Erika Smith, LMFT
Get Started With Erika:
- Child Therapy
- Therapy for Adolescents
- Therapy for Adults
- Family Therapy
The therapy I provide focuses on children, adolescents, families and adults. My clinical experience involves those afflicted by depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, grief and transitions. I believe that our emotional health carries an important role in the development of our lives, whether we are going to school, working at our jobs, in the home with family, or interacting within our community. In sessions, I support clients by addressing current challenges, working through past unresolved events and feelings, strengthening coping skills and personal reassurance. There is a focus on issues related to attachment, the family structure and roles within it. My practice also supports individuals by giving them a voice and a better understanding of themselves as well as their connections to their environment.
An important part of my work allows children and their caregivers to work as a team to achieve therapeutic goals. I welcome caregivers to participate in child’s therapeutic work by providing parent consultations, check-in’s and when appropriate, facilitating parent-child sessions. One modality which I use with younger children is play therapy. Play is a natural and developmentally appropriate way for children to communicate and interpret the world. As a therapist, I strive to provide a safe space and interpret their play or behavior to address the child’s therapeutic goals. In sessions, children are able to work through challenges, gain insight and practice healthy coping skills.
Children and adolescents can face diverse challenges in this developmental stage of their life. Therapy is a professional and non-judgmental space where children and adolescents can explore and face their experiences. These may include: trauma, transitions, stressors, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, self-identity, extracurricular and school performance issues, difficulty with attention and lastly, challenges with peers and family. Therefore, my work with each child and adolescent is unique and specific. The therapeutic approach and interventions applied are chosen by my client’s needs and goals. Although I practice through a person center, strength-based approach, when appropriate and beneficial, I will apply direct interventions such as CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) and Solution Focus.
Likewise, when working with adults, our sessions focus on providing a safe environment for my clients to process their experiences and work through their feelings. I feel it is imperative that those seeking therapy find a way to learn and practice the valuable coping skills they need to overcome their obstacles. It is important for individuals to learn how to draw on inner strengths and build vital communication methods to connect and collaborate with resources available.
Get in Touch
erika.a.smithLMFT@gmail.com
Find my office!
Give me a ring
Mon - Sat | Day and Evening Availability
English