Life is hard, and it’s going to keep being hard, but my goal in therapy is to help you feel more qualified to handle it! If there’s one thing we know for sure, curveballs are going to keep being thrown, but therapy can help improve your swing! My approach to therapy is not to make the bad feelings or hard times go away, it’s to make sure you have the tools in your toolbox to feel equipped and empowered to build the life you want. As your therapist, I aim to have as many types of hammers, saws, and drills as possible available so we can create your own personalized set of tools for life. I have many years of experience working with people of all ages around trauma, domestic and sexual violence, suicidality and depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, and LGBTQIA+ issues. I have worked with individuals, groups, and families. By having a master’s degree in forensic and legal psychology as well as counseling, I have been able to build a unique set of skills that can be specifically helpful to people who have been impacted by crime and/or may be involved with the criminal justice system, as that can be an intense experience. I always begin from trauma-informed, person-centered lens in therapy. I work from a foundation of empathy and unconditional positive regard, and I place a lot of emphasis on building rapport and strengthening the therapeutic relationship. Many of the interventions I reach for are based in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical- Behavioral Therapy, but I am also very interested in empowerment therapy, narrative therapy, and Relational Cultural Therapy. I also love doing inner child work and other forms of Internal Family Systems or “parts” work.
Though I have worked with clients aged 5 to 95, I do have a soft spot in my heart for teens and young adults. Through my work with families, I developed a skill I like to call “teen translator”, where I can serve as a mediator for conflicts between teens and parents to improve communication and make sure everyone feels heard and understood. My friends often tease me for having a “Gen Z accent”, which can be helpful if you have no idea what your teen is talking about!
Starting with a new therapist can feel overwhelming and scary, but I’m so happy you’re here! I consider it an honor whenever anyone chooses to trust me as their therapist, and it would be an honor to be able to work with you. Let’s see if we make a great team!
Biography
Erin graduated from Wake Forest University in 2018 with her B.A. inPsychology, as well as a B.A. in Theater, (and does consider herself to be a theater kid in remission). She moved to D.C. after graduating and worked in various community mental health and advocacy organizations before attending Marymount University in Arlington, VA. There, Erin obtained both an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and an M.A. in Forensic and Legal Psychology. She spent her internship working with victims and survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence for Fairfax County and volunteered as a court advocate. Erin used to visit Kure Beach with her family every summer while growing up which led her to move here after graduating in 2023. She wanted to give that gift to her inner child after making her be in school for so long! Erin loves to walk on the beach and look for shells, especially if her beloved dog, Mari, is with her. Erin loves to read, play video games, and start, but never finish, various craft projects!