Erica Bolston
I’m Erica Bolston, LPC, owner of Journey to Joy & Discovery Counseling. I provide compassionate, child-centered therapy that helps children manage emotions, build confidence, develop healthy coping skills, and navigate life challenges. Through a compassionate and individualized approach, Journey to Joy & Discovery Counseling incorporates play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused techniques, and person-centered care to meet each child where they are. Sessions are designed to help children develop emotional awareness, improve communication, manage difficult emotions, strengthen self-esteem, and build skills they can use both at home and at school.
First session
During the first session, clients can expect a warm, welcoming, and judgment-free environment where they can begin to feel comfortable and understood. We’ll get to know the child, learn about their concerns, strengths, interests, and goals, and discuss what brought them to counseling. Children will have the opportunity to ask questions, share at their own pace, and begin building a trusting relationship with their therapist. Parents and caregivers will also receive guidance on what to expect from the counseling process and how we can work together to support the child.
Strengths
I bring warmth, patience, creativity, and a genuine ability to connect with children. My approach is child-centered and often includes play, art, storytelling, games, and age-appropriate activities to help children express big feelings in ways that feel natural to them. I meet each child where they are and help them build confidence, coping skills, and emotional awareness.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are children and adolescents who may be experiencing anxiety, emotional challenges, low self-esteem, behavioral concerns, difficulty expressing their feelings, or challenges at home or school. I work with children who may need a safe, supportive space to feel heard, understand their emotions, build coping skills, and develop confidence. My goal is to meet each child where they are and help them discover healthy ways to navigate life’s challenges.
Origin story
I became a therapist because I’ve always had a heart for helping children feel seen, heard, and understood. I believe every child deserves a safe space to express their feelings, build confidence, and learn that their emotions matter. Being able to support children as they grow, heal, and discover their strengths is what makes this work so meaningful to me.
Ongoing work together
Ongoing sessions will be tailored to each child’s individual needs, strengths, and goals. Through play, conversation, coping-skills activities, and evidence-based therapeutic approaches, we’ll work together to help children better understand and express their emotions, manage challenges, build confidence, and strengthen healthy communication. Progress may look different for every child. Families may notice improvements in emotional regulation, behavior, communication, coping skills, confidence, relationships, and the child’s ability to handle everyday challenges. Goals will be reviewed along the way so families can recognize growth and celebrate each step forward.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help children understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I teach children to recognize unhelpful thought patterns, explore how those thoughts affect their emotions and actions, and practice healthier ways of thinking and responding. With children, CBT is adapted to be age-appropriate and engaging through conversation, activities, play, coping-skills practice, and real-life examples. Together, we work on skills such as identifying emotions, challenging negative thoughts, managing anxiety, building confidence, solving problems, and making healthy choices. The goal is to give children practical tools they can use at home, at school, and in everyday life.
Location
Virtual sessions