Hi! I am Erika Held, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) for Alegría Family Counseling. As a LMHC, I have the privilege of working with children, adolescents, adults, and families to support their emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs. In my role, I assess concerns, provide individual and family therapy, develop treatment plans, and help clients build coping skills they can use in their daily lives. I support clients dealing with issues such as anxiety, trauma, depression, behavior challenges, family stress, and life transitions. I also collaborate with caregivers, schools, and other professionals to ensure clients receive consistent and supportive care.
When clients receive mental health counseling, they can expect a safe, supportive space to be heard, understood, and respected. Therapy helps clients better understand their emotions, improve communication, develop healthy coping strategies, and build confidence. Over time, many clients experience reduced emotional distress, improved behavior, stronger relationships, and greater resilience when facing challenges.
Additionally, when providing counseling services for children and families, we also have to take into consideration the many stressors that can affect their lives. Trauma, separation, school pressures, and emotional struggles can deeply impact development, behavior, and relationships. Early mental health support is important because it can help children learn how to regulate emotions, express themselves, and feel safe and supported. When families receive guidance and tools through therapy, they are better able to communicate, problem-solve, and strengthen their relationships. These services not only help address current challenges but also promote long-term emotional health, helping children grow into healthier, more confident adults.
Personally, there are many client achievements that have stayed with me. One of my favorite success stories involves a kindergarten-aged child who came to therapy struggling with separation anxiety, especially during school drop-off. Saying goodbye to their parents was overwhelming and often led to tears and distress. Through consistent support and therapeutic work, the child gradually became more confident and began separating independently without needing reassurance. Seeing that growth was incredibly rewarding, and it was made even more meaningful when the child’s mom shared that a school drop-off had gone smoothly and successfully—something that once felt out of reach. Moments like that remind me how powerful small steps of progress can be and why I am so passionate about this work.
Parents are essential partners in this process. Beyond tools and strategies, therapy provides support and guidance to help caregivers better understand their child and feel more confident in responding to their needs. For those who feel unsure about starting, I often remind them that choosing to seek support reflects how deeply they care.
Through consistency and caregiver involvement, meaningful change is possible. Most importantly, I want families to know they are not alone—we are here to walk alongside them every step of the way.
English 
Spanish