Joe Emick

He has designed and implemented weekly trauma art therapy groups and three-day intensive sessions focused on addiction interaction for patients struggling with substance use, trauma, and other behavioral compulsivity issues.

Joe has worked at Caron since 2011 focusing on addiction and relapse issues; sexual, physical, and developmental traumas; LGTBQIA+ issues; and internal family system dynamics. Prior to coming to Caron, he worked with various populations at the National Institutes of Health Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, and the George Washington Art Therapy Trauma Clinic in Alexandria, Virginia. Joe practiced architecture for 25 years before moving into the counseling profession.

In recovery for almost two decades, Joe has had experience as an addict, a patient, and as a counselor, giving him a deep understanding of the specific issues that come with struggle and change. He is passionate about creating a safe container to explore difficult topics with creative methods and approaches. He is passionate about creating a safe container to explore difficult topics with novel methods and approaches.

Joe is a licensed professional counselor, a certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor, and a certified sex and multiple addictions therapist. He has a Master of Arts in art therapy and counseling from George Washington University, Washington, DC.