Erica Atkinson
If you are reading this, you might be exhausted from trying to hold it all together. Whether you are an adult dealing with constant overthinking, or a teenager trying to navigate a world that feels incredibly stressful, I want you to know one thing: this is a space to be yourself. You do not have to perform here. You do not have to put on a brave face, use perfect words, or have anything figured out. You can just show up, vent, and let the walls down. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and I have spent the last 10+ years working in community care, hospital crisis settings, and the juvenile justice system. Because of that background, I don't shock easily, and I won't panic if your life feels messy right now. I have sat with people through some of their darkest and most chaotic chapters. My goal isn't to judge you or give you a cookie-cutter lecture; it’s to provide a steady, calm, and grounded environment where you feel entirely safe. Whether you just need a dedicated place to talk, or you are ready to learn new ways to manage the heavy days, you don't have to do it alone. Let's get started.
First session
Your first session is simply a chance for us to get to know each other. Think of it as an informal interview and a collaborative assessment, not a test you need to pass. You do not need to have everything perfectly stated or figured out on day one. In my 10+ years of practice, I have learned that the most important details naturally come to the surface over time as we build trust.Patience is a virtue in therapy. If you are expecting an instant diagnosis or a rigid, finalized treatment plan right away, please know that real healing takes time. It often takes up to three sessions for us to truly figure out the root of what is going on and map out a tailored plan together.Our first hour is about lowering your guard, sharing what you feel comfortable sharing, and ensuring you feel safe and heard. There is no rush.
Strengths
Because I have practiced in high-stakes environments like hospital crisis rooms and justice systems, the strengths I bring to our sessions go beyond textbook training: - Unshakeable Grounding: You never have to worry that your thoughts are "too dark" or "too messy" for me. I am built to be a steady anchor when your world feels chaotic. - Breaking Through the Walls: I specialize in building trust with people who usually hate talking to therapists. If you or your teen have built up high walls to protect yourselves, I know how to meet you human-to-human without pushing you away. - Real-World Adaptability: Life doesn't fit into a clinical box, so my therapy shouldn't either. We look at your actual daily stressors and build tools that work in your real life, not a textbook.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who is ready to move from just surviving to actively healing.You might be feeling completely overwhelmed by anxiety, weighed down by depression, or just exhausted from trying to hold it all together... and that is completely okay. You don't need to have your life figured out. However, you are someone who is serious about making a real change in your life. I work best with adults and adolescents who are dedicated to the therapy process. This means you aren't just looking for a temporary band-aid or someone to agree with you in silence. You want an active partnership. You are ready to show up authentically, look honestly at what’s keeping you stuck, and put practical tools into practice outside of our sessions. If you are motivated to do the heavy lifting to reclaim your peace of mind, we will make an incredible team.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), an evidence-based method designed to help adults and adolescents safely process trauma, stress, and deep anxiety. My approach focuses on identifying your "stuck points," the unhelpful, automatic thoughts like "I can't trust anyone" or "It's my fault" that keep you trapped in fear or guilt. Rather than lecturing you, I use a collaborative questioning style to help you gently challenge these beliefs and rebuild your sense of safety, trust, control, self-esteem, and intimacy. Best of all, I do not force you to vividly retell or relive every graphic detail of your past over and over again. Instead, we focus on the meanings you attached to those events, using structured, real-world tools that help you change negative thought loops in your actual day-to-day life.
Faith based therapy
As a Christian therapist, I love integrating biblical principles alongside evidence-based practices like CBT and CPT for clients who desire a faith-based approach. Scripture often speaks about renewing our minds and taking thoughts captive, which beautifully mirrors how we challenge unhelpful "stuck points" in therapy. I provide a grace-filled, compassionate space where we can lean on scripture, prayer, and faith as foundational pillars of your healing journey. However, your comfort level always guides our sessions. I never impose my beliefs on anyone, and I am fully committed to meeting you exactly where you are on your personal spiritual path.
Motivational Interviewing
I incorporate Motivational Interviewing into our sessions to help you uncover your own internal drive and readiness for change. Rather than telling you what to do or giving cookie-cutter advice, I act as a collaborative partner to help you identify your specific personal barriers and motivational factors. Together, we will safely explore any mixed feelings or hesitation you might have about making shifts in your life. This method allows us to honor exactly where you are today, while gently empowering you to discover your own "why" and build the confidence needed to take control of your future.
Location
Virtual sessions