Meet Your Trauma-Informed EMDR Therapist in St. Louis

You’re not broken — your nervous system has been trying to protect you.

About Erica – Better Wellness Counseling

If you’ve always been the capable one — the helper, the peacemaker, the one who keeps it together — you may be quietly exhausted.

Many of the women I work with look successful on the outside but feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure of themselves on the inside. They’ve spent years putting others first, minimizing their needs, and carrying emotional weight that was never meant to be theirs.

You’re not broken. Your nervous system adapted to keep you safe. And those patterns can change.

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Therapy for Burned-Out, People-Pleasing Women

You might notice:

  • chronic overwhelm or emotional exhaustion

  • guilt when you rest or say no

  • difficulty trusting your own needs

  • unfulfilling or confusing relationships

  • a sense that you’ve lost touch with yourself

These aren’t personal failures. They’re learned survival strategies — and with the right support, they don’t have to run your life anymore.

Trauma-Informed Therapy That Goes Deeper

Hi — I’m really glad you’re here.

I see myself as a fellow traveler — I’ve walked a similar road — and I’m one of the lucky people who genuinely enjoys going to work each day. I do this work because I believe deeply in people’s capacity to heal, grow, and live lives that feel steady, meaningful, and true to who they are.

I love helping people heal from childhood trauma by supporting them in moving beyond old hurts and into a more peaceful, grounded experience — one where confidence comes from within, not from proving or performing. Watching clients reconnect with themselves and grow into new ways of living is what keeps me doing this work.

More than anything, I believe you are not meant to be held back by your past, your thoughts, your emotions, or other people’s expectations. You deserve a life that feels like yours. And if you need support figuring out what that looks like, I’m here.

The Heart of My Philosophy

At the core of my work is a simple belief: when women move out of survival mode and into their own power, everyone benefits.

So many of the behaviors that once kept you safe — over-giving, people-pleasing, self-silencing — eventually limit your ability to fully use your gifts, skills, and talents. Therapy isn’t about becoming selfish or pulling away from the world. It’s about releasing what keeps you small so you can show up more fully, intentionally, and alive.

Many women feel guilt when they first begin taking care of themselves. They’ve been taught that rest, boundaries, or self-focus are indulgent or wrong. What I see, again and again, is the opposite. When women begin honoring their own needs, they don’t shrink — they light up. They become more present, more generous, and more aligned with who they truly are.

When you are grounded in yourself, you are better positioned to share your light with the people and work that matter most.

A little less formal…

I’m a mom, lifelong learner, lover of nature, and explorer at heart. I grew up in the Chicagoland area and now call St. Louis home. I love Forest Park, the city’s energy, and all that STL has to offer. My spiritual life is deeply important to me — I enjoy exploring the mysticism of my faith as much as I enjoy a good conversation about the practical, physical side of life. As a recovering perfectionist myself, I know firsthand the satisfaction and quiet confidence that can come from therapy.

After 17 years in the field, I’m still inspired by the human ability to transform and thrive. Witnessing clients’ journeys is not just a professional privilege — it’s a reminder of all that women are capable of when they reconnect with themselves.

People closest to me would describe me as funny, direct, and loyal. Some of the greatest joys in my life are my two daughters, as well as my chosen brother and best friend.

EMDR Therapy for Women in St. Louis

Credentials & Expertise

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Argosy University, with a minor in Substance Abuse

    Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Benedictine University

    Ph.D. in Organizational Development from Benedictine University (focused on helping leaders, business owners, and teams thrive and navigate organizational challenges)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — trained

    Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) — trained

    Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) — trained

    NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) — Level 2

    Gottman Method Couples Therapy — Level 1

    “Will I Ever Be Good Enough?”, certification in Dr. Karyl McBride’s five-step recovery model for treating adult children of narcissistic parents.