LCSW-Therapists

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Erma Wardley, LCSW

Compassionate care for stress and trauma

Credential held
LCSW
Practises from
California
Years in practice
22
Languages
English
Methods listed
7
Sessions
Online

About Erma

Erma Wardley is a licensed clinical social worker in California with 22 years of experience. She helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, panic, or the shock of big life changes. She meets clients with straightforward care and a calm, respectful manner.

Erma focuses on practical ways to ease symptoms and build everyday coping skills. She listens closely to each person’s story and works with them to set clear goals.

Book with Erma Now Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.

Background and approach

Sessions are aimed at increasing self-awareness, strengthening confidence, and reducing the impact of trauma or abuse on daily life. Her approach blends talk-based exploration with hands-on strategies. She may use problem-solving tools, emotion-regulation skills, and mindfulness practices to manage panic, mood swings, and social anxiety.

When needed, she also looks at long-standing patterns that fuel guilt, shame, or isolation. Erma is familiar with challenges like abandonment fears, caregiver stress, control issues, and difficulties around forgiveness. She helps people sort through impulses and difficult relationships while building more stable routines and responses.

Clients can expect a respectful, nonjudgmental space to talk through painful memories and current struggles. The work emphasizes steady progress, small changes that add up, and practical steps toward greater wellbeing.

How Erma’s Approaches Work Online

Erma draws on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices to help people manage intense feelings and unhelpful habits. CBT focuses on noticing thought patterns and changing them with practical exercises, which can reduce anxiety and panic symptoms. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing techniques to lower stress and improve mood.

She also uses client-centered principles to keep the work collaborative and paced to each person. That means she listens first, then suggests strategies together based on what feels most useful. Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process and she will check in often to adjust methods to match a client’s goals and preferences.

Online sessions can be done by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video works well when visual cues help the conversation, while phone calls use less bandwidth and can be easier during a short break. Live chat and text are useful for quick check-ins, homework, or when typing feels more comfortable. These options make it easier to keep a regular schedule and practice skills between meetings.
Book with Erma Now Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Erma often help with?
She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, trauma and abuse, and coping with major life changes. Additional focuses include self-esteem, loneliness, mood disorders, and caregiver stress.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is practical and client-centered, combining listening with concrete strategies. Sessions mix talk, problem-solving, and skills practice to address emotions and day-to-day challenges.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 22 years of professional experience working with adults on a range of emotional and life concerns.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a LCSW, licensed in California as CA LCSW 8525, and practices from California.
Which languages are supported and can international clients join?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.