Erica Arellanes-Rios

I'm Erica Arellanes-Rios (she/her/ella), a bilingual Latina therapist offering therapy in English and Spanish throughout Washington state. I specialize in working with adults — particularly women, first-generation individuals, and those navigating cultural identity — who are ready to reconnect with themselves on their own terms.

Growing up Latina, I know how much culture shapes the way we relate to our emotions, our bodies, our families, and ourselves. I bring that lived understanding into my practice. My clients often describe sessions with me as a place where they finally feel seen, not just heard. I work with adults dealing with anxiety, body image, life transitions, self-esteem, and parenting struggles. I am committed to meeting you where you are, not where the textbook says you should be.

My approach is collaborative, flexible, and always culturally grounded. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all therapy model — what works for one person may not work for another, and what works for a client from a collectivist family background may look very different than standard Western therapeutic models.

I draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Trauma-Focused CBT, among others. Above all, I'm person-centered — meaning you lead, and I follow your pace. My role is to ask better questions, help you notice patterns you've carried for years, and support you in building a relationship with yourself that doesn't require you to shrink.

Expect a conversation, not an interrogation. The first session is about getting to know each other — what brought you here, what you're hoping for, and what feels most pressing right now. There's no pressure to share everything at once. I'll ask some questions to understand your background, your life, and your goals. By the end of our first session, you should leave with a sense of what working together might look like and whether this feels like the right fit for you. I offer telehealth sessions statewide in Washington with some evening availability — because I know your life doesn't stop at 5 PM.