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I am Erin King, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is passionate about helping people recover from trauma. I will use a person-centered approach to meet you where you are at. I will listen when you explain your goals and what you would like to get out of therapy.
My approach
As a social worker, I was trained to use a person-centered, strengths-based approach. As a trauma-centered practitioner, I ask not "what is wrong with you?" but "What happened to you and how has that impacted you?" The relational aspect of therapy is crucial: studies show that the therapeutic alliance between therapist and client is a predictor of client success. I use evidence-based approaches to retrain the brain result in fewer post-traumatic symptoms.
My focus
I have worked with individuals who suffer from Mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD and CPTSD, and gender-based dysphoria.
My communication style
My communication style is direct but compassionate. I create a tone of down-to-earth communication, encouraging client authenticity. I hope it will feel invigorating and refreshing to work with me!
My journey to mental healthcare
A member of my family has a serious mental illness. Trying to understand them was my first foray into mental health. I soon realized that I was fascinated by the human mind and that I loved this work. Undoing the damage of trauma is so important to me. Abuse of various forms is so prevalent that it's a social justice issue to me. Being able to help the survivors is more than just a job, it's a mission.
My goals for you
In the first session, after asking about your history, I ask about two things: coping skills and goals for treatment. Addressing coping skills at the outset is crucial when doing trauma work. I ask about goals and what you want out of therapy. So it's your agenda, not mine, that is informing the work we do at every stage.
My first session with you
It's an opportunity for us to get to know each other. I'll ask a lot of questions and give you the opportunity to ask me questions. I'll ask about what is important to you, what your history is, how you cope, and what you want to achieve in therapy. If you need a break, that's fine. If you don't want to answer a particular question, that's fine too. You will not need to discuss your trauma in depth or detail.
