ERIN WEST, LCPC

EXPERIENCE

I began my mental health career in 1998 at Sheppard Pratt Hospital as an inpatient mental health worker and in the outpatient Therapy Referral Department, positions I held until I earned my Master’s degree in 2003 and began my career as a therapist. I have been fortunate to gain clinical experience in varied treatment settings including outpatient, dual diagnostic community mental health/substance abuse programs, inpatient, level five school system, and private practice. I have worked with client populations to include children, adolescents, and adults and have provided individual, couples/marital, family, and group therapy. Since 2015 I have been co-owner/co-founder of Well Life Counseling and Consulting, which has afforded me extensive opportunities to learn and excel running an ever growing business as well as continuing my clinical work with clients.

CURRENT TREATMENT FOCUS

My current clinical focus at Well Life centers on working with adults both in individual and couples therapy during which I draw from an eclectic framework of theoretical approaches. I view therapy as an explorative journey where both clinician and client work collaboratively to establish a personally suited treatment plan. I am currently focusing on treating anxiety, depression, Bipolar Disorder, anger, ADHD, grief, life transitions, and marital/couples work. I incorporate Positive Psychology’s strength based approach, which teaches clients to identify their strengths and direct their energies towards qualities rather than focusing on perceived weaknesses. Through this process clients learn how to utilize their strengths to bring about healthy changes in thought processes and behaviors and ultimately build resilience.

TREATMENT APPROACH AND MODALITIES

I employ a mixture of theoretical approaches and modalities including CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Person-Centered Therapy/Humanistic, IPT (Interpersonal Therapy), MBCT (Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Psychodynamic Therapy, Existential Therapy, and SFT (Solution Focused Therapy). My goal is to find the blend which best suits each of my clients. Therapy occurs in a comfortable and accepting space facilitating comfort as clients share and gain support and skills. I believe in working alongside clients to offer resources for change and empowering clients to apply what they have learned during therapy sessions in their lives, resulting in an improved sense of self and balance.

OUTSIDE OF SESSION

To recharge outside of session I enjoy spending time with my Belgian Malinois, doing genealogy research, reading, relaxing outdoors, watching baseball, exploring new places, and sky diving when I can convince people to go with me!