Erin Blair, MS
Masters of Science in Applied Family and Child Studies
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist To make an appointment with Erin, please call 630-570-0050. You can also email [email protected].
Treats the Following:Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Concerns, Maternal Mental Health, Divorce Recovery, Couples Counseling, Self-Esteem
Ages Served: Adolescents/Teens, Adults |
Professional Experience
I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Benedictine University and my master’s in Applied Family and Child Studies with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University. During both my undergrad and graduate experiences, I was able to assist with research studies focusing on women’s issues (in media and the workplace) alongside doctorate level clinicians.
Throughout my graduate work, I had the opportunity to provide individual, couples and family therapy in the on-campus clinic serving both students and the community. I completed my graduate internship with Centegra Health System providing group therapy and family therapy in their outpatient behavioral health program. I have Level 2 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy in addition to a certification in Prepare & Enrich Premarital Counseling.
Throughout my graduate work, I had the opportunity to provide individual, couples and family therapy in the on-campus clinic serving both students and the community. I completed my graduate internship with Centegra Health System providing group therapy and family therapy in their outpatient behavioral health program. I have Level 2 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy in addition to a certification in Prepare & Enrich Premarital Counseling.
Treatment Focus and Approach
I currently treat:
Anxiety
Depression
Relationship concerns
Pre/Postnatal Mental Health
Divorce Recovery
Conflict in the couple’s relationship
Stress related to life transitions
Identity/ Self-esteem
Since entering private practice, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of couples, adolescents and adult individuals. Utilizing Attachment and Bowen Family Systems theories, I seek to provide a personalized experience for all of my clients that feels collaborative and intuitive. These approaches promote exploration of transformative life experiences, examine the relationships we have with others and emphasize the value of safety in the therapeutic process as a way of promoting greater confidence and self-efficacy.
I am also trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, an evidence-based practice that gives couples the opportunity to overcome challenges in the relationship, rebuild the foundation of their marriage and strengthen their connection for the future. I’ve found that couples appreciate the structured activities in this model and that it “demystifies” the couples therapy experience.
As a clinician, I strive to create an open-minded and supportive environment for all clients. I view relationships as the heart of what makes our lives meaningful and my goal is to help clients to unravel the complexities.
Anxiety
Depression
Relationship concerns
Pre/Postnatal Mental Health
Divorce Recovery
Conflict in the couple’s relationship
Stress related to life transitions
Identity/ Self-esteem
Since entering private practice, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of couples, adolescents and adult individuals. Utilizing Attachment and Bowen Family Systems theories, I seek to provide a personalized experience for all of my clients that feels collaborative and intuitive. These approaches promote exploration of transformative life experiences, examine the relationships we have with others and emphasize the value of safety in the therapeutic process as a way of promoting greater confidence and self-efficacy.
I am also trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, an evidence-based practice that gives couples the opportunity to overcome challenges in the relationship, rebuild the foundation of their marriage and strengthen their connection for the future. I’ve found that couples appreciate the structured activities in this model and that it “demystifies” the couples therapy experience.
As a clinician, I strive to create an open-minded and supportive environment for all clients. I view relationships as the heart of what makes our lives meaningful and my goal is to help clients to unravel the complexities.
About Me
What are your professional and personal values?
Compassion, humility, authenticity, growth and kindness. I often tell clients that the best way to embody their values towards others is to practice embodying those values towards themselves. Offering self-compassion, engaging in humble self-reflection, being your most authentic self, seeking out opportunities for growth and practicing kindness are all values I prioritize both in my daily life and my professional work. I love helping clients cultivate these aspects of themselves through our work together.
What are some adjectives you would use to describe yourself and why?
Similar to my values, I strive to be compassionate, kind and genuine with my clients. Attachment theory promotes the importance of safety, stability and security which I believe is fostered through an open and non-judgmental space. I provide clients with the freedom to express themselves authentically and will be direct and honest in return. I find a lot of value in using humor within the therapeutic relationship!
What led you to decide that you wanted to be a therapist?
As many in the helping profession, I have always been passionate about supporting others and celebrating their growth. I chose to specialize in marriage and family therapy because it looks at how our relationships create both our biggest strengths and challenges. Our relationships define us and I hope to help my clients learn more about themselves through how they relate to the people around them.
What are some of your favorite self care activities?
Beyond bubble baths, fancy coffee and reading a good book, I love spending time outdoors with my son, getting brunch with friends and catching up on my favorite shows.
What is your favorite quote?
“Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light” -Brene Brown
Why do you love being a mental health professional? What led you to wanting to be a therapist?
Being a mental health professional is such a privilege. I’ve been given the opportunity to walk alongside my clients during challenging times in their lives and they trust me with their stories. I learn something new from each client I get to work with and I am able to carry that forward into my work with future clients. Seeing the resiliency of my clients every day is inspiring and keeps me passionate about the work that I am doing!
Compassion, humility, authenticity, growth and kindness. I often tell clients that the best way to embody their values towards others is to practice embodying those values towards themselves. Offering self-compassion, engaging in humble self-reflection, being your most authentic self, seeking out opportunities for growth and practicing kindness are all values I prioritize both in my daily life and my professional work. I love helping clients cultivate these aspects of themselves through our work together.
What are some adjectives you would use to describe yourself and why?
Similar to my values, I strive to be compassionate, kind and genuine with my clients. Attachment theory promotes the importance of safety, stability and security which I believe is fostered through an open and non-judgmental space. I provide clients with the freedom to express themselves authentically and will be direct and honest in return. I find a lot of value in using humor within the therapeutic relationship!
What led you to decide that you wanted to be a therapist?
As many in the helping profession, I have always been passionate about supporting others and celebrating their growth. I chose to specialize in marriage and family therapy because it looks at how our relationships create both our biggest strengths and challenges. Our relationships define us and I hope to help my clients learn more about themselves through how they relate to the people around them.
What are some of your favorite self care activities?
Beyond bubble baths, fancy coffee and reading a good book, I love spending time outdoors with my son, getting brunch with friends and catching up on my favorite shows.
What is your favorite quote?
“Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light” -Brene Brown
Why do you love being a mental health professional? What led you to wanting to be a therapist?
Being a mental health professional is such a privilege. I’ve been given the opportunity to walk alongside my clients during challenging times in their lives and they trust me with their stories. I learn something new from each client I get to work with and I am able to carry that forward into my work with future clients. Seeing the resiliency of my clients every day is inspiring and keeps me passionate about the work that I am doing!
Blogs:
You may have seen the viral TikTok trends about oranges and birds only to wonder what that has to do with the strength of your relationship. “Orange peel theory” and “bird theory” are both real life examples of the famous research study by relationship expert,
John Gottman. After observing thousands of couples in his lab, he found that the couples with the greatest long-term success had one major thing in common: how they responded to bids for connection. A bid for connection can be something as simple as asking your partner to peel an orange or look at the interesting bird outside but often they are an indicator of much deeper aspects of the relationship like shared values, dreams, and desires...(to read more, click on the link above). |
A key tool in improving communication within a couples relationship is providing opportunities for healthy conflict. In John Gottman’s research examining thousands of couples, he found that some couples were masters at having difficult conversations around issues that distressed them. The common thread was these couples sought to understand and validate their partner before problem-solving the issue. Regardless of whether the couple ultimately found a solution that worked for both parties, the ability to let the other person feel heard and understood was valuable to the relationship’s overall success...(to read more, click on the link above).
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