Structural Family Therapy in Chandler, AZ

The Wellness Tree is an integrative behavioral healthcare office offering patients counseling and psychiatric services.

Everyone experiences stress in their lives. Sometimes this can become overwhelming and seem unmanageable and make you withdraw, isolate, or even become vulnerable to acting out. Whether this is due to school, work, relationships, parenting, or trauma; there are ways to help decrease and restructure the systems that have been affected by severe or prolonged amounts of stress. My name is Erica Van Parys and I am a licensed Professional Counselor with a Master’s in Clinical Counseling. I am very holistic in my practice and believe that relationships, connectedness, and collaboration are the key components to success.

Losing hope things can change? I have been working with individuals, families, and couples for over a decade on how to overcome some of the most difficult and perplexing relational issues. My approach is direct and simple, to identify specific patterns, limiting beliefs or behaviors that lead to ineffective outcomes. I work collaboratively with my clients, using unique and innovative methods to gain understanding on root causes, and develop strength- based solutions to create a path for authentic and lasting change. I am also a pioneer in both the creation and facilitation of intensive therapeutic services here at our clinic.

I believe people are courageous to face their individual and relationship challenges. People are amazingly resilient and capable of healing, growth and change. I believe my role as a therapist is to collaborate with my clients toward a more desirable future and provide a safe, non-judgmental, supportive environment that nurtures growth and healing. We are all a part of a greater whole and are influenced by others, including our family of origin, current relationships, society and culture; therefore, I approach therapy from an integrative holistic perspective.

In this fast-paced world, many life challenges are at times more than one can handle. Whether it is processing past trauma or learning new strategies for coping with current stressors, you are taking the difficult first step. As a therapist of 20 years, I am committed to providing quality therapy to meet your needs with a personalized, solution-focused approach. I have twenty years of experience working with a variety of individuals, couples, and families of all ages. I also provide EMDR, a specialized type of trauma therapy. If you would like to know more about how we can work together, I look forward to connecting with you.

Your Solution for Christian Couples Counseling — Are you or your partner dissatisfied with your relationship? Are you feeling lonely and distant from your spouse instead of intimate and safe? Do you feel like you've lost yourself & you're just going through the motions? Do you feel more like roommates than lovers? You don't have to continue living this way. You can rediscover who you are, your passion for relationship & God's purpose for your life. Couples counseling can help get you back on track, living your most fulfilling life.

Most people come to therapy to eliminate the pain they are experiencing or "to not feel crazy," and "to have someone to talk without bias". These are the statements client's have shared with me over the years. My passion provides me the opportunity to hear, normalize and enjoy the work I do.

I look to provide healing and li coping skills. It takes an act of courage to come to counseling. I look to provide a place where clients can work through their concerns without being judged. I see individuals and work on with them on anxiety, shame, guilt, feeling powerless, impulse control, anger, depression, addiction, life transitions and career/ school difficulties. I work with couples to promote healthy communication, safety, vulnerability and intimacy. I work with children to develop behavioral and emotional coping skills to succeed at home and school. I work with families to resolve conflict. I have 25 years of experience.

Deciding to begin therapy is a big step and my main priority is to create a safe and understanding relationship where you can feel comfortable to open up about your struggles and receive the support you deserve. I will actively work with you to create your desired change in a non-judgmental and collaborative environment. I have experience helping with a range of presenting concerns including trauma, relational issues, anxiety, family conflict, pregnancy and postpartum challenges, parenting and behavioral concerns, life transitions, and perinatal challenges.

I have an extensive background working with SMI clients and work well with clients diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. I also appreciate working with clients who are of Native American background and I am very knowledgeable of the culture of the Akimel O'odham people. I also utilize integrated therapies such as DBT, CBT and Existential therapy when working with those experiencing grief and loss and seek to assist clients experiencing bereavement. I also work well with adolescents, adults and older adults.

Relationships never start off difficult. Disappointment, pain, betrayal, distance, emotional shut-off are all among the myriad reasons they become difficult. Often times the distance between two people can feel insurmountable. A trained and effective therapist is able to bridge that gap and provide guidance and support on the journey back to relational health. Research shows most people wait 6 years to seek therapy. By this time, the sparks of discontent have become a fiery inferno and the help of a professional is invaluable in the process of healing and reconciliation.

I have a passion about helping children and teens find their voice in this midst of disconnection. As humans, we are created for connection. Often, this disconnection to self and others can create stress, exhaustion and loneliness. I desire to be a listening ear and seek to understand the challenges occurring in your life. Life throws unexpected twists and turns. I assist you by guiding you through physical and emotional development, family dynamics, school challenges, communication, relationship distress and trauma. I desire to walk with you on the journey for healing and together we will achieve goals for your child & family.

Therapy is an intimate process; revealing feelings might feel scary and uncomfortable. My greatest reward as a counselor is helping my clients explore ways to make changes in their lives that will allow them to look forward to the future with hope. I provide my clients with a warm, nonjudgmental environment and safe place to explore the issues throughout the counseling journey. I use a variety of approaches for individual or group counseling to help my clients, depending on individual needs. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I’m certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors NBCC.

"I understand that therapy can be an intimidating decision; from day one, I strive to create an open, judgment-free, and safe environment. I love and welcome diverse identities and have experience working with individuals, couples, and families struggling with various concerns. With the right therapist, no issue is too large to tackle. I work collaboratively with my clients to help them understand the best decisions for their lives and relationships. When appropriate, I also strive to incorporate laughter to help promote comfort during therapy. I ensure that my clients receive quality attention, care, and feedback in every session.

What would it look like if everything is going well for you right now? What would you notice about yourself that is different than now? Do you want to explore the answers to those questions?

I provide individual and family therapy to address client and family social, emotional and behavioral concerns. I am specialized in working with victim trauma, general mental health problems, substance abuse, chronic behavioral health problems, and youth with sexually maladaptive behavior issues. I also have experience working with children and families struggling with history of domestic violence, addiction, and working with adolescents on aggression replacement, acceptance and responsibility and implementing healthy lifestyles. This practice does NOT get involved in custody/divorce cases.

My goal is to help you overcome the feeling of being stuck so you can start moving forward! Whether this is related to your relationships, feelings of anxiety, or a recent change in your life, I am dedicated to uncovering the root cause of these issues, eradicating the discomfort and transforming it into functional daily living. A safe, judgment free environment will be felt along with the introduction of tools and techniques to create progress during this journey! Through a client centered approach, we will team up to uncover your underlying needs and explore healthy solutions to create meaningful change.

I provide a supportive, compassionate, collaborative and non-judgmental environment. Your comfort and trust are the most important aspects to your success. Whether you are having challenges at home, school, or work, we can design a plan that will help you make positive changes in your life. In addition to my clinical practice, I am the Co-Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program. This keeps me "connected" to the latest advances in the field which I bring to our work together.