About Me

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Hi, I’m Erika. I am a bicultural, bilingual licensed clinical social worker in California (LCSW #99293). I identify as Mexican American and I am the first in my family to be born in the US, the first to receive an undergraduate degree, and the first to complete a graduate degree.

Being the first came with a lot of self-imposed pressure. This wasn’t going to be a game of trial and error; I was going to be the best. I know what it’s like for anxiety to take over. I remember being trapped in cycles of rumination and spirals of endless worry. Did I make the wrong decision? What if I made a mistake and it leads to serious consequences? I shouldn’t have done that. I should have done XYZ instead. Can I fix it? Is it too late?

I understand how paralyzing anxiety can be. But, you don’t have to stay stuck in the cycle of fear and worry. I will help you break free from the cycle of anxiety using proven, evidence-based tools.

This is therapy that works. Let’s start today.

Therapy is about action, progress, and lasting change.

I work best with clients who are ready to:

  • Understand the cycle of anxiety.

  • Take an active role in their treatment.

  • Try evidence-based strategies, even if they are uncomfortable at first.

  • Embrace challenges and push themselves to do difficult things.

  • Face their fears with my support.

  • Practice skills between sessions to build lasting change.

I am not the therapist for you if:

  • You just want to vent

  • You are looking for traditional talk therapy.

  • You are not ready to commit to trying new skills.

  • You are comfortable with your life as it is.

  • You are looking for a quick fix.

My goals for you:

  • Learn strategies to manage your anxiety.

  • Realize that you are capable of doing hard things.

  • Reduce avoidant behaviors.

  • Rewire anxious thinking patterns.

  • Build resilience.

  • Live a life that aligns with what truly matters to you.

  • Create lasting change.

  • Graduate therapy feeling confident & empowered.

You are capable of doing hard things

Clinical Experience

Education

University of California, Davis (2012)

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, double minors in Human Development & Communications

California State University, Long Beach (2017)

  • Master of Social Work with a specialization in Integrated Health

Post Graduate Supervision & Clinical Hours

In order to obtain my licensure, I completed 3,000 hours of supervised clinical work. This training provided me with clinical skills and knowledge to effectively support my clients. I am committed to continuous learning to enhance the service I offer and attend clinical trainings through out the year.

Licensure & Credentials

California Licensed Clinical Social Worker #99293

Clinical Background & Experience

Through this work, I've discovered that my greatest passion in therapy lies in empowering people to develop the skills needed to live a life worth loving.

In addition to practicums in mental health settings, I have 8 years of experience providing full time psychotherapy and over 6 years of experience conducting research on evidence-based therapy.

Certified in…

I am certified in cognitive behavioral therapy through the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies and in Interpersonal Psychotherapy through the IPT Institute.

Trained in…

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)

  • Behavioral Activation (BA)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT)

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Prolonged Exposure (PE)

  • Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)