About me…
Hi there, I'm Erica.
I'm a post-practicum, pre-registered counsellor in Vancouver, BC, working under the supervision of Ofir Vaisman while awaiting registration with the BCACC.
I tend to think of therapy as a mix of meaningful conversation, gentle curiosity, and occasionally laughing at the absurdity of being human. At its core, I believe meaningful psychotherapy is a relationship. Change doesn't happen because someone gives you the right advice or because you've finally become "ready." More often, it happens when there is enough trust, safety, and honesty to begin looking at the parts of ourselves we've spent years avoiding.
Many of us carry stories, experiences, emotions, and beliefs that have been pushed aside in order to cope. But what is buried doesn't disappear. The things we avoid often continue to shape our lives from the background, influencing how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world around us. My goal isn't to force those parts into the open before you're ready. It's to create a space where exploring them feels possible.
My approach is rooted in existential and narrative therapy, which means I'm interested in the stories you've been told, the stories you tell yourself, and the larger questions of meaning, identity, purpose, and choice. I also work from a trauma-informed lens, moving at a pace that respects what your system has been through.
I'm not the nod-and-smile-silently type. I'll be present, engaged, and genuinely invested in our work together. Sometimes that means offering a challenge, sometimes asking difficult questions, and sometimes finding humour in places we didn't expect. Therapy with me is a space where you don't have to perform, impress anyone, or have everything figured out. You can show up uncertain, skeptical, overwhelmed, or messy, and we'll work with that, not against it.
If you're looking for a therapeutic relationship that feels authentic, collaborative, and grounded in both depth and trust, I'd be glad to connect.
Therapeutic Approach
While we all share common human experiences, the ways we make sense of and respond to them are deeply personal. Because of this, I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy.
My work is integrative, drawing from evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). These approaches can provide practical tools for navigating difficult emotions, challenging unhelpful patterns, and creating meaningful change.
At the same time, I am particularly drawn to psychodynamic, existential, and narrative therapies. These approaches invite us to look beneath the surface to explore the stories, relationships, experiences, and beliefs that have shaped how we move through the world. I believe that lasting behavioural change often requires a shift in perspective, and that understanding ourselves more deeply can create new possibilities for how we live.
I also believe that what we resist tends to persist. The emotions, experiences, and parts of ourselves we work hard to avoid often continue to influence us in ways we may not fully recognize. Therapy offers an opportunity to approach these experiences with curiosity rather than judgment, creating space for greater awareness, choice, and freedom.
Most importantly, I believe meaningful psychotherapy is a relationship. My role is not to “fix you” or tell you who to be. My goal is to create a therapeutic relationship that is honest, collaborative, and supportive enough to make the difficult work of self-exploration possible. Together, we can begin to understand old patterns, reconnect with neglected parts of yourself, and move toward a life that feels more aligned with who you want to be.
Education + Clinical experience
BA Psychology - Minor in Counselling — Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Vancouver B.C.
Masters in Counselling Psychology — City University of Seattle, Vancouver B.C.
300+ hr Clinical counselling Internship under the supervision of Ofir Vaisman RCC & Karyna Capote RCC.
While completing my bachelor’s degree in psychology, I began working in mental health as a volunteer with the Fraser Health crisis line. I also worked at a mental health clubhouse, a community-based resource for individuals living with serious mental illness.
While completing my master’s degree in counselling psychology, I started working with individuals found NCRMD (Not Criminally Responsible on Account of a Mental Disorder), which has deepened my understanding of the intersection between mental health, trauma and the legal system.
I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a wide range of individuals… from those navigating challenges with daily living and finding a sense of purpose, to those living with persistent and severe mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.