ERIN BURTON
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER (82814)
CERTIFIED BRAINSPOTTING THERAPIST IN CALIFORNIA
Are you ready to get unstuck and heal from the past?
You’re in the right place.
I’m Erin, a therapist dedicated to helping people just like you: women who are struggling with painful past experiences and relationships, who want to figure out what’s holding them back from living the life they want to live. I offer a compassionate space to explore and process past experiences, heal, and help you gain more confidence and security in relationships.
It’s easy to lose yourself when you’ve had painful past experiences. We will identify your concerns, explore your childhood experiences, attachment style, and relationship dynamics, in order to understand and change the patterns and behavior that are leaving you feeling anxious, depressed, disconnected, or stuck. We will also look at the intersections of gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. Your mental health concerns cannot be separated from the broader social, cultural, and systemic contexts in which they arise.
We will work collaboratively to move through the pain, shame, and self-doubt you may have felt. I am not here to tell you what to do. I’m here to help you explore and uncover what you need to move forward, whether in life transitions or relationships. I bring humor, compassion, and understanding to my work with clients. We will work on specific skills to help you heal from past trauma, cope with distressing emotions, communicate your needs and set boundaries, and feel more satisfied in relationships.
Therapy with me isn’t all sitting & talking.
We’ll use Brainspotting to help process and heal from trauma, emotional distress, and other challenges. Brainspotting helps us get to the parts of the brain that talk therapy doesn’t.
Brainspotting involves identifying and focusing on specific "brainspots" in the individual's field of vision, which are connected to the activation of traumatic or distressing memories or sensations. By maintaining attention on these spots, while working with a trained therapist, the person can access and process unresolved emotions and experiences at a deeper level, leading to greater healing and integration. Brainspotting aims to tap into the brain's natural ability to heal itself by utilizing the visual field and bilateral stimulation to facilitate the processing of trauma and promote psychological well-being.
I believe in the brain’s innate capacity to heal itself.
My core values
Exploring our past experiences can be a painful and difficult process. I am committed to my own therapeutic process and would never ask you to go anywhere I have not gone myself. I know that therapy can be uncomfortable, overwhelming, and filled with grief. I have personally lived through my own experiences with anxiety, depression, trauma, people pleasing, and burn out. These experiences led me on the path to become a therapist, and I know firsthand what it’s like to be the client. I know that the hard work you put into therapy can lead to positive changes, personal growth and transformation.
Compassion
I am dedicated to empathizing and understanding your unique struggles and life experiences. You are the expert on your life. I strive to create a safe space where your voice is heard and your emotions and vulnerabilities are valued. I offer support and guidance through your healing journey.
Empathy
Empathy is the foundation of our therapeutic relationship, allowing me to provide support, validation, and compassion as we navigate your unique journey towards healing and growth. Together, we will work collaboratively to unlock your inner strengths and empower you to find the resilience and solutions you seek.
Connection
I believe that the fit between therapist and client is imperative for successful growth and transformation. I meet you where you’re at without judgement or bias. Therapy is hard work and uncomfortable at times. We will move at your pace and you can share what you want when you are ready.
Education
Master of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley, Title IV-E program, Children and Families Concentration (2007)
BA in Psychology with a minor in Education University of California, Santa Cruz (2003)
Certification and Training
Certified Brainspotting Therapist since 2021
Phase 1, 2, and Expansion Brainspotting trained with Lisa Larson (2020 and 2021)
Phase 3 trained with David Grand (2024)
Dr. Karyl McBride’s 5-step recovery model for treating adult children of narcissistic parents from her book, Will I Ever Be Good Enough
Professional Experience
Social Worker for County of Santa Cruz Family and Children’s Services; child abuse/neglect investigator, foster care placement, and adoptions 2007-2019
