Dr. Erika Mateus

I’m Dr. Erika Mateus, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 12 years of experience supporting adults through anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and am also a Doctor of Integrative Medicine, which informs my holistic and mind–body approach to mental health care.

My work is especially shaped by years of supporting clients navigating chronic stress, burnout, trauma, grief, anxiety, depression and relational patterns that repeat despite insight or effort. I work primarily with adults from diverse cultural backgrounds and have a strong interest in women’s issues, relationship dynamics, trauma recovery, and stress-related concerns. I also have experience supporting individuals connected to military life and clients balancing demanding professional or caregiving roles.

Clients often describe me as warm, present, and deeply attuned. I value creating a space where you feel genuinely understood—without judgment or pressure to “perform” in therapy. I believe healing happens when emotional awareness, insight, and practical change come together in a way that feels grounded, compassionate, and sustainable.

Therapy with me is collaborative and intentional. I tailor treatment to each individual, drawing from evidence-based approaches while honoring your unique history, values, and goals. My aim is not only symptom relief, but helping you build clarity, emotional resilience, and a stronger connection to yourself and your relationships.

My approach to therapy is integrative, relational, and evidence-based. I believe meaningful change happens when we address both the emotional roots of distress and the practical patterns that keep people feeling stuck. I work collaboratively with clients to help them better understand themselves, process difficult emotions, and make intentional changes that align with their values and goals.

I draw from approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Behavioral Activation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Psychodynamic and Humanistic therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions. As a Doctor of Integrative Medicine, I also incorporate a mind–body perspective, helping clients understand how stress, emotions, and life experiences affect both mental and physical well-being.

Sessions are tailored to each individual. Some sessions focus on insight and emotional processing, while others emphasize skill-building, behavior change, or navigating relationship dynamics and life transitions. I strive to balance depth with practicality so therapy feels supportive, grounded, and applicable to everyday life.

Above all, I aim to create a safe, attuned space where clients feel respected, empowered, and supported in developing resilience, clarity, and a stronger connection to themselves and others.

In our first session, my priority is creating a space where you feel comfortable, heard, and supported. We’ll spend time getting to know what brings you to therapy, what you’ve been experiencing, and what you hope to gain from this work. There’s no pressure to share everything at once—therapy moves at a pace that feels safe and respectful for you.

I’ll ask thoughtful questions to better understand your current challenges, life context, and any patterns that may be contributing to how you’re feeling. Together, we’ll begin identifying goals for therapy and discussing how we can work collaboratively to support your needs. You can expect a balance of listening, reflection, and gentle guidance.

Many clients leave the first session feeling more clarity, relief, and a sense of direction. My goal is for you to feel grounded, validated, and confident that therapy can be a supportive and meaningful space for growth.