Research Interests

pop culture and psychology, tattoos and trauma healing

Biography

Emily (Em) Marinelli, M.A., LMFT, (they/them) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Supervisor in San Francisco. Emily earned their M.A. in Counseling Psychology in CIIS’s Community Mental Health program in 2011 and a B.A. in Women’s Studies from California State University, Long Beach.

As a therapist, they use the wellness and recovery model, liberation psychology, social justice and humanistic approaches. They specialize in working with: couples, queer and trans folks, trauma recovery, artists/performers, and addiction/codependency.

Em believes that pop culture and activism are healing modalities and incorporates them into the therapeutic process. In addition to teaching core courses in the ICP program, they teach an elective “Between Two Worlds: Depth Psychology in Twin Peaks,” based on their favorite cult TV show. Em loves tattoos and hosts the “Twin Peaks Tattoo Podcast,” where they interview the community about their Twin Peaks tattoos and what their ink means to them.

Their debut memoir Comfort Sequels: The Psychology of Movie Sequels from the 80’s and 90’s, was published in 2024 by Fayetteville Mafia Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster. They are co-authoring a book on trauma and Twin Peaks and writing an oral history about the indie film Trees Lounge.

Emily adores the CIIS community and is honored to continue to do what they love; teaching other therapists.

Follow them online at @emsmarinelli

Education

M.A. in Counseling Psychology in Community Mental Health, California Institute of Integral Studies

B.A. in Women’s Studies, California State University, Long Beach

Courses

Psychodynamics, Alcohol and Chemical Dependency, Clinical Relationship, Human Sexuality, Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Between Two Worlds: Depth Psychology and Twin Peaks

Publications

Marinelli, E. (2024). Comfort sequels: The psychology of movie sequels from the 80's and 90's., Fayetteville Mafia Press. .

Marinelli, E. (2022). The hermit as harold smith. Blue Rose Magazine, 17, 14-15.

Ryan, E. & Marinelli, E. (2022). The mysterious man, Blue Rose Magazine, 17, 18.

Berthold, T., Wenzl, C. and Marinelli, E. (2016). (Ed.) Care Management. In T. Berthold (Ed.) Foundations for community health workers 2nd Edition (pp. 259-299). San Francisco, CA: Josses-Bass Publishing.

Berthold, T., Wenzl, C. and Marinelli, E. (2016). (Ed.) Home Visiting. In T. Berthold (Ed.) Foundations for community health workers 2nd Edition (pp. 299-219). San Francisco, CA: Josses-Bass Publishing.

Berthold, T., Wenzl, C. and Marinelli, E. (2016). (Ed.) Health Outreach. In T. Berthold (Ed.) Foundations for community health workers 2nd Edition (pp. 549-577). San Francisco, CA: Josses-Bass Publishing.