Pathway to Us
A professional portrait of Abby Van Eman in a green sweater.

About Me

Abby Van Eman, Marriage & Family Counselor

M.Ed. in Marriage and Family Therapy
Certified Discernment Counselor

I believe in your capacity for change, healing, and growth. Life can sometimes leave us feeling stuck or uncertain, and therapy offers a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect. My approach is warm, open-minded, and collaborative, honoring your strengths while supporting meaningful self-discovery. Whether you’re navigating relational challenges, life transitions, or simply seeking greater peace and self-acceptance, I will walk alongside you with compassion, curiosity, and even a little humor.

Clinical Experience
I have worked with individuals, couples, and families in both private practice and academic settings. My therapeutic approach is integrative and tailored to each client’s unique needs. Drawing from the Gottman Method, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and attachment-based approaches, I help clients build connection, resilience, and lasting growth.
Clinical Specialties

While I support clients with a wide range of concerns, my areas of focus include men’s issues, neurodivergence, attachment wounds, life transitions, anxiety, and couple or family conflict. I work with couples at all stages of relationship—dating, premarital, cohabiting, and married—helping partners strengthen connection, improve communication, and navigate conflict in healthier ways.

I also provide discernment counseling—a short-term, structured process for couples who feel uncertain about the future of their relationship. This approach helps each partner gain clarity and confidence about whether to separate or commit to working on the relationship, always with compassion and neutrality.

Education & Advanced Training
  • M.Ed. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Lamar University
  • B.S. in Human Resource Development, University of Houston
  • Certified Discernment Counselor
  • Gottman Method Level 1 Trained
  • Currently pursuing certification in Couples & Sex Therapy through Sexual Health Alliance
Approach

My therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from person-centered, cognitive-behavioral (CBT), and psychodynamic theories. I believe in creating a warm, empathetic, and collaborative environment where you feel safe to explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment. We will work together to uncover your strengths, develop coping strategies, and create meaningful, lasting change.

  • Gottman Method
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Mindfulness
  • Attachment-Based
Outside the Office

When I'm not in the therapy room, I believe in practicing what I preach about work-life balance. In my free time, I love to travel, take my furry co-therapist Ivy on walks, and explore the beauty of Tennessee. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family and experimenting in the kitchen—whether that’s baking something new or cooking a favorite dish.

A cute dog named Ivey, sitting in a sunny spot.