Hello and thank you for being here. If you are reading these words, something tells me you are meant to be here.
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I believe emotional honesty is at the heart of any healthy relationship and to model that here is my truth, I did not set out to become a therapist. In my early years, I wanted to be a cop, actress, or a marine biologist. However, throughout my childhood, I was always drawn to go deep in my relationships. Often being told as a child, I was too deep, or too sensitive. My first therapist in college helped me reframe that narrative, “you experience life deeply”, she said. Born and raised in Charlotte, NC I made my way to the mountains of Western NC just as soon as I could leave home. My first stop was in Boone, NC where I studied Psychology at Appalachian State University and found a path forward that made sense to me. Destined to create a life better than what I had known, I set out to become the person for others that I never knew how to be for myself, learning to love and embrace all parts of myself and helping others to do the same.
Erica Perez, LCSW, LCAS
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, I focus on women’s issues, trauma, and addiction recovery. I am not a therapist who only learned about trauma and addiction from books and education. If you are motivated to move beyond the challenges of your current or past life in search of deeper meaning and purpose, I am here to help. Healing is both a practice and a process and the client’s who benefit most from working with me are up for the challenge.
There will be times when we laugh together, grieve together, and tap into unknown courage to face our problems. And other times where we discuss the latest must watch TV shows. It all belongs. My saying is “your healing is my blessing”, but of course it is a two way street. We can only keep what we have, by giving it away. Thank you for giving purpose to my pain and I look forward to returning that gift. We are healing together.
Fun facts about me
Being a mom has been one of the best gifts in my life. It challenges me and has given me the motivation to grow and change in ways that I am most grateful for. My son is a magical being who I love sharing adventures with.
I am biracial and a Gemini, dancing with the dualities of life is inherent in my DNA. I am a Puerto Rican southern gal. Born and raised in Charlotte, NC. Gemini sun, Sagittarius moon, Virgo rising.
I have a bit of a thrill seeker side to myself - enjoying activities like jumping off waterfalls, skydiving, flying down a snow covered mountain on my snowboard, or traveling into remote places to explore hidden gems.
I have a cat named Cairo. He is Siamese and is helping me heal some pet attachment wounds from childhood. He is a very good boy.
I lived in England for a few months during 2010, on a Psychology study abroad. This is where I learned about Eco-Psychology. Studying abroad was one of the best decisions of my life. I have had wanderlust ever since.
