Erika Unberhagen

I was a police officer for 14 years but those years took their toll on me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. By the time I left that career behind, I was an alcoholic with undiagnosed PTSD, divorced, and childless. Homelessness soon followed - along with the loss of my sanity. I knew that something was wrong with me, but I did not know what. I only knew that what stared back at me through a mirror was no longer "me." During my second stay at an inpatient treatment facility (the first of several), I figured out that I wanted to somehow make a difference in how warriors were treated when they were the ones who needed help. First, however, I had to become willing to accept the help I desperately needed to become well again. I also had to embrace the concept that true strength lies in asking for help and a willingness to receive it. Twelve years later and two years into recovery, I returned to school to begin the journey toward providing substance abuse and mental health counseling for our nation's first responders and military. My mission is to advocate for and provide mental health services for our nation's warriors and do everything within my power to ensure another's cry for help goes unanswered. We can and DO recover, and I will be there with you every step of the way.

I approach therapy with evidence-based practices that include a person-centered, humanistic, strengths-based approach. Trauma is hard to talk about, and I do everything possible to keep clients calm and centered, using sensory devices when appropriate, including a professional massage chair.

1. A warm welcome and introduction to establish rapport.
2. An overview of the session's goals and agenda.
3. A discussion about your background and specific needs.
4. An assessment of your current situation or challenges.
5. Collaborative goal-setting to outline desired outcomes.
6. A brief introduction to tools or methods that will be used.