Our Story

  • Plum was founded in 2025 by Emma Love, a clinical social worker dedicated to offering a creative, trauma-informed, and integrative therapy experience. Through her work, Emma has learned that simply trying to “fix” symptoms doesn’t align with her values as a therapist. She is committed to supporting clients in their journey toward deeper healing and transformation, blending traditional talk therapy with somatic approaches.

  • Plum is an homage to Emma’s past clients whose perseverance and resilience have helped them navigate difficult circumstances. The plum was chosen as the symbol of the practice because of its ability to bravely bloom in the harsh conditions of winter, bearing the sign that spring is near.

  • While Plum is a practice that seeks to cultivate perseverance and resilience, it is important to note the dual nature of these qualities: they can support our mental well-being and feel like a heavy burden. An important part of Emma’s work with clients is acknowledging the dysfunctional systems that perpetuate the very oppression and injustice we are often forced to “cope” with. Using an intersectional lens, she creates space for all of her clients’ many "parts," helping them move through shame toward experiences of joy, liberation, and self-trust.

Therapist, Emma Love, smiling, wearing hoop earrings and a light purple shirt, sitting in front of wooden background.

  • Hi there, I'm Emma (she/her), and I help my clients learn to meet themselves with compassion, build strong self-care skills, and live in alignment with who they truly are. I'm a licensed independent clinical social worker with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work. I started my journey as a psychotherapist in 2017 in North Carolina, and since then, I’ve primarily worked with adults in Washington, D.C. Through my experience in group practice as both a therapist and clinical supervisor, I refined my approach and developed a deep passion for working with complex trauma, utilizing modalities like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Somatic Experiencing (SE).

  • As a therapist, I am dedicated to creating a non-judgemental, affirming space for healing. I recognize that everyone enters therapy at different stages of life, and I'm here to meet you where you are. I use a trauma-informed lens which allows me to collaborate with you on decisions about approach, goals, pacing, and frequency of sessions. By building a foundation of safety in the body first, we can move into deeper emotional work and honest exploration as we progress. I draw from various theories and approaches such as Attachment Theory, Polyvagal Theory, Mindfulness Practices, and EMDR informed by IFS and SE. I believe that using an integrative approach is not only helpful but essential to treating you as the whole person you are.

  • As humans, we are multifaceted and unique, meaning our care should address and empower all of our parts. I am committed to creating a therapy experience that is:

    • Authentic

    • Gender-Affirming

    • Neuro-Affirming

    • Trauma-Informed

    • Transparent

Meet Emma Love: Therapist & Founder of Plum