Who We Are

Our experience enables us to offer effective outpatient, individualized, psychological care. We treat a number of mental health disorders, and provide a neutral ground to individuals and families.

ERICA LUNDEEN-

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor that believes in the power of choices. I am energetic, solution-focused, and believe in being genuine. I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults in the mental and behavioral health field since 2009. I have worked with individuals with trauma, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, paranoia, psychosis, suicidal ideations, and homicidal ideations. My speciality populations include  adolescents, 1st Responders, and Veterans. I have assisted people with overcoming their barriers so they can achieve their life journey.

Throughout my professional development, I have gained experience as a Counselor, Clinical Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Manager, Crisis Counselor, and Outpatient Clinic Director. As a result, I am very familiar with the Arizona system of care. My therapeutic approach consists of building a strong rapport and supportive environment where the client feels comfortable sharing. I utilize a combination of techniques and interventions based on Reality Therapy, Choice Theory, EMDR, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, all which are evidenced based treatments. I tailor treatment to meet client’s needs and overall goals in hopes of improving the client’s quality of life. Erica Is Licensed in Arizona and New Hampshire.

I am a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Certified Trauma Professional (CTP), and an EMDR-trained clinician. I received my Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling and Human Development from Lindsey Wilson College in 2022. I am also a Certified Reiki Master.

In my counseling sessions I take a Person-Centered approach, and use the following modalities:

·  EMDR

·  Structural Dissociation Theory (parts work)

·  Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

·  Gestalt Theory

·  Career Education Counseling

I’ve received advanced training in EMDR, complex trauma, attachment wounds, dissociation, and personality disorders. Additionally, I have experience working with, and receive regular consultation for, clients with all types of dissociative disorders including Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).

I was a flight attendant for 23 years and served as a team member with the airline’s Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team. I am also a classically trained performing artist and have performed on the stage and on camera for over 17 years. I also have experience in teaching acting and training flight attendants. My life, career, and artistic experience informs my deep passion for helping those who are suffering, and I endeavor to bring healing to every client I see.

I am a licensed associate counselor with the philosophy that all individuals are the expert in their own lives. My education and training allow me to support individuals in identifying the cause of their challenges and help them learn new strategies to approach or cope with these challenges. My goal is when the therapeutic relationship comes to a close, clients leave feeling stronger and more resilient, with the internal resources to face life’s challenges.

Seeking therapy is brave and vulnerable, it can sometimes feel scary, awkward, even uncomfortable, I get that. I am warm, approachable, and genuine, and strive to create an environment of trust and

comfort. It is always my aim to meet clients where they are and walk with them to where they want to be. As each of my clients are their own unique individual, my approach is specifically tailored to meet their needs. I draw on evidenced based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT.) My interventions are solution focused, practical and actionable.

I have over 15 years of experience and have worked with clients of all ages and all backgrounds, in inpatient and outpatient care settings, schools and residential treatment centers. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, chronic health concerns, grief and loss, substance abuse, suicidal

ideation and self-harm and psychosis. My specialties include helping individuals’ mange difficult transitions such as divorce, empty nest, retirement, and early adult hood, and supporting individuals managing bi-polar disorder, and other chronic mental health concerns.

My focus is to help individuals to find their best part of themselves, energize, and become aware of their inner strengths. My hope is to achieve this by providing a neutral safe space, listening to your concerns, and customizing a treatment plan. 

I believe counseling is most beneficial for individuals who are open to self-processing, self-exploration, and taking steps to make changes. As a counselor, I believe I can be a guide for my clients in this process and can provide tools my clients can learn to use to help them along with this. I know though that I cannot do the work for my clients and that ultimately doing the work will be up to them. 

So what exactly do I expect from my clients? At the least, I expect that they commit to actually attending their counseling sessions. Having sessions scheduled does not do much good for people who never go. 

Beyond that though, how much a person gets out of counseling depends on how much they put in.  

We promise to be there for you every step of your journey. Our goal is to help you grow from your struggles, and move forward to where you want to be in your life. 

We are  firm believers that our thoughts and beliefs play a large role in shaping how we feel and act. So, when we work with clients, we often focus on teaching skills for monitoring thoughts and developing skills to 

stop any of those self-defeating thought patterns that may be causing trouble for our clients. 

We know and respect that what works for one person will not necessarily work for everyone else, and we strive to work with each client to find specific steps to fit their individual needs. 

 It is our hope that we can do our best to help you as you work toward your goals in counseling. So, as we are working together, if you have any questions or feedback for us, please let us know. It is important to us to know how you are doing in the counseling process, and we are entirely open to hearing what you have to say, especially if there’s something that’s creating difficulties or confusion for you. So, please do not hesitate to share any concerns that might come up for you as we work together.

Outside the “Box” Therapy

As any private practitioner can attest, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to therapy. Finding the best course of treatment for each client means testing out different methods and forms before finding the most effective solution—and even then, you have to be ready to adjust and pivot as they progress. 

Flexibility and creativity with treatment methods is essential to achieving breakthrough and getting clients where they want to be. Some therapists, use the therapeutic qualities of nature and movement to enrich their clients’ experience. This method is known as walk-and-talk therapy, which has become an increasingly popular alternative to in-office sessions and even telehealth session. 

What’s walk-and-talk therapy?

Walk-and-talk therapy, sometimes referred to as hiking therapy, takes sessions outdoors. It can happen in a public park or on nearby trails. This alternative provides a new approach by infusing the benefits of fresh air and exercise into the therapy sessions. 

Movement, whether it is a leisurely walk or a brisk hike, can make it easier for some people to discuss their feelings. Clients may prefer to move or walk as opposed to sitting across from their therapist in an office or looking through a screen. 

Are there any ethical concerns about walk-and-talk therapy?

Aside from any potential physical concerns, there are some ethical questions to consider before you start your first walk. Once you venture out of the office or your home, you have less control over the privacy of your session. 

There is the possibility that you and your therapist will see someone the client knows, or you may come across someone who recognizes the therapist as a mental health professional. Depending on how busy the park or the trail is, there is also a chance your conversation may be overheard. 

These concerns may not bother some clients and won’t change their preference—but for others, giving up the privacy and confidentiality of their sessions may not be worth the sunshine and fresh air. This can be discussed prior to your first walk-and-talk, so we can make an informed decision together.

Some boundaries will need to be set up beforehand, like how client wants to proceed if they do see someone they know, or how often they want to stop to rest and drink water. That way, when you are out on the trail, you can use the walk to focus on your conversation—not distractions.