ABOUT ERICA WESTPHAL, LMFT, PMH-C
Therapy for women in South Denver Metro and online throughout Colorado and Arizona
Wherever you are right now, I’m glad you’re here.
I work with women who are used to holding it all together — until something changes. A life change. A health diagnosis. A shift they didn’t see coming.
My practice focuses on helping thoughtful, capable women navigate changes in their life or health — including pregnancy, motherhood, relationship changes, menopause, or a cancer diagnosis — so they can feel less anxious, more confident in their direction, and live more like themselves again.
In our work together, you can exhale. You don’t have to be the strong one here. We’ll move thoughtfully and collaboratively, taking the time to understand what’s changed and helping you feel like yourself again—not anxious or unraveling.
Curious if therapy might help? You are welcome to reach out anytime.
When you’re used to having everyone else’s back—and need someone to have yours.
I believe therapy should fit you — not the other way around.
Therapy with me is warm, collaborative, and real. You don’t have to show up with everything figured out or try to hold it all together here.
This is a space where you can slow down, speak honestly, and feel supported without judgment. You don’t have to perform or explain yourself in a certain way—we’ll meet you where you are.
My role is to offer steady support and thoughtful reflection as you begin to make sense of what’s been feeling overwhelming.
You don’t have to explain everything to be understood.
There can be real comfort in working with a therapist who has lived through similar experiences. It can mean less explaining, less feeling judged or misunderstood, and more space to speak honestly about the parts you don’t always say out loud.
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and certified in Perinatal Mental Health. I’m also a wife, a mother, and a cancer survivor. While my clinical training is foundational to my work, my lived experience also shapes how I show up in therapy.
Especially for clients navigating cancer — whether personally or as a caregiver — this often means less explaining and more understanding from the start. There’s space here to talk honestly about fear, uncertainty, and the emotional impact that can linger long after active treatment ends.
A collaborative and grounded approach
Before starting private practice, I worked in agency and nonprofit settings with clients across the lifespan and from diverse backgrounds. Those experiences reinforced my belief that therapy should be collaborative, practical, and focused — not endless or abstract.
I don’t see myself as the expert on your life, but as a partner as you move toward greater clarity and confidence. We’ll look at patterns — in thoughts, behaviors, and relationships — that may be keeping you stuck, and practice workable changes so you can respond more intentionally and in ways that reflect what matters most to you, even when emotions are intense.
Therapy with me isn’t about eliminating difficult emotions. It’s about learning how to live alongside them without letting them run the show.
I may not be the best fit if you’re looking for a highly directive or prescriptive approach, or if you’re hoping therapy will do the work for you. I value honesty, reflection, and shared responsibility — and aim to create a space that feels genuine, safe, and human.
While therapy can involve hard conversations, my goal is for you to feel seen, supported, and able to be yourself as we work together.
Specializing in:
Life Transitions Therapy
Support when something in life shifts, and you find yourself feeling lost, overwhelmed, or unsure what comes next
Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Parenting
Therapy for the emotional changes and identity shifts that can come with pregnancy, postpartum, or parenting
Cancer Counseling
Support for patients and caregivers navigating the emotional impact of cancer
If you’re wondering what comes next
If this feels like it might be a good fit, you’re welcome to reach out for a consultation.
This is a chance to ask questions, share what’s bringing you here, and see whether working together feels right — without pressure.
You’re welcome to share as much or as little as feels comfortable. We’ll take it from there.
My Background & Training
Education
MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, Arizona State University, 2003
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Colorado and Arizona
Professional Affiliations
Member of the AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy)
Member of the Rocky Mountain Family Therapy Network
Training
Certified PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health)
Trained in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Trained in Family Systems, Solution-Focused, and Brief Family Therapy
Experience across diverse counseling settings, including crisis work, early childhood mental health, intensive case management, assisted living, and nursing home settings.
Support as you find your way
Mindful Pathways Counseling offers grounded, flexible support for women navigating life transitions, pregnancy or parenting challenges, and the emotional impact of cancer. I provide therapy for women in the South Denver Metro area, including Castle Rock, Parker, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, and surrounding Colorado communities. Sessions are available in person and online across Colorado and Arizona.