The Why behind my work…

About Erica Shick, PhD, LCPC

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My name is Erica Shick, Ph.D., I am a fellow traveler, counselor, and one of the lucky people who get to say they enjoy going to work each day!  I love working as a counselor helping people heal from childhood trauma by teaching them how to move past the hurt into a more stable and peaceful experience with confidence. 

Early on in my career many of the patients I treated in the hospital for severe depression and anxiety were really suffering from childhood complex trauma symptoms. These experiences taught me most patients were prisoners of their past traumas and current thoughts and emotions. They often felt stuck, hopeless, sad, had low energy, and had poor relationships if any. Some patients appeared to be successful in careers and have the ability to take on a lot but still had an overwhelming sense of sadness. Because of the nature of the level of care in the hospitals, I couldn't address the core of their problems. The best I could do is help them identify that the past was more than likely affecting their present day. Both the patients and I were frustrated with the lack of progress and I just couldn't believe there weren't more ways to help.

So I was led to open a practice to dedicate to the treatment of adult survivors of childhood trauma and dysfunctional families. Better Wellness Counseling is committed to helping clients be the person they want to be by identifying who they are without the story of the past blocking them from who they were born to be.  Clients learn to live in the present moment rather than yesterday or tomorrow, gain a new perspective, and learn how to stop the fight with the depression and anxiety monsters. 

At Better Wellness Counseling the focus is to teach people they can free themselves from the chains of depression and anxiety which hold them back. To do the work of healing, I work to create a space where you are heard, safe, and that your feelings matter. Depending on each client’s unique need I provide skill training, education, and homework. Often asking the hard questions is needed to help you gain a deeper insight, moving beyond a weekly vent session.

Getting to see people grow definitely is a benefit to my job, it's what keeps me doing what I do. More importantly, I believe we all have the ability to heal, grow and live a great life. We don't have to be held back by the past, our thoughts or emotions, and certainly not by what others think of us. You deserve to live the life you dream of and if you need help with figuring that out, I am here! 

Working in the field since 2008, I have worked in private practice, hospital outpatient programs, and non-profit organizations’ leadership positions.  My experience includes working with children, teens, and adults facing a variety of concerns including autism spectrum disorder, eating disorder, personality disorder, mood disorders, general anxiety disorders, complex trauma, and couples. 

I earned a Bachelor of Art in Psychology from Argosy University with a minor in Substance Abuse and I have a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Benedictine University. Working in several non-profit leadership positions I noticed business also had some of the same concerns as my private practice clients did…. frustration, a lack of direction, and sometimes, straight-up chaos. I returned to study organizations because I saw a need for assisting leaders, business owners, and teams thrive and navigate the challenges organizations face. As a result, I earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Development (It's like a counselor for business and leaders) from Benedictine University.

I favor several theoretical frameworks including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM)and Somatic Experiencing Therapy.