Jennifer Erickson
Hi, its nice to meet you. I have been a therapist for a decade now. Before being a therapist, I spent 20 years in Healthcare Administration with 17 of those in management. I share this because I understand the stress that comes with the "corp" world and management. After 20 years, I decided to change careers and utilize my skills in coaching and mentoring. I received my Master's in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. I am a health and wellness focused licensed professional counselor, so I spend time talking about how to balance your life, your stress, and ensure you are having some fun in your life.
My goal is to help people move their life forward, and for that reason, I don't do a lot of long-term therapy.
Therapeutically I'm very eclectic. I use different techniques based on your needs. That being said, yes, I use CBT, DBT, REBT, talk therapy, and assessments as most therapists do. My primary focus is all types of Anxiety, ADHD testing in adults, Executive Functioning, Self-Confidence, Life Changes, and Couples/Relationship Counseling. I do have a "day job" so the work I do through Grow is part time, evening and most Saturdays.
First session
In our first session we will review what has prompted your need for counseling. I keep it pretty simple, I need to get to know you, that is how I make this person-centered. From then on, we set goals, and I bring homework for you to complete in and out of session. Again, solution focused therapy is about setting measurable goals. My process is not about rehashing the past, but rather it is focused on how you want your tomorrow to be.
Strengths
One of my biggest strengths as a therapist is that I have not spent my life as a therapist. This is a second career, so I can relate to a lot of life events as a "person" and not just as a therapist. I've changed careers, I've raised kids, I've been divorced, I've re-dated/married as an older adult, I have addiction in my family, I have physical injuries I deal with, and I have hobbies and passions that I try to work on. I strength that many clients tell me I have is that I am pretty direct. Now, that may not match your personality, so consider that. But I do tend to call things out because I feel that is a therapist's job, to tell you what you need to hear.
Ideal clients
I really enjoy using a solution focused strategies to help couples with relationship issues. With Solution Focused Marriage Counseling, the goal is to be done in 12 sessions. The goal is to learn lessons and then practice. And anyone who wants to gain self-confidence, reduce anxiety/worry, improve their stress coping skills. I've got techniques to help. The goal is not to repeat the "fight of the week" but rather learn how to communicate so that you can re-discuss the issues.
Treatment methods
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Brief solution focused therapy is about determining the goals you have for yourself and then us discussing what you need to achieve those goals. Once we know what you are looking for, I will use different techniques to help you. Those techniques can include CBT, DBT, Exposure, Cognitive Reframing, Cognitive Challenging, and REBT to list a few.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Person centered treatment means that I want to get to know you. While there are standard techniques such as CBT, Talk Therapy, etc, I want to engage you in specific discussions or challenges that match you.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is about challenging either behaviors or beliefs. I will get to know you, your struggle, and your goal, and then use techniques that help you change a behavior or a believe, and maybe even both. Usually if we can change one of them, it will impact the other, and you will find a new path that meets your goals in life.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
REBT is about rationally looking at our emotional response. We will break down the "why" behind how we fell the way we do. It is not right or wrong, we will just talk so you can understand yourself, and then you can decide, is this type of thinking, feeling, and reacting working for me.
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling can be hard and uncomfortable, but I try to make it education, by using a Solution Focused approach. If you are looking for communication skills, boundary development skills, acceptance of each other skills, and more, this will be a fun collaboration. If you have deeply emotional things to work through, you might look for someone who focuses on EFT (emotion focused therapy), as I am not specialized in an emotional focused session.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Christian
White
Woman
Top specialties
Anxiety
Health/Medical Issues
Military/Veterans
Other specialties
Chronic Illness
Coping Skills
Grief
Life Transitions
Peer Relationships
Physical Health Condition
Postpartum
Self Esteem
Women's Issues
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Individual Therapy