About Erica

Therapeutic Approach

 

My approach to therapy is supportive, strengths-based, and practical.  I believe that in each person exists the power to heal, grow, and change, and I enjoy helping others to explore their life challenges and to strengthen their inner resources. I provide my clients with judgment-free and trauma-informed support in a safe and confidential environment. Therapy sessions involve self-expression and also consist of finding realistic ways to deal with emotional issues, symptoms, and life stressors. Clients can expect to be engaged in therapy that is professional, culturally sensitive, and above all empathetic.

The way I practice is most influenced by person-centered and humanistic theories, as well as the fundamentals of Creative Arts Therapy. I believe in the life enhancing properties of the creative arts and often find it beneficial to involve the creative process in sessions. As a licensed professional counselor, I am also adept at providing verbal psychotherapy. Because of my professional experience in creating new Art Therapy programs, I have become practiced in adapting services to best suit the needs of each unique individual. What I most enjoy about providing therapy is having the honor of journeying alongside of my clients as they seek to define their own personal visions of wellness and balance.

Curriculum Vitae

Post Graduate Experience

Private Practice, Greater Philadelphia Area                                  February 2015- Present

• Offering individual and group Art Psychotherapy in Lafayette Hill, PA
• Providing clinical supervision for Art Therapists seeing to obtain their registration and board certification and/or professional licensure in Pennsylvania

 

Suburban Community Hospital, East Norriton, PA                        March 2013 – July 2014

Oncology Art therapist, Cancer Center                              

• Created and established an art therapy program for oncology patients
• Goals of individual therapy sessions were to increase coping skills and improve overall well-being during periods of medical treatment
• Integrated art therapy into the Breast Cancer support group and created a ‘Coping with Cancer Through Art’ open studio support group
• Led a bi-monthly staff art therapy group to address compassion fatigue
• Facilitated community collaboration between the Greater Norristown Arts League and the hospital’s staff for Survivor’s Day celebration

 

NHS Germantown Recovery Community, Philadelphia, PA      August 2009 – July 2014

Growing Arts Studio Supervisor, Community-based Art Studio

• Authored a proposal for the creation of this internally funded community-integrated art studio and art gallery, serving individuals with severe mental health diagnoses
• Ran therapeutic Open Art Studio groups, structured task-based art groups, individual member art shows in the Growing Arts Gallery, and outreach efforts in the community
• Provided individual art psychotherapy and art-as-therapy sessions when referred
• Services focused on promoting self-esteem, recognizing and enhancing meaning in one’s life, encouraging socialization, and reducing stigma
• Provided clinical supervision for bachelors level student interns from Arcadia University

 Recovery Team Supervisor, Mental health recovery program  

• Under principles of recovery and wellness, re-established the Art Therapy program within this transformed day program for adults with severe mental health diagnoses
• Provided group and individual art-as-therapy and art psychotherapy sessions
• Facilitated weekly clinical supervision groups for Bachelor’s-level staff
• As a part of the management team, participated in continual efforts develop, define, and redesign program focus and daily operations

 

Undergraduate Experience

Norristown State Hospital, Norristown, PA                            September 2008 – June 2009        

Civil and forensic inpatient adult psychiatric care facility

KidsPeace, Orefield, PA                                                                   October 2007 – March 2008        

Psychiatric hospital and residential treatment for children and teens

Anne Klein Forensic Center, Trenton, NJ                                         March 2008 – June 2008      

Forensic inpatient adult psychiatric care facility

St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, NJ                                       February 2006 – May 2006      

Short-term inpatient psychiatric care center within a medical hospital

Alterra Assisted Living, Fort Myers, FL                                            July 2003- January 2004      

Assisted living facility for older adults

 

Education

Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA (Hahnemann Hospital program)        August 2009

• Masters of Arts in Creative Arts in Therapy, Major: Art therapy
• Thesis title: The Use of a Modified Bridge Drawing Series as a Metaphor for Transition for Individuals with Schizophrenia: A Phenomenological Approach

 

Arcadia University, Glenside, PA                                                                                     

• Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major: Metals and Jewelry                                               May 2007 
• Bachelor of Arts, Major: Pre-Art Therapy and Fine Arts                                    May 2006

 

Professional Organization Affiliations

American Art Therapy Association (AATA)                                                

Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association (DVATA)                   

• Served as a board member in the position of Jobs Research from 2010-2012
• Part of the Conference Committee which produced the 2011 and 2012 Annual Conferences

 

Professional Presentations and Workshops

“Listening to the Language of Your Art: Using Creativity for Personal Growth”

                                                                                                                                             March 2019        

“The Therapeutic Use of Art”                                                                                  January 2019

“Introduction to Art Therapy”                                                                             February 2015 

Greater Norristown Art League, East Norriton, PA

 

“Grief, Art, and Recovery”                                                                                       January 2012

DVATA Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA                                                                          

“Grief and Loss in a Community Integrated Recovery Center”                   October 2011

Pennsylvania Care Providers Association Conference, Seven Springs, PA

“Recovery”                                                                                                                            May 2010

NHS Leadership Conference, Harrisburg, PA