about the owner

Emily Koen, LICSW

LICSW [MA] License # 125902 and LCSW (NH) License # 2939

My name is Emily and I am the founder of GRIT Therapeutic Services. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and have diverse experience working within the behavioral health field in community, group, and individual settings. The majority of my experience has been working with individuals who were fighting for a life in recovery from substance use disorders. I help people uncover the roots of their destructive behaviors and learn new, healthy ways to cope with the feelings of anxiety, depression, fear, grief, loss, and isolation that fuel these behaviors.

What is GRIT? Grit is a personality trait possessed by individuals who demonstrate passion and perseverance toward a goal despite being confronted by significant obstacles and distractions.

I created GRIT as a way to help people discover their inner strengths, build self-confidence, and become empowered by their own story. No one should be alone with their struggles, I want people who work with me to understand that all people have challenges and need support at various points in their lives.

I emphasize holistic psychotherapy, working to help others find alignment in their mind, body, and spirit through a collaborative and individualistic approach with my clients. Interventions such as cognitive behavioral and narrative therapy techniques are used to help people understand, and unravel, negative belief systems that are keeping them stuck. I also put a significant amount of emphasis on the importance of simultaneously working to heal the body and teaching how to implement mindfulness practices, based on the overwhelming research and evidence that physical exercise and meditation have a profound impact on an individual’s mental health and their ability to effectively cope with stress.

Educationally, I have a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Simmons University and a Master of Social Work degree from Salem State University. I have extensive experience working with individuals struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health issues with roles that included community engagement coordinator, group facilitator, clinician/therapist and program director. In addition, I am a trained yoga teacher (Yoga Teacher Training-200 hour from Barre & Soul) and climbing wall instructor (American Mountain Guides Association).