I am a licensed clinical professional counselor and my work is focused on adolescents and adults experiencing issues related to depression, anxiety, peer conflict, parenting issues, technology/social media use, intimate partner conflict, and major life transitions (e.g. first-time parenting, leaving for college, returning to work, divorce, empty nest). I am a solution-focused therapist who utilizes an array of evidence-based techniques (such as CBT, positive psychology, schema therapy, and psycho-education) that capitalize on clients’ innate strengths. I operate from a systems mentality appreciating the role of environment in personal challenges. I recognize the relationship between the therapist and the client as a critical factor in therapeutic success and always seek to understand the big picture of a client’s life before attempting to diagnose and treat mental health issues. Once issues are clear, I work with clients to co-create a plan of action. I view problems as opportunities for growth and I focus on self-efficacy in order to empower clients to create the life they want. While we can all benefit from an emotional tune-up with a therapist from time to time, my goal is to help clients adopt new behaviors and develop new emotional skills that allow them to problem-solve on their own once therapy ends.
Professional Experience
I received my Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Johns Hopkins University and have a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California. I completed my clinical internship at the YWCA of Annapolis where I worked with both trauma survivors and court-ordered offenders of sexual assault and domestic violence individually and in groups. Outside private practice, I have presented locally and internationally on the subject of technology, social media, and mental health sharing research-based wisdom about healthy use. I have held an adjunct professorship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education where I taught a graduate course I created on the impact of social media on mental health and the practice of counseling. Mental health counseling is a second career for me. In my previous career, I was a non-profit executive and cabinet-level gubernatorial advisor focusing on women’s issues, work & family, elder care, volunteerism, and youth mentorship. Early in my career, I received a fellowship from the White House that I used to create a mentoring program for teen moms which aimed to help them build life skills and prepare for college. Social advocacy and women’s empowerment is a big part of my world view and the totality of my life experience informs my therapeutic approach.
Life Outside the Office
My husband and I have been married since 2001. Together, we are raising our 3 children – twin sons who are sophomores in college and a daughter who is a senior in high school. I enjoy volunteering and traveling abroad with my family, seeing Broadway shows, rooting for the Orioles, and spending time on the Severn River. I was born and raised in southern California, but have happily called Maryland home since 1996.
Erin primarily provides telehealth services, but practices in the Severna Park office on a case-by-case basis. She also offers group presentations to communities and schools on the subject of social media/technology and mental health. Erin is an out-of-network provider. For more information on her social media-related services, check out our blog!