Erica Burns, MD, LCSW-C

Erica Burns brings 25 years of clinical experience to her practice in Maryland, guiding people through emotional healing, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. As a clinician holding an MD and an LCSW-C, she combines a medical perspective with clinical social work expertise - the LCSW-C designation denotes a licensed clinical social worker. Erica focuses on helping individuals manage stress and anxiety, rebuild self-esteem, and navigate depression while offering support for issues related to abandonment, adoption and foster care, attachment, and family dynamics.

She creates a respectful, nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore patterns that no longer serve them and learn practical tools to manage emotions, improve communication, and set healthy boundaries. Erica emphasizes collaboration, working with each person to identify goals and develop concrete strategies to move forward. Her approach centers on strengthening self-worth, addressing past wounds, and fostering more fulfilling relationships, tailored to the individual needs of those she sees.

Whether addressing coping with life changes, processing trauma such as sexual assault and abuse, or confronting guilt and shame, Erica aims to help clients gain clarity and confidence so they can pursue a more balanced and purposeful life.

Evidence-Based Techniques and Online Care

Erica uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on building practical skills to manage stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. These approaches help clients develop strategies for coping with overwhelming emotions, improving day-to-day functioning, and reducing symptom intensity in measurable ways.

She also works in an attachment-focused way to address relationship patterns and family of origin issues, helping clients understand relational dynamics and develop healthier ways of connecting with others. For people processing past wounds such as abandonment, adoption experiences, or sexual trauma, Erica employs supportive therapeutic work that helps make sense of those experiences and supports gradual healing.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Erica partners with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts techniques over time to find what works best.

Online therapy with Erica is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules and varied comfort levels. These options make it easier to access regular support, maintain continuity of care, and fit therapy into daily life while working with a licensed professional.