Erin Ridley

Hello!! I graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelors Degree in Biology and Chemistry, then with a Masters Degree in Community Counseling with a focus on Adults. I started in community mental health at Irene Stacy CMHC working with the severe and persistent mentally ill until I was able to begin my position in the Co-Occuring program with adults with addiction/alcoholism and Mental Health Disorders. But my most recent experience has been as an Outpatient Counselor and In School Therapist for Elementary through High School students. So I have about fourteen years of experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) working with almost all ages with a variety of Mental Health Disorders along with Substance Use Disorders. I love my job, I love helping people, and I love how much my client have taught me.

Working with a wide variety of people, I have had to learn to use several approaches in therapy. I have used Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, along with several others. I also focus on developing strong Coping Skills for symptoms, stress, anger, triggers and more. I will also focus on Assertiveness skills, Healthy boundaries, having supports, and self care.

Our first session will mostly be getting to know one another, asking questions of one another, answer any questions about therapy or what to expect and hopefully laughing a little. I do my best to help you feel welcome, comfortable, and hopefully feeling safe (or will be) and free to be yourself. I will also want to know what is going on with your mental health or what prompted you to start or restart therapy, your history with symptoms, treatment, stressors, family life, and goals for therapy and for your life. I like to know where you have come from and where you are going.