About Me

Erica Wassenaar LMHC, NCC, RPT-S

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I offer a safe place for my clients to be who they really are. You’re already enough.

I tend to want to increase the joy in our lives. Using play (even for adults!), storytelling, metaphors, & things like pop culture, we can build a rapport that’s based in mutual authenticity.

I believe our best healing happens when a person’s entire ecosystem is taken into account. This is called a Systems approach, looking at work, family, hobbies, culture, and communities. While there are things we can change, there are also things we learn to accept.

While this is an underlying belief, my approach is focused on the needs of each individual client or family and tailored to their specific needs.

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What you can expect from me:

  • I don’t assign homework 

  • I am hands-on, using experiential learning

  • We’ll use your imagination to unlock hidden, subconscious content

  • Looking to early childhood experiences to guide us moving forward 

  • An in-depth analysis of various parts of you

What I expect from you

  • You do your best to bring your true self to the table once trust has been established

  • You will find the courage to be creative

  • For families: Parents play a major role in helping their kids with challenging beliefs and behaviors, so you will be a BIG part of therapy.

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My Approach

EMDR

This stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, a trauma treatment created and empirically validated in the last 50 years.

The first two phases of EMDR are rooted in relationship, assessment, state shifting, which requires time. There are no "shoulds" in this process and require one to be fully ready in order to be most effective.

One of the great advantages to this type of therapy is it is a somatic therapy, it doesn't require memory-recall or that details to be shared with me. It just asks for you to know how it feels when you think of your past.

Adlerian Psychology

Adlerian psychology, founded by Alfred Adler, emphasizes the importance of social interest and community feeling in human development. It believes that individuals are motivated by a desire to belong and to contribute to society, highlighting the social nature of human beings.

A key concept in Adlerian psychology is the idea of inferiority feelings, which arise from perceived weaknesses or shortcomings. These feelings can motivate individuals to strive for improvement and personal growth, but if not managed well, they may lead to inferiority complexes that affect self-worth and behavior. Adlerian therapy helps individuals develop a sense of belonging and overcome these feelings by fostering encouragement, social interest, and personal responsibility.

Learn more about Adlerian Psychology here

Learn more about Adlerian Play Therapy here

Trauma-Informed

I use a trauma-informed, person-centered, collaborative approach to therapy. You get to decide what the goals you have, which sometimes change during the therapeutic process as you understand yourself.

I don't believe in cookie cutter treatment, nor do I believe everyone is on the same timeline with their healing. Trauma knows its own timeline.

Trauma-informed therapy gives you a safe and supportive space to understand and heal from the impact of traumatic experiences, considering your agency, need for slowness, and minding how much disclosure happens.

Strengths-based, Positive Psychology

When a therapist focuses less on what you are doing wrong or need to change, and more on what is already great about you, it feels different. These are core beliefs of strengths-based, positive psychology, which the Adlerian orientation is.

Let’s find out the unique ways you solve problems in your life. This often comes from our early experiences. We will use your private logic to come up with ways to tackle life’s challenges that don’t hide or avoid, but instead use courage to do new, hard things.

I believe that all individuals are creative and seek belonging. We will draw from the imagination, looking to the future: how do I want my life to feel on the other side of this moment? Let’s make it happen!

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A happy family of four with two young children, a boy and a girl, playing together indoors. The girl rides on the mother's shoulders, and the boy kisses the father's forehead as the father carries the boy on his shoulders. Both parents are smiling warmly, sharing a joyful moment.

My work with

the League of Extraordinary Adlerian Play Therapists

Logo for LEAP, League of Extraordinary Adlerian Play Therapists, featuring a colorful, abstract figure of a person with arms raised above the text, with a rainbow-colored arch above the figure.

After taking LEAPT trainings from Terri Kottman, a well-known Adlerian Play Therapist, I was sold on the principles of Individual Psychology and its application with children & their families. I joined the organization, got involved with the people there, gave trainings of my own, and I’m now the Executive Director of LEAPT!

I am excited to advance the research on Adlerian Play Therapy

I present at conferences like the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP) as well as authoring book chapters &articles on Adlerian Play Therapy. I’m always happy to meet other Adlerians as well as play therapists.

If you’d like to consult with me about Adlerian Play Therapy, please contact me using the button below!

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Supervision for Play Therapists

I’m a Play Therapist- Supervisor (RPT-S), which means I can supervise the work of other people becoming Registered Play Therapists (RPT).

Licenses & Certifications

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)  

Play Therapist- Supervisor (RPT-S)

National Certified Counselor (NCC)

Advanced Certificate in Adlerian Play Therapy (LEAPT)

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Trainings

  • LEAPT  Trained Trainer

  • EMDR, Level 1 trained 

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Traumatic-incident reduction 

  • Aut-play: Play therapy for kids with neuro-developmental disorders/ Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 

  • Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR)

  • Critical Incident Stress Management

My Education

2014 MS | Wayne State | Wayne, Nebraska

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Publications & Research

Feeney, K. & Wassenaar, E. (submitted) Enhancing Supervisee Development: Integrating the IDM and Crucial Cs in Supervision. Journal of Individual Psychology. University of Texas Press.

Kerley, S. & Wassenaar, E. (2023) An Adlerian Approach to Treatment Planning. In L.L.Wonders. In The Play-based and Expressive Therapies Treatment Planner: A Guide to Working with Children and Adolescents. Routledge.

Wassenaar, E. (2023). Teacher-Child Connection Training: An Adlerian Play Therapy Approach to Training Preschool Teachers Issues. https://www.a4pt.org/page/Magazine

Wassenaar, E., & Liston, H. (2021). Understanding Your Child's Behavior. 'Hood: Sioux Empire's Family Resource, 14–15.

Kottman, T, et al (2020) Adlerian Play Therapy Interventions for Telehealth Sessions

What is Adlerian Psychology?

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Adlerian psychology, founded by Alfred Adler, is a holistic and humanistic approach to understanding and treating individuals.

It emphasizes the importance of social connection, a sense of belonging, and purpose in life. Adler believed that people are motivated by a desire to strive for significance within their social environment. This approach focuses on understanding each person’s unique lifestyle, early childhood experiences, and the goals behind their behavior. Adlerian therapy encourages self-awareness, responsibility, and the development of positive, respectful relationships to foster personal growth and well-being.

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Contact Me

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