Ericka Elder Ortega

Ericka Elder Ortega is a licensed mental health counselor who focuses on practical therapy for common and painful problems. She is an LMHC and LCMHC with five years of experience, and she aims to create a nonjudgmental space where people can talk about what matters most to them.

She helps people manage stress and anxiety by breaking worries into smaller, manageable steps. Depression and low self-esteem are addressed through steady, goal-focused conversations that build motivation and clearer thinking. Ericka also supports people facing trauma, abuse, and identity questions related to LGBT concerns.

Clients often bring issues around abandonment, eating and food-related struggles, guilt and shame, mood disorders, and young adult transitions. Ericka listens closely and works with each person to set realistic goals. She uses approaches that are grounded in evidence and aimed at producing noticeable, day-to-day improvements.

Her style is straightforward and supportive. Sessions focus on practical strategies, clearer thinking, and small behavior changes. The work moves at a pace set by the client, with attention to safety and respect.

Ericka is licensed in Indiana as an LMHC and in Utah as an LCMHC. She practices in English and offers therapy to people located in Utah. To begin, prospective clients follow the site’s Start Therapy flow and schedule according to availability.

How evidence-based techniques translate to online therapy

Ericka uses practical, evidence-based therapeutic techniques that help people manage symptoms and build coping skills. One approach focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns to reduce anxiety and low mood; this involves noticing thoughts, testing them, and practicing alternative ways of thinking. Another common technique emphasizes gradual behavior change and activity planning to restore motivation and lift mood, with simple steps to increase meaningful routine and enjoyment.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose techniques that match their goals, needs, and comfort level. That means checking in regularly and adjusting methods when something isn’t working, rather than sticking to a single plan.

If you are considering online sessions, please confirm the current session options before booking since formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, avoid travel time, and keep momentum between visits. It also allows for shorter check-ins when needed, and for using video, audio, or messaging formats if those options are available and preferred. Licensed professionals can help match session style to what will work best for everyday life.