Emily Materdo, LCSW
Collaborative, trauma-informed support for life’s toughest transitions
- Complex trauma and recovery
- Caregiver stress support
- Anxiety and mood concerns
About Emily Materdo
Emily Materdo, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with 13 years of experience in clinical and medical social work in North Carolina. She has supported adolescents, young adults, and older adults, including individuals living with disability, and she brings particular focus to complex trauma, chronic health concerns, caregiver stress, anxiety, depression, and mood-related challenges. She also works with teens and with young adults navigating the demands and identity shifts that can come with entering professional life.
Her style is grounded in client-centered therapy, with an emphasis on collaboration and respect for each person’s lived experience. Emily integrates evidence-informed methods such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), alongside self-compassion practices and other trauma-informed approaches, to help clients make sense of patterns, emotions, and coping strategies. She is especially interested in how family, home, and community environments shape people over time, and she supports clients in exploring these influences with clarity and care.
In sessions, Emily aims to create an inviting space where clients can speak openly about what brought them to therapy, including the uncertainty that can come with taking the first step. She works to help clients view themselves as the expert in their own lives while also offering a fresh perspective on goals, next steps, and the process of change. Her work encourages reflection, vulnerability, and the development of self-compassion as clients move toward the outcomes they want for themselves.
Her style is grounded in client-centered therapy, with an emphasis on collaboration and respect for each person’s lived experience. Emily integrates evidence-informed methods such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), alongside self-compassion practices and other trauma-informed approaches, to help clients make sense of patterns, emotions, and coping strategies. She is especially interested in how family, home, and community environments shape people over time, and she supports clients in exploring these influences with clarity and care.
In sessions, Emily aims to create an inviting space where clients can speak openly about what brought them to therapy, including the uncertainty that can come with taking the first step. She works to help clients view themselves as the expert in their own lives while also offering a fresh perspective on goals, next steps, and the process of change. Her work encourages reflection, vulnerability, and the development of self-compassion as clients move toward the outcomes they want for themselves.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problemsDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)EmptinessFamily of origin issuesFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Emily Materdo have?
Emily Materdo has 13 years of experience in clinical and medical social work.
Is Emily Materdo a licensed therapist?
Yes. Emily Materdo is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Her license is NC LCSW C017661.
In which languages does Emily Materdo provide therapy?
Emily Materdo provides therapy in English.
Where is Emily Materdo located?
Emily Materdo is located in North Carolina.
How can I work with Emily Materdo as my therapist?
Clients can work with Emily Materdo through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, depending on what fits their needs and scheduling.
Does Emily Materdo work with international clients?
No. Emily Materdo does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Emily Materdo cost?
The cost of therapy can vary based on factors like 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 to help 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.
Therapy Tools That Translate Well to Online Care
Emily Materdo, LCSW, draws from practical, skills-based approaches that can work well in online therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on noticing unhelpful thought patterns and experimenting with new ways of responding, which can be especially useful for anxiety, depression, and stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adds concrete tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and relationship effectiveness, supporting people who feel overwhelmed by intense emotions or stuck in reactive cycles. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients make room for difficult thoughts and feelings while taking steps toward what matters most, which can be helpful when life circumstances, chronic health concerns, or caregiver demands feel hard to change.Finding the right fit is part of the process. Emily approaches therapy as collaborative and client-centered, working with each person to clarify goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful right now. The approach can be adjusted over time as needs shift and insights deepen.
Online therapy also offers practical flexibility. Sessions can happen through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to stay consistent during busy weeks, manage transportation or mobility limitations, or get support while balancing work, caregiving, or school responsibilities.