experiences at a manageable pace. My goal is to create a compassionate environment where individuals feel empowered to reclaim their stories, restore a sense of agency, and move toward integration and wholeness..
Eating Disorders (Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, OSFED, ARFID)
When working with individuals and families navigating eating disorders, I take a compassionate, family-informed, and evidence-based approach. Recovery is not just about food—it’s about rebuilding trust with your body, learning how to regulate emotions without relying on control, and cultivating a sense of worthiness and belonging. I collaborate with caregivers, dietitians, psychiatrists, and other providers to ensure comprehensive support across all levels of care. Together, we address both the emotional and behavioral aspects of recovery, supporting clients as they rediscover connection to themselves and their lives.
I also incorporate parent coaching and elements of the SPACE model when working with families navigating eating disorders. This approach supports caregivers in reducing accommodating behaviors, increasing emotional attunement, and reinforcing recovery-aligned actions in the home environment.
Couples Therapy
In couples therapy, I support partners in cultivating deeper emotional intimacy, navigating conflict with clarity, and strengthening their bond through mutual understanding. I draw on emotionally focused and attachment-based models to help couples shift unhelpful patterns and repair ruptures. Whether we're working through life transitions, trust issues, or communication breakdowns, I strive to create a balanced and nonjudgmental space where both voices are heard and respected.
Family Therapy
My approach to family therapy is collaborative, inclusive, and grounded in respect for each member’s experience. I work with families to improve communication, identify and shift unhelpful relational dynamics, and support each individual’s role within the system. Whether a family is navigating adolescence, parenting challenges, or transitions such as loss or blending, I aim to foster connection, shared understanding, and emotional resilience across generations.
Evidence-Based Practices I Use
I draw from a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities to meet the unique needs of each client. These approaches are grounded in research and clinical effectiveness, and I integrate them flexibly depending on your goals, personality, and presenting concerns. Below are some of the core methods I incorporate in my work:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):
Helps individuals accept difficult emotions and thoughts without judgment, clarify their core values, and commit to actions that align with what matters most to them. ACT promotes flexibility in thinking and empowers clients to move toward a meaningful life even in the presence of discomfort.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):
Especially helpful for those experiencing emotional dysregulation, trauma responses, or relationship difficulties. DBT teaches skills across four key areas: mindfulness (being present in the moment), distress tolerance (coping through crises), emotion regulation (managing intense emotions), and interpersonal effectiveness (navigating relationships with clarity and self-respect).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
Focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful or distorted thinking patterns and the behaviors that stem from them. CBT helps clients gain insight into how their thoughts influence their emotions and actions, while also developing healthier cognitive and behavioral habits that lead to lasting change.
SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions):
A parent-based treatment model for children and adolescents struggling with anxiety, OCD, and related challenges. SPACE empowers caregivers to respond supportively while reducing accommodation behaviors that may unintentionally reinforce a child’s distress. I offer parent coaching sessions to help families implement these strategies effectively and confidently.
Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for Eating Disorders:
A leading evidence-based approach for children and adolescents with eating disorders. FBT empowers parents and caregivers to take an active, central role in the recovery process, supporting the client in restoring physical health and reclaiming their life from the eating disorder.
Psychoeducation:
I provide clients and families with knowledge about the brain-body connection, trauma responses, communication styles, emotional regulation, and mental health conditions. This increases self-awareness and gives clients the tools to make informed, empowered decisions about their care and healing journey.
Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially if you're used to navigating things on your own. My hope is to create a space where you can be curious, honest, and compassionate with yourself as we explore what healing looks like for you. Whether you're seeking support for a specific issue or are looking to better understand yourself, I’m here to walk alongside you.
If you're ready to begin—or are simply curious about therapy—I would be honored to connect with you.
I offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation to discuss your unique needs and explore how we can work together to achieve your therapeutic goals. This initial meeting is an opportunity for us to connect, and for you to ask any questions you may have about the therapeutic process.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for a free 20-minute consultation.
Individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes/$140 per session and couples sessions are 50 minutes/$160 per session.
Email: emmarockvamtherapy@gmail.com
Phone #: (949) 942-5062