Our Team
Erin Harley, PhD, MA, LMHCA
Erin Harley, PhD, MA, LMHCA
Founder
Hello! I am a mom of two, a cognitive psychologist, a licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate, and the owner and founder of Riverstone Counseling. My therapeutic approach draws from solution-focused, cognitive, behavioral, and mindfulness frameworks, with a strong commitment to evidence-based practice. I create a supportive space where young people learn to gradually face their fears, develop coping skills, and build resilience. When working with kids, I make therapy engaging by incorporating play, art, and games; we even get to have a little fun!
When a child is struggling, the entire family is affected. That’s why I am passionate about collaborating with parents to teach you practical and effective strategies to improve your child's functioning and well being, for example, how to respond to your child in ways that help reduce their anxiety and build their confidence. Parent counseling helps your child even when they do not come in for individual therapy.
I know reaching out for therapy can bring up a mix of emotions like hope and anxiety, especially for parents seeking support for their child. I meet you where you are and offer a warm, supportive space where your perspective is valued. I am committed to helping clients meet their goals and thrive! If this resonates with you, please reach out.
More about Erin
Working as a mental health counselor is a second career for me! With a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from the University of WA, I spent two decades working as a research scientist and consultant studying and applying the science of perception and cognition to understand how people perceive, think, and interact with their environments. When raising my own children, I saw first-hand the challenges families face when trying to find quality parenting support and counseling services for their children. With my passion for Psychology, coupled with my desire to help children and parents navigate mental and behavioral health challenges, I went back to graduate school for clinical training to become a therapist. I obtained a Masters degree in Applied Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of WA, where I received high quality training on evidence-based treatments for behavioral challenges, trauma, and mood disorders in youth.
During my Masters training I worked at a community mental health clinic providing outpatient therapy to children and adolescents seeking help for trauma-related stress symptoms, anxiety, depression, and behavior problems. I also worked closely with caregivers during treatment and provided parenting interventions in both individual and group therapy settings. After completing my Masters training, I received additional specialized training and supervision at Rogers Behavioral Health where I work as a therapist providing evidence-based care to children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety, OCD, and depression in intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial-hospitalization (PHP) settings.
Education
M.A., Applied Child and Adolescent Psychology, University of Washington
Ph.D., Cognitive Psychology, University of Washington
B.A., Psychology, Boston University
Licensure
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in WA, credential #MC61667533
Professional Training
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety and Depression
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for Trauma
Parent Behavior Management Training (PBMT) for Disruptive Behaviors
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
SPACE - Parent-Based Treatment for Child Anxiety and OCD
SPACE FTL - Parent-Based Treatment for Highly Dependent Adult Children
Professional Memberships
American Psychological Association (APA)
American Counseling Association (ACA)
Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC)
It is brave to reach out for support. We are here to help you take the next step.
Want to learn more about how we can help you or your child? Get started by reaching out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
We look forward to hearing from you!
