Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Registered Play Therapist
About Erika
Erika is a wife, mom to two teens, and caretaker to four furry babies. She paints, gardens, or sinks deep into a good book as part of her self-care.
Erika is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Registered Play Therapist(TM). Erika graduated with a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Tarleton State University and is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision. Erika received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master's in Health Education from Texas A&M University in 1996 and 1998.
Erika worked for 17 years in education as a school counselor, behavior specialist, special education teacher, and Pre-K teacher. Erika has worked with children and adolescents diagnosed with severe emotional and behavioral disorders and with those who have experienced trauma. In June 2022, Erika left school counseling to focus on trauma work as a counselor for the Advocacy Center for Crime Victims & Children.
Erika is trained in EMDR, Adlerian Play Therapy, Child-Centered Play Therapy, sand tray, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy; Erika is a Registered Play Therapist™ through the Association for Play Therapy. Erika is a member of the American Counselor Association, Texas Counselor Association, Association for Play Therapy, Texas Association for Play Therapy, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and Chi Sigma Iota.
Presentations & Leadership
Erika is active in the field of counseling:
She has been a member in highly competitive Leadership Academies with both the Association for Counselor Education & Supervision and also the Association for Play Therapy;
Taught master level and graduate level counselor courses as an adjunct faculty and as a teaching assistant as part of a Ph.D. program;
Been invited to be a guest lecturer on multiple occasions to talk about the impact of trauma on the brain;
Presented at national and local conferences on play therapy and academic achievement, counselor resilience and self-care, and the role of school counselors;
Served in leadership positions in her role as a counselor and school counselor
Erika is a trauma counselor, EMDR trained counselor, play therapist, mental health counselor and hope encourager
Erika's Philosophy
Erika believes there is a purpose behind behaviors. Erika believes in the worth of all human beings and that we may at times need help to unearth what is bothering us or learn healthy ways to cope. It is important for there to be a feeling of trust, empathy, and authenticity in the counselor-client dynamic. In other words, for the client and counselor to fit.
Erika does believe there is a purpose or goal behind behaviors and these can be revealed in therapy. And with guidance, revelation, and practice the behaviors can be replaced with behaviors which are healthier for the system of the individual, the family, and even school. This does work in tandem with parents working alongside the counselor.
Erika at Brain Builders Counseling & Consulting LLC is a trauma counselor, EMDR-trained counselor, play therapist, and mental health counselor