Erica James
MA, MSW, LSW

My goal in working with individuals has always been to help others discover a sense of peace, genuine happiness/joy, and confidence in becoming the version of themselves they can be proud of. When I consider the role that social media, society, and one's family or friends play in often projecting what we should be doing with our lives by certain ages and amidst specific circumstances where the “simple answer” may not feel so simple, I strive to cheerlead individuals towards the importance of finding their inner voice of strength and using it unapologetically in advocating one's needs and values that isn't required to align with others' expectations.

While I begin the therapeutic journey with a Client-Centered approach, I also incorporate therapeutic techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Strengths-Based Therapy, and play therapy for the child/adolescent populations connecting through preferred interests.

Clinical Areas of Interest and Training

I greatly enjoy working with adolescents through middle-adulthood, with extensive experience working with individuals facing challenges surrounding anxiety, depression, PTSD, relationship issues, setting boundaries, confidence/self-esteem building, parenting, co-parenting, adjustment to parenthood, perinatal/postpartum challenges, healthy communication, and building of a support system via social skills. I also specialize in working with the emerging adult population learning to navigate who they are/aspire to be separate from family or societal expectations, exploration of one's purpose and goals when deciding if the route of college vs. career is the best path to take following graduation, the search for motivation and drive when feeling fearful and uncertain of the future, understanding how peer and romantic relationships change and evolve through adulthood, and adjusting to a wide-range of life changes such as becoming a young parent or navigating the workforce that can occur while still learning who we are.

Education

I received my Bachelors Degree in Family Services from Eastern Illinois University, my 1st Masters Degree in Child & Adolescent Psychology from The Chicago School of Psychology, and my 2nd Masters Degree in Social Work at Aurora University. Since obtaining my initial Masters and LSW to follow, I’ve had the opportunity of working with both adolescent and adult women through residential facilities, and a wide range of populations including high acuity patients via inpatient hospitalization. I completed my internship with Will County Health Department through both the child/adolescent and adult behavioral units, which provided the opportunity of gaining true knowledge and insight as to how life’s challenges impact us all at various ages and stages along one’s life course.

License

I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the state of Illinois. My license number is: 150.115760