Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Erie, PA

Welcome! As a therapist, my mission is to cultivate a place for you to share your story and rediscover your strengths. I integrate my education, training, and lived experience to create an informed, compassionate practice built on mutual trust and safety. Contact me and we can begin to write your next chapters, together.

Hola, I’m Mercedes. I’m a bilingual (English | Spanish) psychotherapist who supports individuals navigating Anxiety, Trauma, and significant life transitions. My approach incorporates somatic principles to help you develop greater Self-Awareness by listening to what your body is communicating.

I understand how easy it can be to lose touch with yourself when you’ve spent so much time surviving, adapting, or staying strong. My goal is to create a space where you can slow down, feel truly understood, and reconnect with yourself so you can make decisions that feel more aligned with who you are and where you want to go.

As a licensed therapist in Pennsylvania, I bring nearly two decades of dedicated experience supporting individuals through complex emotional landscapes. My clinical expertise centers on helping clients navigate challenges including depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and interpersonal dynamics. I specialize in addressing men's mental health, workplace stress, social anxiety, and life transition concerns.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of nursing experience. I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, maternal mental health, and other mental health conditions using evidence-based psychopharmacology tailored to each individual’s needs. I work with adolescents, adults, and older adults, providing thoughtful, personalized care—particularly for individuals who have not found success with previous medication trials.

I believe that every individual deserves to be heard, respected, and treated with compassion. I take the time to understand each person's unique experiences, concerns, and goals before developing a treatment plan. My approach is collaborative, and I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel comfortable discussing their mental health. Whether you are seeking care for anxiety, depression, mood disorders, or other mental health concerns, I am committed to helping you find the treatment approach that best fits your needs.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor and the owner of Transformative Journey Counseling, LLC. I hold a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Springfield College and a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Saint Joseph’s University. I also earned my Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University.

I specialize in helping adults navigate anxiety, stress, trauma, and adjustment-related challenges. My work focuses on empowering clients to gain insight, build resilience, and find healthy ways to cope and grow through life’s transitions.

“Trauma-focused therapy is at the heart of my practice, and I offer a warm, supportive space for healing and growth.”

I’ve been a therapist for more than 38 years, and I bring a steady, compassionate approach to helping adults through a wide range of challenges. Over the past 16 years, I worked in two Veterans Outpatient Clinics, where I had the privilege of supporting both male and female veterans. My areas of focus include trauma, PTSD, childhood sexual abuse, domestic abuse, relationship concerns, depression, and anxiety. My approach is to meet the client where they are and assist them in improving their lives.