Erika Thompsen

Erika Thompsen is a board-certified, Registered Art Therapist, a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in New York, a Licensed Professional Art Therapist in New Jersey, and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Purchase and a Master of Science from The College of New Rochelle in Art Therapy and Counseling in 2012. Erika has an extensive range of clinical experience with clients of all ages in inpatient and outpatient psychiatry settings. She has been focusing and deepening her clinical understanding of the specific needs of children and adolescents since 2017. Erika believes that art has the inherent ability to heal and that everyone has potential for change and can achieve emotional well-being using art making and creativity. She found her passion for art making at an early age and soon understood that art could help her express herself in ways words could not. Combining her love of art and psychology, she soon understood the powerful impact Art Therapy had on those struggling with mental illness. Between her drive for excellence and her early clinical experiences, Erika developed excellence working with very challenging individual and family situations, including with underserved populations and within at-risk communities. She specializes in working with children & adolescents, adult psychiatric clients, and combat Veterans. Erika has extensive experience working with a variety of disorders, however specializes in working individuals who struggle with Depression, Anxiety, Substance Abuse, PTSD, major life transitions, and trauma. Erika can develop strong working relationships with children & clients of any age, including those who are resistant to therapy. Utilizing a person-centered approach, the safe, nurturing environment she creates helps her clients openly express themselves and work towards healing. The relationship Erika develops with her clients through art, play, and sand-tray helps them to gain self-awareness, increase self-esteem, and improve their sense of well-being.