Erika Vargas, LCSW

Erika Vargas , MSW, LCSW

If you are struggling to make sense out of your past or current experiences, having difficulty managing your emotions, or just need someone to talk to, I would be honored to be part of your healing journey.  I’m passionate about helping others to find fulfillment, peace, healing, inner strength, and purpose. I will work with you, at your pace, to make long-lasting changes in your life. I incorporate trauma informed approaches, Cognitive Behavioral techniques, Solution Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to create a safe and non-judgmental environment for exploration, goal setting, and transformation.  My therapeutic style is person-centered, non-judgmental, and collaborative.

I work with adolescents (12+), emerging adults, and adults through individual, group, and family therapy. I also specialize in working with survivors of homicide, LGBTQ individuals, and professionals. I support individuals working through grief, trauma, life transitions, school issues, depression, family conflict, anxiety, job issues/professional development, substance use, and more.

Prior to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I was a Health/Physical Education Teacher and Division I Field Hockey Coach. Interestingly, I found myself doing more coaching off the field rather than on the field. Those early experiences as a coach and teacher fostered my passion for helping others, cultivated my skills in motivating and guiding individuals through life challenges, and, ultimately, lead me to my Masters in Social Work. Change can be difficult and scary. Let’s work together to find what will help you feel more in control or stable, and attain direction and purpose in your life.

Areas of Specialty

I work with adolescents (12+), emerging adults, and adults via individual, group, and family therapy. I utilize trauma informed approaches, Cognitive Behavioral techniques, Solution Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

  • Career Issues (leadership development, burnout, career changes, career development, mentoring)
  • Family Conflict (roles, responsibilities, structure, multigenerational homes)
  • Finding meaning, purpose, and direction
  • Grief and Loss
  • Coping with Life Transitions and Stress
  • GLBTQ-specific issues
  • Mood Disorders (Anxiety, Depression)
  • Parenting skills
  • Trauma Stabilization
  • Women-specific Issues (pregnancy, post-partum depression, navigating career and motherhood)
  • Alcohol/Substance Use (wanting to quit or slow down)   

Experience & Training

  • 8 years as a Program Manager at a Residential and Outpatient Substance Use Treatment facility with experience providing assessments and treatment for substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and severely mentally ill.
  • Extensive experience working with BSW and MSW students and post-graduate trainees seeking licensure in the mental health field.
  • Worked as an In-Home Therapist for children and families addressing issues related to, but not limited to, family communication, parenting skills, acculturation issues, substance use, and past trauma.
  • Worked as a Clinician at a Latino Community Clinic conducting individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy for mental health issues and contemporary social problems such as substance use, domestic violence, homelessness, and sexual orientation.
  • Trained in working with survivors of homicide (perpetrators and survivors) providing grief work to children and families.
  • Trained at the Boys and Girls Club focused on preventative work with at-risk youth and provided social skills groups.
  • Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Boston University
  • BA in Kinesiology from College of William and Mary

Erika Vargas , MSW, LCSW

(808) 451-3960

Center for Healing & Transformation, 767 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734