About Erica

Erica began her journey into the mental health field in 1996 when she took a position as an Independent Living Facilitator for adults with intellectual, physical, and mental health challenges.  Shortly after, she attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, earning a BFA in Fine Art (2001) and went on to Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, where she received her Master’s degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology and Art Therapy (2004). 

While completing her undergraduate degree Erica worked with youth from Chicago’s inner city through programs promoting the arts and healing, and sought out an internship with Open Studio Project founder Pat Allen at Studio Pardes in nearby Oak Park.  It was at this time that Erica was introduced to two models of thought, one emerging from philosophy (Integral theory) and one from psychology (Internal Family Systems), that have grounded and inspired her work since. 

Over the next 15 years Erica worked with youth, adults, and families in crisis through numerous community settings and non-profit agencies, most notably in the position as Clinical Director to a residential treatment facility for juvenile offenders.  While there, Erica provided and oversaw therapy for nearly 300 youth over 9 years.  She led initiatives at all levels of the organization and introduced trauma informed practices such as Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS), biofeedback, meditation, Art Therapy, and experiential interventions to promote neurodevelopment, into the agency’s treatment model.

Erica has shared her experience through training others in the field, and providing clinical supervision and consultation.  She has lectured and taught classes and workshops at venues such as Regis University, CU Boulder, and Naropa University’s Graduate School of Psychology, where she also served as adjunct faculty.  

In 2005 Erica launched her private practice, centered around the treatment of trauma and abuse.  She also specializes in the areas of eating disorders and addiction, depression and anxiety, and navigating life transitions of all kinds.  After entering recovery from Chronic Lyme Disease, Erica’s professional focus expanded to include others dealing with Lyme and other chronic medical illness.

Today, Erica maintains an active career providing psychotherapy and art therapy to teens and adults, and leads therapeutic groups and workshops.  She remains convinced of the potential inside all of us to heal and thrive.

Education // Credentials // Affiliations

  • BFA, Fine Art, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL (2001)

  • MA, Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Art Therapy, Naropa University, Boulder, CO (2004)

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado

  • Credentialed with the American Art Therapy Association as a Registered Art Therapist (ATR)

  • Current member and past President of the Colorado Art Therapy Association

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) advanced training Levels I & II

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) Certified Therapist & Approved IFS Clinical Consultant