Erika Garcia, LMFT
Practical, experience-based therapy for stress and trauma
About Erika
Erika Garcia is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 26 years of clinical experience. She focuses on practical help for people feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief, depression, trauma, and life changes.
Background and approach
Erika uses straightforward conversation and clear strategies so people can start making small changes right away. She believes each person knows their story best.
Sessions begin by listening to what matters most and what feels stuck. From there Erika helps identify steps that fit daily life, whether that means building routines, improving sleep and focus, or developing ways to manage panic and worry.
Erika draws on methods from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to teach skills for handling painful thoughts and unwanted feelings. She also uses trauma-focused approaches when past events keep causing fear or avoidance.
These tools are explained plainly and practiced together in session. Her work often addresses issues beyond mood and anxiety, including chronic pain or illness, fertility and family of origin concerns, immigration-related stress, and feelings of isolation.
She also supports people dealing with guilt, shame, and questions about life purpose. People who choose Erika can expect calm, direct guidance and a focus on concrete steps.
The goal is workable change that fits the client’s life, not perfect improvement. Erika is based in California and conducts sessions in English.
Practical therapy approaches for online care
Erika commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in sessions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them while focusing on actions that match their values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches ways to change unhelpful thinking patterns and build routines that reduce anxiety and depression.Trauma-focused strategies are also used when painful past events continue to affect daily life. These approaches involve carefully processing memories and learning new responses to triggers so reminders cause less distress over time. The therapist will discuss options and work with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and comfort level. Finding the right approach is a collaborative process and may combine elements from different methods.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make care more accessible. Video calls let people work face-to-face from wherever they are. Phone sessions can require less bandwidth and can fit more easily into a work break. Live chat or text messaging supports shorter check-ins or ongoing written reflection between longer sessions. These options help people keep therapy consistent around busy schedules and life demands.
Frequently asked questions
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
Also works with
- ADHD
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Family of origin issues
- Fertility issues
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Immigration issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Multicultural concerns
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 26 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English