Hello, my name is Erika Abbruzzese, and I am happy that you’re here! Allow me to introduce myself.

I am originally from West Virginia, but grew up in Georgia where I received my Bachelors in Psychology with a minor in Human Development & Family Science at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). Afterwards I left my home in Georgia and took the country roads back north to get my Master’s in Counseling at West Virginia University. For me Charlotte, North Carolina has always been a halfway point when driving back and forth between Georgia to West Virginia, so I decided to make this lovely city my permanent home. Now that I’m settled, I have been blessed with the opportunity to pursue my career as a counselor at Calming Waters Counseling Services.

As an LCMHCA I work with ages 3 to 25 years old, with a particular passion for younger children. When working with my older clients I am able to step into their world by engaging in an integrative lens, specifically utilizing approaches that are person-centered, trauma-informed, and attachment focused. I tend to utilize techniques that align with principals of Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), such as encouraging my clients to lean into their emotions/thoughts, discover what their values are and how to pursue a life that is in sync with them, and how to work on acceptance. My clients are often struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, ADD, OCD, autism, child trauma, overwhelming stress, grief, and young adult issues.

When working with children I employ play therapy techniques, and as a staff member of Calming Waters I will be receiving training and supervision that will guide me into becoming a Registered Play Therapist. Play therapy is a natural form of expression for children and is an evidence-based practice in the mental health field. I take a child-centered approach, which gives space for children to do the work that they need to do and to be the leader of what direction we take our sessions in, all in a way that developmentally makes sense to them. With these children I often help them with anxiety, depression, social skills, school adjustment, emotional dysregulation, trauma, ADHD, ADD, OCD, autism, LGBT issues, grief, and self-harm.

For all clients I work with, no matter where they are starting from, I strive to provide empathetic understanding, validation that is genuine, a healthy client-counselor connection, and a safe place for clients to heal their emotional wounds. I look forward to working with you or your children to help you all become the best and brightest version of yourselves that you can be.