Erika Abbruzzese, LCMHC-A

Pineville Office

About Me

Erika works with children as young as three, adolescents, and adults, creating a warm, supportive space where clients can feel safe, understood, and free to move at their own pace. Her work may include individual, sibling, and group counseling, as well as parent consultation. When working with children, Erika views parents and caregivers as valued partners in the counseling process and looks forward to walking alongside families as they learn more about their child's unique needs, build practical tools, and strengthen connections at home.

Her integrative, person-centered approach is trauma-informed and attachment-focused. Erika incorporates child-centered and play-based counseling and draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), tailoring her approach to each client's developmental stage, strengths, and goals. She supports children, teens, and adults navigating ADHD, autism, OCD, anxiety, depression, life transitions, school and peer challenges, emotional dysregulation, trauma, grief, and relationship concerns.

Erika holds a master's degree in counseling from West Virginia University and a bachelor's degree in psychology, with a minor in human development and family science, from the University of Georgia. Above all, she believes meaningful growth begins with feeling seen, accepted, and supported. Her goal is to meet every client exactly where they are, with empathy, genuine validation, and a little, or a lot, of room for fun along the way!

Specializations & Interests

• Child-Centered and Play-Based Counseling Including Art-Based and Sand Tray Techniques
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills
• Parent Consultation & Family Support
• ADHD, Autism, and Neurodiversity-Affirming Care
• Emotional Regulation, Anxiety, & Life Transitions
• Trauma, Grief, & Relationship Challenges

Experience

In practice since 2024, joined C&FD in 2026.

Outside of Work

When Erika is not helping children build confidence and resilience, she enjoys keeping up with her own adventures! She loves CrossFit, hot yoga, walks, and the occasional hike, and she's always excited to try a new restaurant or share laughs with friends. At home, she's busy being a proud cat mom and playing fetch with her feline sidekick. Erika believes that fun, movement, and meaningful connections are important ingredients for a happy life.