Emilie Burns, MSW, LCSW

Hello — I’m Emilie Burns, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) providing online/ virtual therapy to clients across Arizona, with a particular focus on individuals living in and around Tucson. I am also licensed in Illinois, where I offer virtual therapy to clients statewide.  I work with adults navigating complex emotional and mental health concerns, including trauma, personality-related challenges, mood disorders, and substance use. 

My work is grounded in depth, compassion, and respect for the complexity of the human experience. I believe therapy should be a space where even the most difficult experiences can be explored with safety, curiosity, and care. 

Emilie at a Glance 

I work best with adults who are navigating: 

• Personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD) • Complex trauma and PTSD 
• Dissociative disorders 
• Substance use and recovery 
• Bipolar disorder 
• Long-standing emotional or relational patterns 

I offer:

• Virtual therapy in Arizona 
• Online counseling for clients in Tucson and surrounding areas 
• Virtual therapy across Illinois 

My Approach to Therapy 

When you begin therapy with me — through online therapy — my priority is creating a space that feels safe, grounded, and collaborative. Many of the clients I work with have lived with intense emotional experiences, invalidation, or trauma over long periods of time. Because of this, I approach therapy with patience, transparency, and respect for your pace. 

My therapeutic style is reflective and relational. I focus on helping clients develop insight into their internal experiences while also building tools to support emotional regulation, stability, and meaningful change. Therapy with me is not about quick fixes — it’s about creating lasting understanding and growth. 

Clinical Focus & Areas of Support 

My clinical focus includes: 

• Borderline personality disorder and personality-related concerns • Complex trauma and PTSD 
• Dissociative disorders 
• Substance abuse and recovery 
• Bipolar disorder and mood regulation 
• Identity, attachment, and relational patterns 

I work with clients who often feel misunderstood by traditional approaches to therapy and are seeking care that acknowledges the depth and complexity of their experiences. 

Therapeutic Modalities I Use 

I integrate several evidence-based and depth-oriented approaches, including: 

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) — exploring and healing parts of the self with compassion
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — building psychological flexibility and values-based living 
• Psychodynamic Therapy — understanding how past experiences shape present patterns 
• EMDR

These approaches allow therapy to move beyond symptom management toward deeper self-awareness, integration, and healing. 

Who I Work With 

Many of the clients I support come to therapy feeling: 

• Emotionally overwhelmed or dysregulated 
• Stuck in repeating relational or emotional patterns 
• Impacted by long-term trauma or instability 
• Disconnected from themselves or others 
• Unsure how to manage intense emotions or identity concerns 

I specialize in working with individuals who require thoughtful, structured, and compassionate care — and who benefit from a therapist comfortable working with complexity. 

Online Therapy for Arizona, Tucson & Illinois 

I provide secure online therapy for clients across Arizona, including those living in Tucson, as well as virtual therapy for clients throughout Illinois. Online therapy offers flexibility while still allowing for depth, consistency, and meaningful connection — particularly important for trauma-focused and long-term therapeutic work. 

As a virtual therapist, I prioritize creating sessions that feel present, connected, and grounded, even when meeting remotely. 

My Philosophy 

I believe healing begins with understanding — understanding yourself, your experiences, and the ways your mind and nervous system have adapted over time. Therapy is a space to explore those patterns with compassion, reduce shame, and build a more integrated and empowered sense of self.

If you’re seeking a virtual therapist in Arizona — especially in the Tucson area — or a virtual therapist in Illinois who specializes in complex trauma, personality disorders, dissociation, and mood-related concerns, I would be honored to support you. 

You deserve care that is thoughtful, informed, and deeply respectful of your lived experience.