Welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois and Maine with over 15 years of professional work experience. I have had the privilege of working with a variety of different populations across the lifespan. A large portion of my career has been working with clients that are experiencing complex emotional challenges. I use a variety of activities and learning opportunities to enhance my clients understanding of their mental health and treatment options. I have a passion for understanding Neuropsychology and Integrative Health in an effort to treat the whole person.
I have experience in helping clients with who have encountered or are coping with relationship issues, trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also enjoy working on parenting issues and being a support to people navigating the roller coaster of mother/ fatherhood.
I work alongside my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
Additional areas of focus: Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Eating disorders, Anger management, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Control issues, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Domestic Violence, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Emptiness, Expats, Family Problems, Fertility Issues, Guilt and shame, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Mood disorders , Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Women's issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy
ME LCSW LC21587
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Erica Velarde. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Erica has been really wonderful to work with. She is compassionate, transparent and extremely knowledgeable.
Written on Aug 22, 2023 after therapy with Erica for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Erica is without question the greatest therapist I have ever had. It's rare to have such an effective treatment provider who is also eminently humane and relatable. Having been in therapy on and off for nearly two decades, I believe I understand how lucky I am to have found Erica and to be her patient. But I don't take her for granted, and if you're lucky enough to get her as well, you shouldn't either.
Written on Jan 10, 2023 after therapy with Erica for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, and adhd
Erica has helped me so much in our time working together. She’s helped me work through my anxiety and relationship issues. She makes me feel heard and supported no matter what life throws my way.
Written on Jan 05, 2023 after therapy with Erica for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Calming energy and a non-judgmental ear (along with a few poignant questions and reflections of my own comments) is all I wanted. Exactly what I got. Sometimes you need validation from an impartial source, and that’s Erica for me. Acknowledgment of trauma is so important and she gives that along with so much more.
Written on Jan 02, 2023 after therapy with Erica for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
Erica is AMAZING! After years of failed relationships with therapists I feel confident and comfortable in Erica’s ability to help me get through a lot of challenging issues. She is so helpful, timely, consistent and effective- I look forward to all of our calls!
Written on Oct 12, 2022 after therapy with Erica for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Wonderful experience with Erica. Tentative, knowledgeable, relatable, and down to earth.
Written on Oct 07, 2022 after therapy with Erica for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, self esteem, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd