I’m a strategist, coach, psychologist, marketer, and teacher of 20 years. I work from a depth psychological and archetypal frame, which means tending to unconscious forces – cultural and personal – that shape our inner worlds, daily lives and work endeavors.
I often like to say that I have a Ph.D in existential paralysis.
This is a theme that has inhabited my psyche and plagued my human experience for as long as I can remember. And the beautiful thing about it? It has given me the deepest insight into the human condition — why and where we get stuck, what we avoid, what it means to feel utterly disconnected and without meaning, and how to move from that space without invoking rainbows and unicorns.
I understand the depths. I love meeting my clients there. And I am passionate about meeting the world there.
I do have an actual Ph.D, appropriately, in Depth Psychology.
What’s that you ask? It’s the realm of psychology that tends to the shadows, complexes, and archetypes of the human soul and psyche, and the cultural conditions we all find ourselves living in. It’s the psychology of Carl Jung and James Hillman and Marie-Louis von Franz. It’s the psychology of awe and dreams and the dark nights of the soul.
And most importantly, it’s the psychology of wholeness, of becoming and belonging to ourselves and to our communities. It is about repair, contribution, purpose, and social progress.
Combined with my 20+ years of work as a strategist, coach, facilitator, and marketer, and my early career in politics and policy, I have arrived in a place where I’m deeply committed to tending to the wounds of individualism, meaninglessness, and isolation that are rampant in our modern lives.
I believe the most meaningful work we can do is to transcend the huge gap between ourselves and the worlds, communities, and cultures around us — whether this is through our projects, businesses, careers, or other places where we embody and live out our values.
At the core of this is being able to answer the question, what do you believe in? What do you stand for? What moves you?
Overcoming existential dread — a place we are all finding ourselves more and more these days — has been my life’s work, and it is my life’s mode of service.
Oftentimes, I fill in where most therapies, psychologies, online programs, consultants, coaches, and business strategies all fall short.
Credentials & Background.
I hold a Ph.D. in Jungian and Archetypal Depth Psychology and a degree from the UCLA Honors Program in Political Science and International Relations. My practice draws from years of experience in business strategy, brand development, communications, executive leadership, activism, policy, and marketing, augmented by principles of meditative and somatic practice.
- Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute
- Veda Center Teacher (100-Hour Certified) in 12 modalities of meditation and mindfulness
- Majors PTI Personality Type Assessment – Certified to administer for leaders and teams
- 10+ Years teaching and practicing somatic movement arts and conscious embodiment for women
Clients have included individuals and teams at Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix, Toyota, Tencent, and across industries from harm reduction and fine art to ed-tech, women’s health, non-profit foundations, and entrepreneurship.
Fun fact, I once trained and worked as a wilderness survival guide and had my parachuting license.
Erika has helped me access a deeper awareness and clarity in my thoughts, needs and actions. All aspects of my life have grown. Our work has helped me rebuild strained relationships with family, progress my career through leadership development, and tap into a more powerful, peaceful and authentic me. In reflection, I really don’t know what direction my life would have taken without the work we’ve done together. Thank you for all that you’ve helped me find along the way in this journey.
It’s hard to encapsulate into words the affect you have had on my life as you’ve helped me though so many things you will never know. Your words and guidance has stuck with me far past our time in the room or total engagement. There’re tons of things that have made it into my everyday life, and lots I still contemplate. You are truly magical and I can’t thank you enough.
Working with Erika was a godsend. She helped me organize and collect my creative business ideas in a way that was professional, marketable, and scalable. She instilled in me the confidence to move forward and launch my business. Erika is compassionate, professional and grounded in the work she does with her clients.
It’s the best investment I’ve made in myself. Working with Erika has rewarded me several times over. I keep coming back to the work, and I’ve created a life that I absolutely LOVE .
My energy at work has changed and my coworkers have noticed. I feel more centered when making decisions and aware when I am not. I honestly don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t started meeting with you. It’s changed my life and perspective drastically. I am a firm believer that everyone could use your coaching. Thank you!!