Meet Erika Mitchell of Erika Mitchell Therapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Mitchell.

Hi Erika, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After many years working as a Massage Therapist and coming to appreciate how profound and spiritual somatic healing can be, I had a strong desire to learn as much as I could about all these layers I was privy to and holding space for in the physical realm. I was drawn to the art of listening through my studies of craniosacral therapy, and I wanted to help people put their pain to words and find relief that could be even more sustainable. I studied to become a Marriage & Family Therapist at Antioch University, focusing on trauma & spiritual depth psychology, However, I was also beginning to understand the depths of relational work and the healing power of relationships.

I learned as much from teachers as I did from my own therapy, working to resolve childhood traumas and wounds that were showing up in my romantic and professional relationships time and time again. However, my official training was in group clinics/practices that focus on women’s issues and I learned so much about how to be a therapist by my supervisors who practiced psychodynamically, psychoanalytically, as well as somatically.

I opened my own practice soon after the birth of my daughter in 2023. The past couple of years have been a whirlwind becoming a mom and a business-owner at the same time, and I am passionate about helping others going through similar transitions and phases of life. I have a heart for those who are caregivers, parents, working in caregiving fields, or those who tend to be the ‘strong ones’ in the family that hold it all together.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Becoming a therapist in private practice has not been a smooth road, but most notably it has been a long road. It was an unexpected road honestly, when I studied biological psychology in undergrad I always thought I would be working with animals and was fascinated by my opportunities to study hearing in manatees or vision in honeybees. My path to become a massage therapist and then psychotherapist came on the tails of enduring various setbacks and failures. Which is why I try to embrace failure, as it often just puts what is important and possible in focus. I struggled a lot with my identity on the road to becoming a therapist and had to grieve a lot of other pursuits, but honestly the hardest part is really just how grueling it is to be working and going to school full-time while maintaining relationships, personal health, and navigating all of the unknowns about how and when you will earn a livable wage as a therapist. The functional challenges are one thing, but then all of the emotional growth and capacity that you are expanding along the way can be exhausting at times, but luckily I most often find it energizing and engaging. Even in this stage of parenting a toddler, being a therapist is the thing that revitalizes me the most. It’s one of the places where I can still feel so deeply connected to others without distraction, it’s really pretty special.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Erika Mitchell Therapy?
In my practice, I offer in-person (Eagle Rock) & virtual therapy for individuals and couples who are struggling with relationships and interpersonal dynamics. My specialty is working with couples who love each other but something feels off, they miss feeling close, or they struggle to communicate about their feelings openly and effectively. I help them turn toward one another and deepen their emotional intimacy so that they can tackle life’s struggles together with mutual understanding, respect, and security. My style is relational and psychodynamic while also weaving in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and wisdom from the Gottmans. I love working with couples because it can be more fast-paced and direct, however, I still pride myself in being a steady non-threatening & non-judgmental presence who can help disarm a lot of defense and anxiety. Many of my clients are going through major life transitions such as moving in with their partner, planning a wedding, transitioning into parenthood, or caring for an aging parent, and they benefit from a dedicated space to escape from the overwhelm and make sense of what they’re feeling.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I find talking about feelings to be endlessly fascinating and rich, I never get tired of hearing the good, the bad, and the ugly of life. I view it as such an honor to help couples build closeness in life’s new chapters, and witness people step into their self-worth, assertiveness, and vitality.

Pricing:

• $225 Individual Therapy (50 min)
• $250 Couples Therapy (50 min)

Contact Info:

• Website: erikamitchelltherapy.com

Image Credits
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