Emmerson Hayes, M.A.
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student
Meet Emmerson Hayes, a doctoral student pursuing her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sport Management from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, where she was also a four-year member of the women's ice hockey team. Her experiences as a collegiate athlete fostered her interest in understanding the connection between mental health, resilience, and performance.
Emme has clinical experience providing school-based mental health services to middle and high school students, supporting youth experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional and behavioral concerns, peer relationship difficulties, and life transitions. She collaborated closely with students, families, teachers, and multidisciplinary teams to promote emotional well-being, strengthen coping skills, and support academic and social success. Prior to her work in schools, she completed an internship with the Age and Dementia Friendly Unit of SeniorCare, where she developed a strong foundation in person-centered care while working with older adults and their families.
Emme's therapeutic approach is collaborative, strengths-based, and culturally responsive. She primarily draws from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) while incorporating mindfulness, solution-focused techniques, and developmentally appropriate interventions to meet each client's unique needs. She is committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to achieve their goals. Her doctoral research examines the impact of early sport specialization on the psychological well-being of collegiate athletes, with the goal of contributing to best practices that support healthy development and long-term success in sport.