Ericka Lara, LCSW

Ericka Lara is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in California with 21 years of professional experience. She focuses on supporting adults through stress and anxiety, relationship and family conflicts, grief and loss, and symptoms of depression, drawing on practical skills and a warm, collaborative stance. As an LCSW, she brings training in clinical assessment, case formulation, and therapeutic interventions that address emotional and interpersonal challenges.

Ericka creates an open, nonjudgmental environment where thoughts and feelings can be explored honestly. She also works with people navigating caregiver stress, communication problems, divorce and separation, forgiveness, guilt and shame, isolation and loneliness, questions about life purpose and self-love, social anxiety and phobia, women's issues, and workplace concerns. Her approach centers on listening closely to each personâs experience and partnering with them to build coping strategies and clearer ways of relating to others.

Ericka recognizes that taking the first step toward therapy requires courage, and she affirms those who choose to begin. She offers supportive, goal-oriented care aimed at helping clients understand their patterns, find relief from distress, and move toward greater well-being.

Client-Centered and Narrative Approaches for Online Care

Ericka uses Client-Centered Therapy to create a supportive, empathic space where each personâs concerns guide the work. In this approach the therapist follows the clientâs lead, offering reflection and understanding to help people feel heard and develop their own solutions - it is well suited for stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, and building self-compassion.

She also uses Narrative Therapy, which helps people separate themselves from problems by exploring the stories they tell about their lives. By reexamining narratives around grief, identity, forgiveness, and life purpose, clients can discover alternative meanings and make changes that support healthier relationships and clearer goals.

Finding the right approach is part of the process, and Ericka partners with clients to determine what fits their needs, goals, and preferences. This collaborative process may combine elements from both approaches so care feels tailored and practical.

Online therapy with Ericka is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, giving flexibility for different schedules and communication styles. These options make it easier to access consistent support from a licensed professional while managing work, family, or geographic constraints.