Anxiety, Depression, and Life Transition Therapy for Adolescents and Adults

It’s Time to Find Happiness in Life Again

Your chest is tight & you have trouble catching your breath. Sweating, nausea, heart pounding. You avoid situations, become agitated, and cling to others.

You worry, thinking something terrible is about to happen. You feel sad, tired, guilty if you don’t meet expectations. You’re exhausted but are afraid to slow down or say ‘no’ to others, fearing rejection or loneliness.

Your inner voice is constantly negative and you want to stop it or change it, but you don’t know how to change it or even know if it’s possible to truly accept yourself. This doesn’t have to be your ‘normal’.

You want to feel happy, excited & fulfilled by daily life again. You want to relax & enjoy the life you have worked for. You’re ready to silence your inner critic & learn to be kind to yourself. You have the ability to live the life you dream & deserve, to explore your true self AND find your happiness again. That’s where I come in. I can help get you there.

Engaging in therapy is more accessible now than ever- online scheduling is available 24/7 & phone or video sessions are available. Walk and talk therapy is now an option as well! If you’re looking for a warm, genuine, open-minded therapist with a non-judgmental style that alternates laughter with deep conversation, strategic insights & education- let’s talk.

Life doesn’t have to be this hard.

You know that something needs to change, but you're not sure exactly what. On the outside you look fine, but inside...

  • You feel anxiety, stress, or pressure at your home or work setting
  • You are overwhelmed by planning, scheduling, and worrying about the “what if’s”
  • You have a fear of others thinking you’re not good enough
  • You are disconnected, devalued, burned out, and on edge
  • You feel the need to please everyone, leaving you feeling exhausted and underappreciated
  • You know you want to feel better, but you don’t know how to get there

That’s where I come in!

Hi! I’m Erika. I’m an anxiety, depression, and life transition therapist.

Once working with me, the following side effects have been reported:

  • You’re no longer waking up with a pit of uneasiness in your stomach or chest.
  • You’re no longer plagued by constant over-thinking, anxiety, or self-doubt.
  • You’re establishing boundaries, saying no, and prioritizing yourself.
  • You’re trusting your intuition and gaining confidence in your choices.
  • You have a fresh sense of security in your relationships.
  • Throughout the day, you have periods of quiet, calm, and delight.
  • You’re less fearful of what lies ahead and more secure in your ability to handle whatever comes your way.
  • You are better able to adjust and adapt to change in a healthier and more positive way.

Together, we’ll create a calm harbor where your soul can thrive.

About Erika

Erika believes in a holistic and person centered approach to establish meaningful and empathetic connections with her clients to create a positive and safe space. She meets you where you are at with no judgment. Erika utilizes a combination of therapies which includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and solution focused therapy to empower the individual to meet their goals of counseling.

  • MEd (Master of Education) at WINTHROP UNIVERSITY
  • License type: LCMHC
  • Gender: Female
  • Ethnicity: Caucasian
  • Languages: English
  • Works with: Adolescents, Adults, and Seniors

Erika has training in working with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use, lifestyle changes, trauma, and more. She is a North Carolina Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS), and is a Clinical Supervisor Intern (CSI).

Erika received her education from Coastal Carolina University where she earned two Bachelor’s Degrees, a degree in Psychology and the other in Sociology with a minor in criminology. Erika then earned her M.Ed. from Winthrop University and has been working in the mental health and substance abuse fields full time since graduating in 2016.

Specialties

Depression

  • Feeling sad, empty, alone, or hopeless
  • Irritable mood or crying (what feels like) out of nowhere
  • Less or no interest in the things that used to bring you joy or happiness
  • Trouble falling or staying asleep
  • You think something terrible is about to happen
  • Your inner voice is constantly negative and you want to stop it or change it, but you don’t know how to change it or even know if it’s possible to truly accept yourself
  • You’re having difficulty concentrating and feel a lack motivation in different areas in life

We’ll work on the following during our time together:

  • Identify your strengths to help build and restore your self esteem
  • Encourage the practice of gratitude for the ‘little things’ in life and celebrate your accomplishments
  • Encourage holistic lifestyle changes by providing education and the practice of mindfulness skills, relaxation training, and positive therapeutic practices
  • Practice coping strategies that help you lessen the symptoms of depression (i.e. exercise, walking, dancing, yoga, massage, etc.) to improve your mood
  • Gain a better understanding of your emotions by becoming more aware of them.
  • Have a better understanding of your personal goals and values
  • Feel more connected to people in your relationships, at work, and in social situations

Anxiety

  • Your chest is tight and you have difficulty catching your breath at times.

  • You can’t seem to stop worrying about the “what if” scenarios

  • You feel tense or on edge a lot of the time

  • It’s hard to “be in the moment” without thinking about the past or future

  • You’re irritable, restless, and have emotional outbursts

  • You have trouble falling or staying asleep due to racing thoughts

During our time together, we will work on the following:

  • Education of our automatic stress reaction cycle
  • Normalizing your responses and understanding the role they previously provided for you
  • Identifying and disrupting your anxiety and stress triggers and patterns
  • Practicing coping techniques that aid in the reduction of anxiety and stress symptoms
  • Learning to recognize and work with your emotions rather than resisting them
  • Techniques such as mindfulness, relaxation, and positive therapy
  • Reconciling the mind-body divide and making room for both reasoning and emotion

Life Transitions

  • You’re starting or ending a new relationship, getting married or divorced
  • You’re starting or graduating school, navigating a new job (or attempting to find one)
  • You’re struggling with thoughts to end your current career and embrace a new one
  • You’re starting a family
  • You’re grieving the loss of a loved one
  • You’re trying to find out how to obtain what you want out of life while coping with the stress that comes with these significant decisions

We’ll work on the following during our time together:

  • Set ‘small’ goals as to not overwhelm you or cause additional anxiety
  • Develop tools that work for you in your life to help cope with life transitions and better adapt to change
  • Better manage existing stress and be prepared to manage future life changes more effectively
  • Educate and practice stress management, anger management, anxiety, and depression techniques
  • Educate and practice mindfulness skills, relaxation training, and other positive therapy techniques

Issues

  • Behavioral Issues/Anger
  • Coping Skills
  • Emotional Disturbance
  • Peer Relationships
  • Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum
  • Relationship Issues/Family Conflict
  • Self Esteem
  • Stress
  • Trauma and PTSD

Client Focus

Age

  • Elders (65+)
  • Adults
  • Teen

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

  • Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
  • Clinical Supervision and Licensed Supervisors
  • Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
  • Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
  • Person-Centered
  • Positive Psychology
  • Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
  • Strength-Based

 

Modality

  • Individuals
  • Couples

Therapy Mindset

Therapy doesn’t have to be a one-size-fits-all experience! I may be a therapist, but I’m still a human, which means I’m not perfect, and I’m sure you aren’t either, which is fine! When you see me, you don’t have to pretend to be flawless. I curse, enjoy a good laugh, and acknowledge when I’m wrong. My chickens may squawk in the background of our virtual meetings, and Charlie, my dog, is generally sleeping at my feet. My goal is for our treatment to feel more like normal talks than sterile visits, and for you to feel comfortable telling me anything.

As a therapist, I see my role as an active participant in your growth and healing. That means meeting you right where you are during the session. Your goals for healing, progress, and growth will influence every step we take.

Therapy Style

It’s all about you in therapy. YOU are the expert on YOU.

In therapy we create a collaborative relationship in which we’ll work together. You supply your expertise on what matters most: yourself, while I provide my knowledge and training. I’m not going to advise you how to live your life or what answers to choose. Only you have the ability to take control of your life. But I can help you by providing partnership, accountability, support, and years of mental health education, expertise, and training. I also share my own personal life experiences if it relates to something you are struggling with or going through.  

Individuals come to me looking for someone who is not just highly qualified, but also empathic, compassionate, and supportive—someone who has done their own work and can join them in theirs. As your therapist, I provide a safe, warm, and welcoming environment in which you will feel seen, heard, and understood. You deserve the space to slow down, connect, and heal.

Therapy Goal

You can learn to love yourself and your life again through therapy. Together, we’ll figure out what’s making you sad, nervous, or depressed, and come up with solutions that work for you. I want you to experience genuine transformation and healing.

If you’re looking for a warm, genuine, down to earth therapist with a non-judgmental style that alternates laughter with deep, profound conversation and strategic insights- let’s chat!

How to Work with Me

All new potential clients are welcome to call me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if I’m the right therapist for you. If we feel that we’re a good fit and you’re interested in beginning therapy, we’ll schedule your first appointment. You will get your intake paperwork (including payment information) through email, which you are expected to fill out prior to your first session.

If you would prefer to go ahead and schedule a session and have insurance, you can easily access my scheduling portal wherein you can place your insurance information as well as schedule a session that fits your schedule.

If you would like to schedule a session and do not or prefer not to use insurance, then simply send an email or call me. We can schedule a time that works best for you and I will send an email containing intake paperwork.

Clinical Supervision

I offer supervision for those who reside in North Carolina seeking services to gain or maintain licensure. If you are in the process of becoming or maintaining licenses: CADC-R, CADC-I, CADC, LCAS-A, contact me for a consultation to discuss my professional experience and counseling approach to see if I could have a helpful role in providing effective supervision for you. I look forward to creating a positive supervisory relationship with you!

FAQ

Overthinking, worrying, work stress, relationship anxiety, people pleasing, poor boundaries, low self-esteem, feeling insecure and taken advantage of, fatigue from burnout, difficulties regulating moods, and/or behavioral outbursts are all issues that individuals come to me with. When clients first come to see me, many people have signs of unprocessed trauma.

I use an eclectic approach to therapy, which is a fancy way of saying that I become creative and use whatever techniques are most effective for my client. To create meaningful and empathetic connections with clients and create a warm, positive and safe atmosphere, I believe in a holistic and person-centered approach. I meet you where you are with no judgment and use a combination of modalities to help you achieve your counseling goals, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Positive Psychology, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution Focused Therapy.

Sessions vary based on what you bring into the session. One day a session may look like us having a deep conversation about how particular childhood experiences have influenced your current responses. Another day we may need to process the obstacles you’ve faced over the week. Other times, it can look like us laughing, practicing a guided meditation, or listening to relaxing music because- – it’s been a long week and you need a break from thinking and processing!

I accept individuals who have insurance through Headway.co for Aetna, Oscar, Oxford, United Health Care, and Cigna plans. Reach out to me or determine your eligibility here.

I also provide services out-of-network at the rate of $150 per 55-minute session.

I require a 24-hour notice for all cancellations. Failure to cancel within that time frame results in a charge of $65.

I am a North Carolina Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS), and is a Clinical Supervisor Intern (CSI).

I received my education from Coastal Carolina University where I earned two Bachelor’s Degrees, a degree in Psychology and the other in Sociology with a minor in criminology. I then earned my M.Ed. from Winthrop University and have been working in the mental health and substance abuse fields full time since graduating in 2016.

Yes, I offer online HIPAA compliant video counseling sessions to individuals who are located in North Carolina Monday through Friday.

All new potential clients are welcome to call me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if I’m the right therapist for you. If we feel that we’re a good fit and you’re interested in beginning therapy, we’ll schedule your first therapy appointment. You will get your intake paperwork (including payment information) through email, which you are expected to fill out prior to your first session.

If you would prefer to go ahead and schedule a session and have insurance, you can easily access my scheduling portal wherein you can place your insurance information as well as schedule a session that fits your schedule.

If you would like to schedule a session and do not or prefer not to use insurance, then simply send an email or call me. We can schedule a time that works best for you and I will send an email containing intake paperwork.

Therapy is an investment in yourself, and yes- you can absolutely feel better, life can feel more fulfilling, and you can find your happiness again! Counseling is a very personal and individualized experience, and the timeline for reaching your goals in therapy differs for each person.

Pricing & Insurance

$0-150 per 55 minute session

Contact me to get a price quote.

Insurance carriers Erika is in network with:

Offering Virtual Counseling Services in North Carolina

Erika Larsen

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, MEd, LCMHC, LCAS, CSI

I can promise you there’s one other person who gets it: Me.

Stop living this struggle alone. You can conquer the negative voice inside your head. You have the ability to live the life you desire and deserve, to explore your true self and find your happiness again.

Everyone deserves the space to slow down, connect & heal. Therapy is where you can learn how to love you & your life. Together we’ll find the cause of what’s keeping you feeling miserable every day & look for solutions that work for your life.

Erika Larsen

MEd, LCMHC, LCAS, CSI
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Charlotte, North Carolina