“Discovering the truth about ourselves is a lifetime’s work, but it’s worth the effort.”
~Fred Rogers
Hi! I am Erin (she/her) and I want to thank you for being here. I am so glad you found your way to Peace Community Counseling, and I would love to share a little about the person behind it.
I am a former teacher with more than 20 years of experience working with children, teens, and families. I truly loved teaching, but throughout my career, I found myself increasingly drawn to the social-emotional side of learning. Supporting my students as they were developing character, building self-esteem, learning to work through challenges and finding the courage to take healthy risks truly lit my fire. I also loved connecting and working with the families of my students and being part of the team supporting their growth and well-being. I valued helping youth understand and express their emotions in healthy ways, develop emotional regulation and communication skills, and build the confidence to navigate challenges at school and in life!
So... I went back to school to fulfill my dream of becoming a counselor, earning my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with specialized coursework and training in Adventure and Nature Therapy, Social Justice Counseling, and Group Counseling for Teens.
Along the way, I have also had the opportunity to work with older adults, which has been such a meaningful part of my experience! All of these past experiences have helped me discover how much I genuinely love working with teens, young adults, and older adults. I am grateful for getting to know people in these different seasons of life, hearing their stories, learning from their perspectives, and helping them feel a little less alone as they figure out what comes next.
Because I know it can be helpful to have a sense of the person behind the professional role, here are just a few things about me outside of counseling: I value time with my family and friends (and my pets), exploring new places, spending time outdoors, and being near the water. Kayaking, swimming, or simply being by the water are my peace places! I also value authentic connection, community, inclusivity, and learning from the many different perspectives people bring to the world! I love an extra slow morning with hot coffee, exploring local bakeries, listening to music at an abnormally loud volume, and embracing all things cozy. :)
My top three favorite self-care practices are going to therapy (because counselors need counselors, too!), a good night's sleep and a slow walk in nature. I strive to be the kind of therapist who continues to learn, grow, reflect, and do my own work right alongside the very special people I support. I do not think we ever stop learning and growing, and I believe that is something worth the investment!
My Credentials:
License Type: Ohio Licensed Professional Counselor
License Number: C.2608516
I am working under the supervision of Brian Strozewski, LPCC-S, CCAT
Meet Your Counselor
My Approach to Counseling
My dream as a counselor is to build authentic, meaningful relationships and take the time to truly get to know you! Instead of trying to gain as many clients as possible, I am intentionally building a practice where I can keep a small caseload so I am able to pour my heart into the special folks I work with. It is important to me that you feel valued and genuinely supported and are given the time and space to feel cared about as you grow!
My years as a teacher taught me something I carry with me into counseling: we all learn differently. What helps one person understand something might not work for someone else. I believe counseling should be the same way! As an integrative counselor, I draw from different counseling approaches and tailor our work together to fit you. Your needs, your goals, your personality, your experiences, and the way you naturally think, connect, and process all matter. We can figure out what feels helpful and meaningful for you, rather than trying to fit you into a predetermined way of doing therapy.
Why Peace Community Counseling?
I chose the name Peace Community Counseling because I would love to bring folks like you to this space to slow down, process emotions, and work through the things you carry so you can create more mental and emotional space for peace in your everyday life. Sometimes, peace is simply being with a counselor who will sit (walk, swing or kayak) with so you do not carry everything alone.
The five letters in PEACE reflect the values at the heart of this practice and the mission I hope to carry into my work: Purpose, Empathy, Acceptance, Community, and Encouragement. These values shape the kind of space I want to create. PCC is a place where you can be your authentic self, feel supported without judgment or pressure, and explore who you are and who you are growing to be!
I believe growth is a lot like nature. It takes time, patience, and care. It can also be tricky and challenging sometimes. And while counseling can hold hard conversations and meaningful work, it can also hold curiosity, creativity, humor, and joy! This important Growth Work does not have to be so heavy all the time! I love weaving humor, play, hands-on activities, games, creativity, and plenty of laughter into our work together when it feels right for you. Sometimes, those lighter moments can help us connect and make difficult things feel a little more manageable.
I am here to help you find your peace.
A Note to Caregivers:
If you are here exploring counseling for your teen, I wonder whether you would invite your teen to take a look around my site with you! I really value giving teens a voice in choosing their counselor and encouraging them to trust their own sense of whether I might be a good fit for them or not... After all, the relationship we build together is such an important part of counseling! It can be really meaningful for them to have a choice in the counselor they begin working with.
Contact
Peace Community Counseling
254 West Johnstown Road
Gahanna, Ohio 43230
Call or Text: 614-285-6575