tJ is taking new clients!

jacob@ercounseling.com  

385.800.3270

Jacob earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Social Work degrees at the University of Utah. He was born and raised in a rural Utah community and has spent most of his adult life in Salt Lake City.  

Jacob is a strong advocate for social justice and believes in the inherent worth of every person. He is passionate about helping others alleviate personal suffering and combat pervasive systemic oppression that perpetuates suffering.  

Jacob's therapeutic approach is person-centered, solution-focused, trauma-informed, empowerment-based and strengths-based. He integrates elements of humanistic, interpersonal, and cognitive behavioral modalities. 

From Jacob:  

“I am committed to making counseling a positive experience. While the work of self-improvement can be challenging, it can also be exciting and rewarding. I consider it a gift that others are willing to share on their (often personal) journey.”      

amanda@ercounseling.com

385.800.3269

As a growing expert in trauma, mindfulness, and somatic (body) concerns across the lifespan, Amanda will strive to assist you with your specific concerns. Her approach is light-hearted and evidence-informed. She often integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectic skills, body awareness, and mindful awareness into her education-based style. 

Throughout her schooling at The University of Utah, Amanda primarily focused on women's global health and LGBTQ+ therapy. She has worked with many individuals and families through survivorship, post-traumatic stress, somatic/chronic pain, postpartum/perinatal mood disorders and postpartum psychosis. She also has special training in psychodynamic theory, attachment work, and child development.

From Amanda:

 “I appreciate each of my clients' humanity, which is often harmed by the larger world... My job is to remain the expert in my field as a change catalyst, while you  remain the expert on yourself. Within each client relationship, I hope to engage in a way that is loving, creative, informative, strength-building, and supportive of change. Likely, we will have some laughs, too! Let's get you feeling better.”  

brenda@ercounseling.com 

385.800.3271

From Brenda, on treating adults: 

"Some dream it, some do it, some do both.” 

- Walt Disney   

As a clinician with over 20 years of experience in social work, I help humans of all ages not only dream about healing, but in the words of Walt Disney himself - do both!      

Through the teachings of Walt Disney, I have felt inspired to continue to dream and play, even as an adult. Although his early beginnings were filled with lots of adversity he continued to dream and work towards a life filled with joy. This is something I not only strive for in my own life but want to help you attain as well.      

My creative approach to the work of healing is a mixed skill set that includes trauma-informed care. My intent will be to hold a light for you, as you walk your path. Walking your path is a journey I respect and honor. (Although I have quoted Disney and see the value in play even as an adult, I take therapy seriously and want each client I work with to feel heard and understood.) Providing a safe space for you is of the utmost importance to me!     

Although I do see children and adolescents my work with adults is critical. Too often adults are left healing their childhood pain, while also taking on the daily responsibilities of adulthood with no space for their own healing. Sometimes those adults have reached the stage in their lives where they have found retirement but not the peace they thought it would bring. Sometimes, this is due to traumatic life events getting in the way.  

So, if you are a new adult just starting out in life and need a place to heal or an older adult that is wanting to relieve yourself of years of pain and sadness, I can't wait to hear from you. Let’s get you feeling better. 

From Brenda, on treating children:

Have you noticed a change in your child? Maybe you got a call from your child’s school or your child isn’t as connected to the family right now? If you are wondering about therapy, call me. I have 20 years of experience with children and I am happy to consult with you over the phone. 

On the phone, I’ll likely remind you that research supports this: 80% of children in therapy see improvement within 6-12 sessions, depending on primary concerns. To create improvement like this, we work together as a team. We rely on building from your child’s strengths and discuss solutions. We separate your child from their behaviors and we work to build skills that promote healthy behaviors. How? Through building a bonded relationship and through specific activities, play, and talking. 

I treat children and adolescents aged 4-18;
ask me about your 3-year-old. ADD/ADHD, anger, anxiety, bed-wetting, concerns with food, concerns after a hospitalization, depression, harming behaviors (e.g. hitting, kicking, biting), lack of motivation, nervousness, sadness, shouting, technology concerns, trauma, and uncontrollable crying are my areas of expertise. Methods include: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Sand Tray Therapy, Dyadic Developmental Therapy (DDT) and play therapy.

With the right tools, we’ll help your child to heal together. I look forward to hearing from you! 

"Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children." 

- Walt Disney

ana@ercounseling.com 

385.800.3285

Ana grew up in Mendoza, Argentina in a city with a landscape and four seasons, just like Utah. This came with a gift, she speaks Spanish, and is trying very hard to learn Portuguese (for now she can understand it very well).  

Ana earned her bachelor’s degree at the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, in Argentina and her master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at Argosy University, the Draper, Utah campus. Before becoming a therapist, Ana was a music teacher and she loved working with children and teenagers.  

Ana’s therapeutic approaches are rooted in Solution-Focused Therapy and Trauma Focused-CBT (TF-CBT).  She always appears to be immersed in a systemic approach, too. She also applies the experimental methodologies of "Daring Way," by Brené Brown, the neuroscience of Daniel Siegel, and the research on couples' stability and relationships of John Gottman. 

From Ana:

"Counseling is the opportunity to heal, grow, and discover who you are. I will walk with you; when you cry or laugh I'll be by you. The healing process is not always easy, but it is necessary to live your life to its fullest. You don't have to do it alone, I'm here to help."

sam@ercounseling.com

385.777.1725

From Sam: 

I grew up in California, but spent most of my teenage and adult life in Cincinnati, Ohio. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Ohio University, and my Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling at The University of Akron. 

I love to grow as both a therapist, and a person, and I have a passion for being affirming and creating a safe space for oppressed populations. I strive to work towards social justice and anti-oppression in my therapy and individually. 

I enjoy using a genuine, relaxed, and evidenced-based approach to therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Gottman Therapy Techniques. As a dually licensed therapist, my mode of therapy is flexible to meet your needs and what you are looking for. I like giving you tools and/or food for thought in between sessions to meet small, realistic goals. 

I specialize in working with couples, adults, adolescent girls, and adult/teen mother/daughter strain, and I have experience working with the LGBTQ+ community in those areas. I am open/non-monogamous relationship-affirming. The following are common symptoms I treat, but are by no means exhaustive: Relationship Issues, Life Transitions, Pre-marital Issues, Infidelity, Anxiety, Depression, Peer Relationships, Self-Esteem, Trauma, and PTSD. 

“My job is not to punish or shame you, but to encourage you to give yourself some slack and space, and learn to appreciate how amazing you really are. Low self-esteem is a social construct that most of us experience. Let’s figure out how those negative beliefs about yourself got there, challenge them, and wave them goodbye together!” 

tj@ercounseling.com

385.425.4289

TJ believes in taking a holistic approach in her therapeutic work. She utilizes humanistic therapy to assist clients obtain self-discovery and reach their full potential. She collaborates with them to understand obstacles that make these tasks difficult. She understands that mindfulness can be a powerful tool to achieve personal wellness. Other methods she uses include trauma-informed care, DBT, and a strengths-based perspective.  

TJ has experience working with individuals as they manage grief (an area of specialization for TJ), depression, anxiety, and addiction, among other struggles. 

She works with varying marginalized communities and has an avid sense of those who identify as BIPOC, queer, or are intersectional in their identities. She strives to create a therapeutic relationship and environment that is inclusive for all individuals, as she is a social justice worker, first. TJ prefers to work with humans ranging in age across the lifespan; she is currently taking clients as young as 10 years old.      

From TJ:  

“I consider it a privilege to get to know clients on such a personal level as they share their vulnerabilities. I aim to show my appreciation for this honor by respecting each individual as I work with them to understand what they hope to accomplish through therapy.”

karen@ercounseling.com

385.800.3272

"I grew up in California so anytime I can be in the sun I will be. I earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Brigham Young in Sociology. 

At ERC, I work closely with the billing department and answer phones. I believe wholeheartedly that in ERC’s mission, vision, and values. ERC truly cares about the community it serves and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve along with them. "