LMFT, 10 years of experience
Hello and welcome. My name is Erika Self. I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT 112368) in the state of California. I have a Bachelor's degree from Wellesley College and a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles. Psychotherapy is about connection, the relationship between the client and the therapist. Clinically, I work to instill hope through empathy and education so individuals are empowered with increased knowledge and awareness of choices in life. Please reach out it you want to feel more grounded, have healthier relationships, and live your life with more intention. Sessions are client-driven and collaborative.
In out first session together, I'll inform you about limits of confidentiality, mandated reporting, and receiving psychotherapy via telehealth. Then we'll talk about how individual psychotherapy works (if you're a newbie) and your past experiences with mental health care. After that, I'm going to ask you a bunch of questions for the intake. I focus a lot on your family history. Then, I take what you've share and my skills to create a map that we can use to navigate your treatment.
I have lots of experiencing working with people who have mood disorders (i.e., depression, bipolar) and anxiety, but so do most therapist. I think my experience treating addiction stands out. These “disorders” are usual a response to unresolved trauma. I have worked in psychiatric hospitals (in-patient), intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, group practices, and in private clinics with folks from all walks of life. My strengths are my ability to listen, educate, and conceptualize my clients' lived experiences. Here are treatment methods that I integrate into my work and your care: Attachment-based Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) Compassion Focused Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Family Systems Interpersonal Multicultural Psychodynamic Relational Somatic
I love working with intelligent, creative, and sensitive adult clients who are haunted by painful feelings (i.e., sadness, fear, anger) from childhood trauma. These "ghosts" usually pop-up with intimate partners and at work, causing constant worry, insecurities, and stress. There might even be a tendency to avoid these feelings through drugs and alcohol, disordered eating, and self-injury (e.g., cutting). I can share information through education, provide an sympathetic ear, and give you tools you can utilize to cope in healthy and safe ways. www.selfmft.com
Attachment-based treatments look at the relationship we had with our primary caregivers and how that has impacted how we feel and interact with ourselves, others, and the world.
CBT helps us to learn about the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and ways that we can create new ways of thinking and behaving to positively impact our moods.
Compassion-focused therapy takes concepts from self-compassion, mindfulness, and CBT to help shift that way we relate to our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings from a place of criticism and judgment to one of understanding and acceptance.
This means that I, as a mental health clinician, am aware of the intersectionality of culture (i.e., gender, race, language, body, ability, age, socio-economic status, etc) and how that impacts individuals both inside and outside of the psychotherapy space. This includes an awareness of my own biases.
EFT is the "brain child" of Dr. Sue Johnson, who believed that we can create deep meaningful connections in our lives if we are willing to make spaces for emotions, which can serve as guides.
4 ratings with written reviews
May 9, 2025
Erika is incredibly thoughtful, intelligent and warm. She is always reading, learning, deepening her understanding and consulting research. She helped me make huge strides with my anxiety and trauma triggers. I am beyond grateful for the time I had with her. Highly, highly recommend.
April 25, 2025
Talking with her is like talking with a good friend, but at the same time is clearly experienced in her area of expertise/
April 19, 2025
Erika takes a grounded, holistic approach to therapy that allowed me to open up, understand what support I needed and identify the strengths I bring.