She/hers
Licensed Professional Counselor (OR)
Resident in Counseling (VA)
I provide therapy, anti-bias consulting and facilitation in a passionate pursuit of creating inclusive, affirming spaces for people of all abilities, identities, cultures, and experiences. Growing up Jewish, and then raising Jewish children, in the South, provided me a unique window into the loneliness of “othering” and helping people to feel less alone motivates all of the work I do today.
Who I work with:
I work both with teens and adults, from ages 13 to 65+. I help my clients challenge those internalized narratives of shame, co-dependency, and people-pleasing that leave them stuck, exhausted, and feeling alone.
I provide therapeutic interventions involving mindfulness, self-compassion, and creative exploration for:
- Anxiety and Panic
- Trauma
- Depression
- Co-dependency
- Difficulty with self-compassion and boundary setting
- Highly sensitive people, creatives, and helping professionals
- Parenting children with unique needs and abilities
- Parents who have unique needs and abilities
- Chronic pain and illness
- TBI
- ASD and ADHD
I provide collaborative, compassionate therapy that is affirming of all identities—including those whose intersectional identities have led to marginalization and trauma. My clients have included individuals whose identities include:
- LGBTQIA2S+
- BIPOC
- Neurodivergent
- Developmental disabilities
- Diverse body types
- Nonmonogamy and polyamory
How I work
I use several modalities, techniques and interventions, including:
- Narrative therapy
- Feminist Therapy
- Mindful Self-Compassion
- Compassion focused therapy
- DBT
- Certified Trauma Professional
- ACT
- The Body Positive
- Positive Psychology
- 100 hour mindfulness teacher certification
Working with Teens
I provide support for teens (13-19) by creating inclusive, trauma responsive, and affirming space to process complex emotions and teach invaluable skills for young people to integrate and expand upon as they evolve.
Teens may come to process past trauma, to explore questions associated with gender and sexual identity, cope with and understand their neurodivergence, manage relationship and social challenges, understand and identify alternatives for self-harm and suicidal ideation, manage symptoms of anxiety and depression, and set goals for life after high school.
I work with teens and parents/caregivers in a collaborative relationship that protects the privacy and autonomy of the client while understanding that parents/caregivers are integral to the effective achievement of treatment goals. The client, therapist and caregiver are the three-legged stool of good outcomes in teen therapy. Each has a role to play and when all are collaborating effectively prognosis is best.
I use a combination of Motivational Interviewing, CBT, ACT, narrative, and DBT interventions to help teen clients develop insight, confidence and motivation. Clients become empowered to believe in their ability to manage life’s challenges, build coping skills, strong boundaries, self-advocacy, and self-compassion.
I love pop culture, art, music, film and technology. I enjoy relating to my teen clients around their unique passions, interests, and pursuits.
My background:
I obtained my Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Psychology and Sociology from Mary Baldwin University and my Master’s degree in Counselor Education from Longwood University. I am Licensed as a Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oregon and under supervision to complete requirements for full licensure in Virginia.
I was born and raised in Virginia and relocated to Portland in 2021 with my partner, our 3 children, and an adorable little dog with a grumpy face. In my free time I love to hike, kayak, meditate, explore new places, eat delicious food, read, sing, and spend time with my amazing family.
I have been a singer and performer for most of my life. I am so fortunate to have been able to combine that career with my work in mental health to create the If You Could See Me Project (IYCSM). Through this personal narrative storytelling initiative, I help people learn to use their life stories to create change in their lives and communities through coaching, workshops, and live story-sharing events.
For more information about IYCSM, visit:
Erin is supervised by:
Virginia: Laura Chitwood, MS, LMHP
License # 0701007696
(804)840-8457
Are we a fit?
Please contact me for a free telephone consultation, and we can discuss your needs and take it from there. Call (971) 808-1196 or:
