Hey, I'm Erin, and I love being a mental health counselor. I started my career as a preschool teacher, determined to save the world one child at a time. My father, the original Cooley, was a social worker who inspired my love of working with and helping people. Wanting to make a greater impact on the success of children and families, I pursued a Masters in Counseling. This began my journey into the world of mental health and it has truly been a journey of purpose for me. I tell my clients that I am a "geek" for counseling and I am always absorbing new information about the mental health field. I have been working as a trauma-informed therapist for many years. I am trained/certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and, more recently, EMDR. I take into account the whole person, understanding that many factors make up health. I am creative in utilizing many modalities to help you achieve your goals with your mental health and overall well-being. I deeply believe in the natural desire for each person to reach wholeness and believe you are the expert of yourself. I desire to guide, support and challenge you to reach your fullest, actualized self.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
First, we meet and make sure we are a good fit. Having a counselor that feels right to you and has the skillset and understanding of your concerns is important. We talk about why now, and what brought you into therapy, which I understand is a very challenging and frightening thing to do at times. We talk about your health, your relationships and your beliefs. Then we talk about the events that may have contributed to your current symptoms. Together we come up with a plan to reduce your symptoms and increase feelings of positivity and wellness. We create lasting change and growth.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I utilize unconditional positive regard, meaning as my client there will be no judgment and I support you as the expert of yourself. I use a variety of evidence-based modalities of treatment such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, Cognitive processing therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), as well as mindfulness and meditation techniques.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My biggest strengths lie in my understanding of how trauma can underpin so many of our current mental and physical symptoms. I also have extensive knowledge of human development and have years of parenting education under my belt as well. I work with humans who suffer from anxiety, depression and/or burnout.