Erika Phelan

About Erika

Erika Phelan is a compassionate and adaptable therapist known for her decade of experience in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers before transitioning to private practice. She takes pride in working with older adults, valuing their strong faith and deep-rooted value systems, which she finds integral to their healing journey.

Erika is especially driven to support this often underserved population in mental health, many of whom face depression and anxiety. Phelan What makes you enjoy working with seniors? I worked in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers for 10 years prior to working in private practice.

There are many things I enjoyed about working with older adults, including their value system and their strong faith (which can be so helpful in their healing process). They also are an underserved population in mental health and many experience depression and anxiety. Why do you think online therapy is effective for seniors?

Online therapy allows clients the convenience of having their sessions at home, and for older adults, this could be the deciding factor between whether they choose to have therapy or not. How do you approach therapy sessions? I personally come into the session with a warm demeanor and take the time to understand my client's story in order to choose the right path for therapy.

Throughout session, I check in with my client by using reflection (summarizing what he or she has said) to let my client know I am listening and to make sure I have understood what he or she is trying to tell me. What is your advice to someone who is starting therapy for the first time? Therapy should feel like a safe place.

It may take some time to become comfortable in opening up, especially when there is a past history of trauma, and that is normal, but sometimes it just means that you might need another therapist or psychologist. If this is the case, don't give up on therapy. Therapy can help address all of the emotional distress you are going through.