Provider Bio

Ema Gascon, MSW, LCSW is a behavioral and mental health therapist with Women's Healthcare Associates in Portland, Oregon.

From the Provider

“I want every person to feel truly seen, cared for and supported—but most of all, to feel confident in the skills they’ve developed, their ability to advocate for their own needs and to care for themselves.”

About the Provider

Ema’s lifelong interest in disability and chronic illness was her entry point to perinatal mental health—recognizing that physical health conditions and disability during the perinatal period increase the risk of mental health issues and factors such as medication management, ongoing treatment, healthcare access, support systems and more unique to those with disability and chronic illness can exacerbate this risk. As someone with chronic health conditions, Ema recognizes the profound impact believing people can have in a therapeutic relationship and sees validating the experience of her patients as the first step in helping them develop new skills. She has experience and a special interest in working with people on the autism spectrum; those who identify as LGBTQIA+; people who have children with chronic illness; pregnancies complicated by chronic illness; and those balancing work, new parenting, and the grief that sometimes goes along with evolving identities and relationships. Her approach includes elements of dialectical behavior therapy, was well as conflict and feminist theories that emphasize developing coping skills and managing through situations that can’t necessarily be changed.

When she isn’t working or spending time with her spouse and two toddlers, Ema enjoys crafts, reading and creating book nooks.

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Certifications

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers, 2023

Education

• Graduate Degree:

  Master of Social Work, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, 2020

• Undergraduate Degree:

  Bachelor of Science, Psychology and Social Science, Portland State University, 2015