Erika Bielenstein

Bio

I aim to empower individuals to live more whole-heartedly through my affirming, client-centered, and trauma-informed approach. I am honored to bear witness to the lives and stories of my clients and to accompany them on their healing journeys. I believe strongly in the transformational power of vulnerability. As a client-centered therapist, I believe that my clients are the experts on their own lives. I approach therapeutic work hoping to co-create a safe and healing space with my clients, in order to allow for true vulnerability and openness. I work with my clients to cultivate empowerment and authenticity in their lives and relationships. I recognize the profound impact that structural dynamics of power and oppression have on individuals’ lives, and welcome the intersections of my clients’ visible and invisible identities, aiming to co-create a safe space for difficult conversations that allow clients to bring their full selves into the therapy room.

My therapeutic style is warm, relational, and client-centered. I am firmly rooted in feminist and trauma-informed frameworks. I am guided by values of social justice, and have been driven throughout my career by the desire to provide affirming, multiculturally competent services to a diverse and intersectional clientele. I specialize in the relational healing of trauma, mood disorders, and panic/anxiety disorders. I also have expertise providing crisis intervention and de-escalation, and working as part of an integrative medical team.

I have extensive training and experience working with LGBTQ+ and gender-expansive communities. I am passionate about providing LGBTQ+ and TGNC/NB affirming care, and recognize the unique challenges these populations face. I have expertise working with themes of gender and sexuality, identity formation, HIV/AIDS, non-monogamy/polyamory, and Kink/BDSM. I am aligned with body positivity, radical self acceptance, and fat liberation frameworks.

Additionally, I have significant training and experience serving migrant and refugee populations of all ages. I am honored to provide advocacy and support to diverse clients in navigating immigration traumas, stressors, and legal processes.

In-network insurances

Aetna • Blue Cross Blue Shield • Cigna • Humana • United • Self pay • Tricare

Specialties

Adjustment Disorder • Anger Management • Anxiety • Bipolar Disorder • Daytime Sleepiness • Depression • Gender Dysphoria • Grief and Loss/Bereavement • Insomnia • LGBTQIA+ • Life Coaching • Life Transition • Major Depressive Disorder • Mindfulness • Mood Disorders • Occupational Difficulties • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Trauma • Racial Identity • Relationship Issues • Sadness • Self Esteem • Sexual Dysfunction • Social Anxiety • Stress/Worry • Suicidal Thoughts • Women's Health Issues

Education and training

• Northern Arizona University, Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Sociology
• Roosevelt University, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Professional memberships

• American Counseling Association

Languages spoken

• English
• Spanish

Pronouns

• she/her/hers