I love working with Erika! This experience has been amazing and i really appreciate her ear and expertise! Thank you!
Erika Merla, LCSW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Erika is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 5.0 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Erika. View 1 review
- Speaks English and Spanish
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Texas
Recent reviews
More about Erika
- 15 years' experience
- Female
- LCSW
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Therapist with 15 years of experience working with youth and adults from diverse populations. I take pride in assisting clients with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, anger management, life transitions, coping with grief and loss, and relationship issues. Together we can identify what you want to experience and explore what is holding you back. We will work together to develop new tools that can assist you in breaking unhelpful patterns and getting on a path toward living the life you want. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Grief
Anger management
Depression
Coping with life changes
Addictions
LGBT
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse
Intimacy-related issues
Eating disorders
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Coaching
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Abandonment
Aging and geriatric issues
Attachment issues
Blended family issues
Body image
Caregiver issues and stress
Chronic pain, illness, and disability
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Control issues
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Divorce and separation
Eating and food-related issues
Emptiness
Family problems
Fatherhood issues
First responder issues
Forgiveness
Gender dysphoria
Guilt and shame
HIV / AIDS
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Impulsivity
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Life purpose
Men's issues
Midlife crisis
Money and financial issues
Mood disorders
Multicultural concerns
Narcissism
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Personality disorders
Phobias
Postpartum depression
Post-traumatic stress
Pregnancy and childbirth
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-love
Sexuality
Social anxiety and phobia
Women's issues
Workplace issues
Young adult issues
Treatment Approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Gottman Method
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Licenses
Erika Merla's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1275365751.
- LCSW · Texas · 104329 · Expires February 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, sometimes called teletherapy, refers to talk therapy delivered remotely through digital platforms, such as video calls, phone calls, or chat. It can be a great option for people who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy, such as those living in remote areas, individuals with mobility issues, or people with busy schedules that make it difficult to attend in-person sessions.
Teletherapy also offers greater convenience and flexibility, allowing clients to access care from the comfort of their homes. Research shows that the treatment outcomes with online counseling are often just as effective as with traditional therapy, providing a viable alternative for individuals seeking mental health support.
Reviews for Erika Merla
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
I love working with Erika! This experience has been amazing and i really appreciate her ear and expertise! Thank you!
Frequently asked questions
Does Erika Merla offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Erika Merla works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Erika Merla speak?
Erika Merla speaks English and Spanish.
How many years of experience does Erika Merla have?
Erika Merla has 15 years of experience.
Where is Erika Merla licensed to practice?
Erika Merla is licensed to practice in Texas.
Does Erika Merla accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Erika Merla does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Erika Merla offer?
Erika Merla offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.
How can I communicate with Erika Merla?
Erika Merla can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Erika Merla?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.