Erica Zajac (they/them)

It was very difficult being out in the south when I was growing up. As an adult I continued to face discrimination but the worst was at multiple jobs I held as an LCSW (or when I was in training) which resulted in me leaving my last place of employment as a therapist in NC. I did not start practicing again until I moved to NY. I identify as non-binary and queer currently. In practice I work with people on a wide variety of issues anywhere from identity, discrimination, shame, and much more

It was very difficult being out in the south when I was growing up. As an adult I continued to face discrimination but the worst was at multiple jobs I held as an LCSW (or when I was in training) which resulted in me leaving my last place of employment as a therapist in NC. I did not start practicing again until I moved to NY. I identify as non-binary and queer currently. In practice I work with people on a wide variety of issues anywhere from identity, discrimination, shame, and much more

I have both lived experience (over 8 years) and have been working clinically with people on a variety of issues related to kink and BDSM for over 3 years. I believe that kink is a healthy natural form of identity and/or sexual expression.

I specialize in PTSD, CPTSD, and Trauma, which all kind of sound the same right? It's understandable that there is confusion because they are share a lot in common but ultimately no matter the label, trauma is trauma. It is a complex set of mental and physical symptoms which are different for everyone. My belief is, if you think you have trauma then you probably have trauma. Unfortunately more people than ever have an idea of what this is like since the pandemic has started.

This is not a new idea as it discusses how we attach when we are babies and how that later effects how we attach to other people. The NEW and exciting use of this is in MBT (Mentalization Based Treatment) which uses Attachment theory to help people essentially change their current attachment style through using a curious stance (instead of "knowing"), learning to understand other people's perspectives, and learn how to understand yourself and the world around you.

This modality works under the belief that if we can accept our thought, feelings, and emotions without becoming attached to them we will have much less distress. Instead of latching onto or believing our thoughts, and feelings we notice them but let them go (float by), noticing them but not getting attached to them.

I have been working with, dealing with, or in some way interacting with trauma most of my life which is what led me to become a therapist. PTSD or CPTSD are complex disorders which effect people in very different ways and present sometimes in unexpected or unfamiliar ways. I have taken my life experience, my education, my training, continued education/training, and the work I have already done with dozens of clients to tailor each treatment specifically to that client's trauma & their responses.