Ericka Bassey, LCSW, LICSW

Ericka Bassey is a clinically licensed social worker who brings decades of experience across clinical, hospital, and community mental health settings. She earned her Master of Social Work from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work in 1994 and has provided emotional health services in a variety of settings since that time. Ericka holds both LCSW and LICSW credentials - LCSW refers to a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and LICSW denotes a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - and she obtained her LICSW in 2010.

Her practice emphasizes a holistic view of health and healing, combining practical strategies with a compassionate, client-centered stance. Ericka partners with people at different stages of their lives, helping them address stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, relationship and family concerns, addiction, mood disorders, and other challenges. She adapts her approach to each person’s needs and meets individuals where they are, allowing them to define their difficulties and priorities.

Known for kindness and a collaborative manner, Ericka focuses on tailored interventions that support whole-person well-being. Her work integrates evidence-informed techniques while honoring each client’s pace and goals, with an emphasis on practical skills and long-term coping and resilience.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Ericka uses client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as core approaches in her practice. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating a respectful, nonjudgmental partnership where the therapist follows the client’s lead and supports self-exploration and personal goals; it is helpful for people seeking a supportive space to process life transitions, grief, relationship issues, and identity concerns. CBT is a skills-oriented approach that helps people identify unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and develop practical strategies to reduce anxiety, manage mood challenges, and improve day-to-day functioning.

Ericka also integrates elements of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) when emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and relationship skills are priorities. DBT provides concrete tools for managing intense emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can be useful for individuals facing trauma, mood instability, or chronic stress. Deciding which approach to use is collaborative - the therapist and client work together to select or blend methods based on the client’s needs, goals, and preferences.

Online therapy with Ericka is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access support from home or while traveling, and choose the communication style that best fits each person’s life.