About Me

Dr. Linda Nicole Bakely is a Doctor of Social Work and independently licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma, PTSD, substance use recovery, emotional regulation, attachment, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, and major life transitions. She provides trauma-informed virtual psychotherapy to adults in the states where she is licensed.

Dr. Bakely also provides adult autism evaluations informed by specialized training in adult differential diagnosis and ADOS-2 Module 4 administration. She is particularly attentive to the experiences of late-identified and high-masking adults, including women and individuals with co-occurring ADHD, trauma, anxiety, depression, or a history of substance use recovery.

Dr. Bakely completed EMDRIA-Approved EMDR Basic Training in 2019. Her clinical approach incorporates EMDR, Addiction-Focused EMDR, DeTUR, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and Internal Family Systems-informed care. Her additional training includes Applied Behavior Analysis, the Safe and Sound Protocol, HeartMath, crisis intervention, and suicide-risk assessment.

Since 2009, Dr. Bakely has worked in behavioral health, education, and human services settings, including residential substance use treatment, family-based mental health services, child advocacy, autism services, crisis intervention, and private practice. She has extensive experience providing individual and group psychotherapy, biopsychosocial assessment, DSM-5 diagnosis, suicide-risk assessment, treatment planning, relapse-prevention services, clinical documentation, discharge planning, interdisciplinary care, and supervision of social work interns.

Dr. Bakely earned her Doctor of Social Work from Tulane University, a Master of Social Work from Fordham University, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts in English from Rowan University, and an Associate of Science in Psychology from Rowan College of South Jersey.

Her doctoral research focuses on EMDR-based interventions for adults with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders. She authored a systematic review and meta-analysis examining EMDR-based interventions for trauma-related triggers and substance-related craving, submitted to the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment. She served as Principal Investigator on an NIH/NIDA R34 pilot clinical trial application evaluating Addiction-Focused EMDR with the DeTUR protocol; the application completed NIH Scientific Review Group review in August 2026.

Dr. Bakely is a member of the EMDR International Association, National Association of Social Workers, American Psychological Association, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys reading, creative pursuits, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and outdoor activities involving water and mountains.