About Erika McGough, LPC

Erika has been working in the mental health field since 2016, and brings experience in working with individuals across the lifespan and in various different settings.  She is most passionate about supporting postpartum mothers and moms navigating parenting in early childhood, and also enjoys working with women transitioning through major life adjustments, dealing with depression and anxiety, or experiencing family and relational stressors.  Erika also enjoys working with children and teens.  When not at work, she can be found spending time with her family, in her mini backyard ‘urban homestead,’ or exploring and capturing the landscapes of Alaska via photography or painting.  She embraces the motto “no bad weather, only bad clothes,"  enjoys adventuring outside in each Alaskan season, and is a devoted customer of her local drive-through coffee shop.

Education and Training

In 2008, Erika attended Chadron State College where she earned a Bachelor of Art in Art and Graphic Design.  After exploring career paths and finding herself intrigued by psychology and human nature, Erika went on to attend Colorado Christian University where she earned her Master of Arts in Counseling in 2018.  Erika is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Alaska and Colorado.

Experience

Erika has experience with individuals in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders.  She worked within supportive housing and shelter systems serving underinsured and marginalized populations for several years before stepping into the private practice arena, where she found herself drawn to maternal mental health. She currently works with women, teens, and children.

Counseling Perspective

As a provider, Erika uses an integrative framework and believes in a holistic and person-centered approach to care.  Her goal is to work alongside clients so they feel supported, validated, and understood as she assists them in managing and alleviating symptoms and concerns through a compassionate, gentle, solution-focused, and strength-based approach.   She believes it can be life-changing to have someone who 'gets it,’ and wants clients to know that whatever your unique circumstance, you don't have to do it alone.  You deserve support, you deserve healing, and you deserve hope.  As a person-centered therapist, Erika believes therapy should be tailored to each individual and that each person is the expert in their own life story.  Interventions are shaped by attachment theory, and may include, but are not limited to; talk therapy, CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and Brainspotting.