Emily McBay, LMHC
Person-centered counseling for life's transitions
- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship support
- Parenting and family
About Emily McBay
Emily McBay is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in Florida with 13 years of clinical experience. She balances a warm, down-to-earth style with professional training, and outside of work her joys include family, travel, Disney, animals, sports, and cooking. Originally from the Midwest, she once pursued meteorology before turning her focus to counseling after years of varied life experiences shaped her interest in supporting others.
Emily earned a bachelor’s degree from UMass and a master’s degree in Counseling and Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a concentration in Family and Forensics. Her early career included work with individuals involved in incarceration, individual counseling for students and families at a local university, and clinical roles at a treatment center. She currently serves a diverse population through a local non-profit, bringing that broad background into each therapeutic relationship.
Clinically, Emily draws on a holistic, person-centered framework and integrates techniques from approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy as appropriate. She has experience addressing depression, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, parenting challenges, trauma and abuse, caregiver stress, addictions, self-esteem, career questions, and intimacy-related issues. Emily frames therapy as a collaborative process - she works with people to set realistic goals and to build skills for managing stress, strengthening relationships, and navigating life changes.
Her style emphasizes empathy, practical strategies, and encouragement. Rather than promising instant solutions, Emily supports clients in identifying priorities, developing coping tools, and making sustainable changes over time.
Emily earned a bachelor’s degree from UMass and a master’s degree in Counseling and Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a concentration in Family and Forensics. Her early career included work with individuals involved in incarceration, individual counseling for students and families at a local university, and clinical roles at a treatment center. She currently serves a diverse population through a local non-profit, bringing that broad background into each therapeutic relationship.
Clinically, Emily draws on a holistic, person-centered framework and integrates techniques from approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy as appropriate. She has experience addressing depression, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, parenting challenges, trauma and abuse, caregiver stress, addictions, self-esteem, career questions, and intimacy-related issues. Emily frames therapy as a collaborative process - she works with people to set realistic goals and to build skills for managing stress, strengthening relationships, and navigating life changes.
Her style emphasizes empathy, practical strategies, and encouragement. Rather than promising instant solutions, Emily supports clients in identifying priorities, developing coping tools, and making sustainable changes over time.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Trauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
Attachment issuesCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsFamily problemsFertility issuesForgivenessInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Emily McBay have?
Emily McBay has 13 years of clinical experience working with individuals and families across a range of concerns.
Is Emily McBay a licensed therapist?
Yes. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). License details: FL LMHC MH16116.
In which languages does Emily McBay provide therapy?
Emily McBay provides therapy in English.
Where is Emily McBay located?
She is located in Florida.
How can I work with Emily McBay as my therapist?
You can work with Emily McBay through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Emily McBay work with international clients?
Emily McBay does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Emily McBay cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches and online care with Emily McBay
Emily McBay commonly draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy, along with a client-centered perspective, adapting each to the online setting. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values, accept difficult thoughts or feelings, and take committed action toward meaningful goals - it is useful for stress, anxiety, and motivation-related concerns. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns of relating and emotional bonds, helping clients address trust, intimacy, codependency, and family dynamics by exploring how early relationships influence current behavior. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes the therapist's empathic presence and collaborative partnership, creating space for clients to set the pace and direction of work while receiving nonjudgmental support.Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Emily collaborates with each person to identify goals, try different strategies, and adjust methods based on what fits the client's needs, preferences, and life circumstances. This collaborative stance helps tailor treatment plans rather than relying on a single method.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate work schedules, family responsibilities, and geographic constraints. These options make it easier to maintain regular contact with licensed professionals, access support from home or on the go, and continue care when life changes or travel make in-person visits difficult.