Find a therapist Search articles
Results / Emily Flanagan
Emily Flanagan  in
Emily Flanagan , tLMHC
She/Her/Hers

Knoxville, IA

Online only

Free initial consultation

Verified
Accepting new clients

About me

I am a compassionate, trauma-informed therapist specializing in adolescent care, body image, and eating disorders—working with clients through a Health at Every Size approach.

If we were sitting together right now, I’d first just want to say: I’m really glad you’re here.

You might be feeling exhausted. Like you’ve been trying to hold it together for a long time. Maybe things look fine from the outside, but inside, you feel overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected from your body, or unsure of who you are. Maybe your relationship with food feels out of control, or like it’s taking up way too much space in your life — emotionally, mentally, and physically.

If any of that sounds familiar, I want you to know that you’re not alone — and you don’t have to keep carrying all of this by yourself.

I work with teens, college students, and young adults who are navigating some of the hardest, most confusing parts of life. And not just big dramatic moments — but the quieter, more invisible stuff too. The self-doubt. The pressure to be “okay.” The fight with your body. The feeling of being “too much,” or never enough. The weight of perfectionism or past pain that no one else seems to see.

I specialize in helping clients who are struggling with binge eating, eating disorders, body image distress, anxiety, and depression — especially when these issues are tangled up together. I also work with clients who are processing trauma or trying to understand themselves in a new way.

Therapy with me isn’t about fixing you — because I don’t believe you’re broken.
It’s about having a space where you get to be fully seen. Where we can slow down, look at what’s actually going on underneath the surface, and work together to help you feel more connected, more grounded, and more in charge of your story.

I show up in therapy the same way I hope you can — real, warm, curious, and human. My clients often tell me they feel comfortable being themselves with me. I’ll be honest with you when it matters, and I’ll always meet you with compassion and respect. I also bring a strong clinical foundation to our work, drawing from evidence-based tools like ACT, DBT, and CBT, and integrating approaches that are trauma-informed and rooted in Health at Every Size.

If your relationship with food or your body is painful, I’m not going to ask you to focus on weight loss or restriction. I’m here to help you understand what’s underneath those patterns — and to support you in building something gentler, more sustainable, and more in line with your values.

And if you’re not even sure where to begin — that’s okay. You don’t need to come into therapy with a perfectly organized story. We’ll figure it out together.

This work can be heavy sometimes, but it can also be full of relief, laughter, growth, and unexpected joy. You don’t have to go it alone anymore. Whenever you're ready, I’m here.

The best way to get started is to schedule a free 15-minute consultation through my website.

License

Education

Fees and insurance

Specialties and clinical interests

Therapy types

Community specialties

Years in practice

1

Service types

  • Therapy / Counseling

Types of clients

  • Adolescents (13-17)
  • Adults (18+)
  • Older Adults (65+)
  • Individuals
  • Parents & Caregivers

Languages

  • English

Website and social media

Find a nearby therapist