A person wearing a green bandana, pink-tinted sunglasses, rainbow tassel earrings, and a layered necklace. They are smiling and dressed in a colorful tie-dye shirt with a green jacket draped over their shoulders, standing in a room with indoor plants and artwork in the background.

Eme Swaggthorne, LPC, ATR-P

Provisional Registered Art Therapist

Lead Therapist at Snow Lake Counseling

Licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin

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Availability: In-person & virtual

Pronouns: They/Them

I identify as: Queer

Populations Served: individuals | Age18+

Specialties: Anxiety, ASD, ADHD, bipolar, BPD, body image, chronic illness, depression, emotional regulation & identification, erectile dysfunction, gender identity, grief & loss, kink/BDSM, trauma & PTSD, men’s issues, polyamory, LGBTQ+, relationship issues, personality disorders, learning disabilities, low self-esteem, OCD, HIV/STI support

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“To say what one wants to say is a magnificent act of creation." 

-Erving and Miriam Polster

Art therapist and queer therapist in Logan Square.

My Therapeutic Approach

We’re shaped by the people, places, and experiences we’ve encountered, and none of us makes it through life without some bumps and bruises. Therapy is a space to tend to those places, to make meaning, and to rediscover yourself.

My approach blends Gestalt and Adlerian theory within a person-centered, strengths-based framework. In simpler terms, I work with all of you, not just the situations, the symptoms, or the labels. As an art psychotherapist, I often bring in art making as another language for expression and insight. I’m also comfortable providing a traditional talk-therapy experience if that’s what fits you best.

In a world that often rewards not feeling, we’ll practice feeling again, safely, slowly, and together. I’m passionate about creating a supportive, affirming, and non-judgmental space where you feel seen and understood. Our work is collaborative: your lived experience and my clinical training come together in a partnership designed to support your growth and healing.

My approach is sex-positive, inclusive, and grounded in honoring your whole self: your history, your present, and the future you’re working toward. Together, we’ll explore who you are, what matters to you, and what healing and thriving can look like in your language, your pace, and your way. 

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  • I truly believe that therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. Everyone shows up with their own story, strengths, and ways of processing, so I focus on being present with you and adapting my approach to meet your unique needs. I draw from person-centered and Adlerian perspectives, which help me understand not just where you’ve been, but who you are today and where you want to go. At the heart of it all, our relationship matters. I aim to create a space where you feel safe, supported, and free to explore whatever’s on your mind and heart.

  • Art has a powerful way of connecting with people—beyond words, beyond background. In therapy, it becomes so much more than creative expression; it’s a tool for processing, healing, and deepening connection with yourself and others.

    Art allows you to express what might be too complex or painful to put into words. It invites you to share your inner world and actively shape your healing in a way that feels authentic and empowering.

    When we bring art into the therapy room, it opens doors. It builds trust, fosters self-acceptance, and offers a strong sense of agency in your growth.

    At its heart, art-making creates space—space to feel, to reflect, and to just be. And in the midst of life’s challenges, that space can be profoundly healing.

  • My goal in therapy is to work with each person in a way that’s tailored to their needs, priorities, and ways of communicating. Together, we’ll shape our time so it feels meaningful, respectful, and truly supportive of what matters most to you.

    • LGBTQ+: As a queer therapist, I care deeply about supporting healing within the LGBTQ+ community. I believe that real change begins with individual care, so offering LGBTQ+ affirming therapy isn’t just important to me—it’s central to the work I do.I offer a safe space to explore both shared and unique challenges, supporting your growth and healing in a way that feels right for you.

    • Kink/BDSM: You don’t have to explain or defend who you are here—this is a space where all of you is welcome.

    • Autism spectrum: Art therapy can offer calming, sensory experiences that feel grounding and soothing. It also gives space to communicate thoughts and emotions that might be tough to say out loud.

    • Intellectual & developmental disabilities: I am passionate about providing care and advocacy in a world that often creates unnecessary barriers.

    • Gender Identity: I provide gender-affirming care and have experience helping clients navigate the complex and vulnerable process of exploring their gender identity with support and understanding.

  • Like you, I am a full person beyond our therapy sessions. I am an eclectic artist and musician, and enjoy spending my time engaging with the many different facets of the queer community. At home, I find peace in baking, exercising, meditating, spending time with my family, and going on walks with my dog.

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