Erika Garcia specializing in bilingual English and Spanish therapy with children, anxiety, depression, and domestic violence for adults.

Erika Garcia, MA, MFT

The reality is that as human beings we all need help. However, we like to believe that “we can make it on our own”. Eventually at some point in our life we realize that we can benefit from talking to someone and our quest begins… When we are searching for a therapist we have so many questions in regards to our level of comfort with telling our most private and intimate situations to someone who initially will be to us a “total stranger”. Will this person understand my situation, will he/she really be able to help? Will their personality adapt with mine, will he/she like me, will I like him/her? Am I ready to accept that I can use another person in my life to give me some guidance and to help me solve my personal situation? All these are valid and very common questions each and every person faces when considering psychotherapy and counseling.

The first step is to ask your self: “Am I ready to start this process in my life?” If the answer is yes, then contacting someone who has expertise in your area of concern is the next step. Once you have set your first appointment everything else will fall into place. All you have to do is to take the first step once you realize that you are ready.

I am open and willing to assist you if you decide I am the right therapist for you. The following includes some of my experience and areas of expertise: I have been working in counseling for the past twelve years, during which I have earned my MA in Counseling Psychology and my license as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California. These twelve years of experience have also allowed me to work with people of different ages, cultures and psycho-social backgrounds. Therefore I have acquired experience in the following areas:

• Children ages 5-12: Issues with school, ADD, ADHD, divorce, depression, anxiety, shyness, low self esteem, family, child abuse, and trauma.
• Adults: Anxiety, depression, pre-marital counseling, marital counseling, domestic violence, parenting, childhood abuse and trauma; grief and loss, and women's issues. Adults dealing with church/ministry conflicts.
• Elderly: depression, anxiety and existential challenges .
In addition to the above mentioned experiences, I also like to integrate biblical principles with my counseling practice. I have been a Christian believer for the last 21 years of my life, and I believe in the wisdom and power of God to help you through whatever issue you might be facing today. I look forward to start working with you!

Speaking, Groups and Experience
Parenting classes to parents in the Oceanside School District, specifically at Libby Elementary School
Parenting classes at North County Lifeline to school-referred parents
Leading women’s bible study classes
Leading groups for domestic violence intervention

Education
MA in Counseling Psychology, National University
License and Membership
Licensed in the state of California as a Marriage and Family Therapist License #MFC41769
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)

Languages
Bilingual Spanish