Hello! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Art therapist (ATR). I received my masters degree from Wayne State University in Detroit in 2014. Before becoming a therapist a little later in life (I graduated at 38), I taught yoga for many years. I also teach mindfulness meditation and find that those skills are incredibly useful in therapy. I help people who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and the aftermath of trauma. I have worked with college students and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and child sexual abuse for the past 11 years.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

The first session is a time for you to express what it is you have come to therapy to work on and what you would like to get out of our time together. If I have an idea of what you are looking for I can tailor sessions to your unique needs. If you are not sure of exactly what has brought you to therapy other than general life dissatisfaction I will ask questions that will help us both get a better understanding of what direction to go in. It is also a time for you to ask me questions about therapy and how it works especially if it is your first time experiencing it. Therapy can follow a straight line sometimes, but I often see it taking many paths and those are not always evident the first time we meet, therefore I am open to the path changing as you and I gain greater awareness of your particular needs.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I feel that I have a great deal of life experience and have had years of therapy myself which helps me understand how the process works. I am fully committed in this life to support myself and others in finding within themselves their true nature and healing the parts of them that stand in the way of experiencing it. I spend a lot of time honing this art form, as I truly believe therapy is an art form, and that comes in the form of reading, seeking supervision with professionals when needed, and going to continuing education workshops and trainings.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

As a therapist, my services are geared towards the development of self awareness and self-compassion, grounded in the present moment to nurture that growth. Having grown up in Detroit in a multiracial family of creative people, I am also well-suited to clients who live in marginalized spaces - as we face unique challenges from mainstream society. From my perspective, an effective therapist is willing to courageously and compassionately accompany each person into the depths of pain. My sincerest wish is that I can sit with each person and embody a safe space of non judgement and compassion.

About Erika Budson