Dr. Wilson received her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2015 and her Ph.D. in Human Development from The University of Chicago in 2021. She is currently a Supervisee in Clinical Social Work (license #0906016521) under the supervision of Peter G. Gross, LCSW, at the Child and Family Counseling Group in Fairfax, VA. In addition, Dr. Wilson provides mental health care for individuals with complex PTSD and dissociative disorders for the TraumaSci program at Dominion Hospital in Falls Church, VA.
Dr. Wilson has been dedicated to public and social services for most of her adult life. In college, she mentored children with learning disabilities, taught yoga at an adolescent psychiatric facility, and trained in mindfulness and Acceptance Commitment Therapy at a private psychotherapy clinic. Dr. Wilson has also mentored and supported children and adolescents facing issues such as poverty, homelessness, incarceration, and mental health challenges.
Among her many mentors and teachers, Dr. Wilson studied under John Tropman and Gayle Rubin at the University of Michigan, and Michelle Friedner, Lauren Berlant, and Sasha Roseneil for her doctoral studies at the University of Chicago. As part of her doctoral dissertation research, Dr. Wilson conducted research in northern England, where she lived as a volunteer, in-home caregiver for elderly and low-income individuals, participated in door-knocking campaigns for grass-roots charities, and conducted participant-observations of weekly support groups for adults with dementia and adolescents facing poverty and unemployment. Her academic research in psychosocial approaches to care has been funded by the National Science Foundation, Society for Psychological Anthropology, and the American Association for University Women, among others. Her article on play therapy for adults with dementia won an essay award from the Society for Applied Anthropology.
Dr. Wilson has engaged in over 15 years of Jungian analysis with her teacher and analyst Cary Twomey, devoted to in-depth dream study, personal growth, and exploration of the unconscious. Her work with Cary has been profoundly impactful in her therapeutic approach with clients. Dr. Wilson was also a Zen meditator and practiced Zen koans for several years with Zen Master Powha Sunim and the World Zen Fellowship, including serious and intensive Zen study at Korean monasteries. She can help any client learn simple, approachable techniques for mindfulness in everyday life. She also enjoys Zumba, Ayurvedic cooking, and gardening.
Emily E. Wilson, MSW, PhD 