Hi, I’m Erica!
I became a therapist because I’ve always been curious about people. Why we do what we do, how our relationships shape us, and why knowing better doesn’t always mean doing differently.
As a therapist, I’m warm, curious, and pretty conversational. I’m not going to sit silently across from you and occasionally ask, “And how does that make you feel?” I’ll ask questions, point out patterns, help you connect some dots, and gently challenge you when I think it might be helpful.
More than anything, I want you to feel like you can actually be yourself in therapy. You don't have to say the “right” thing, have your thoughts organized, or leave your sense of humor at the door.
Therapy isn't about becoming a different person.
It's about understanding yourself well enough to recognize what's working, what's not, and what you want to do differently.
We'll pay attention to the patterns that keep showing up in your relationships, your thoughts, and the way you respond when you're overwhelmed. We'll get curious about where those patterns came from and whether they're still working for you.
Some things we'll work on changing. Some things we'll work on accepting. And some things we'll realize made sense at one point, but don't really fit your life anymore.
My Background and Approach
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I earned my Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University Santa Barbara. I am also a proud alumni of UC Santa Barbara.
I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of California and offer both in-person and online therapy for those residing in the state.
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My clinical experience has given me the opportunity to work with people across different stages of life and in a variety of settings. I began my career supporting family caregivers of a loved one with dementia, later providing school-based mental health services to high school students, and have spent the past several years working in private practice with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. These experiences have shaped the way I practice today—with an appreciation for the relationships, life experiences, and transitions that shape who we are and how we move through the world.
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My approach is integrative and personalized. I draw from:
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), to help you relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings, get clear on what matters to you, and make choices that align with your values
Attachment-based and relational therapy, to understand how your past relationships and experiences may shape the way you connect with yourself and others today
Psychodynamic therapy, to get curious about where patterns come from and why they keep showing up
Narrative therapy, to examine the stories you’ve come to believe about yourself and your life, and decide which ones still fit and which ones you might want to rewrite
CBT, to notice unhelpful thought patterns, consider different perspectives, and develop practical ways to respond
That’s therapist-speak for: we’ll work on understanding why you feel and react the way you do, while also figuring out what to do with that understanding. You don’t have to believe every thought your brain throws at you, and you don’t have to have everything figured out before we start.
A few things about me:
I’m a California girl through and through. Give me the beach, sunshine, and being outside whenever possible!
I’m a proud dog mom to Jimbo, who often makes guest appearances in my online sessions.
I’m a big believer that two things can be true at once (and will probably remind you of this in therapy).
I love a good true crime documentary, reality TV, and anything that gives me something to overanalyze.
I believe therapy can hold really hard things and still have room for laughter.
Let’s talk and see if therapy might be a good next step.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions, tell me a little about what you're looking for, and see if we might be a good fit.