Erika Taveras is a Master of Social Work student at Columbia University and a clinical intern at Buque Psychology. She is passionate about mental health and supporting individuals who are working through trauma, anxiety, emotional challenges, and difficult experiences. Erika views therapy as an opportunity for people to better understand themselves and their experiences while having someone alongside them as they work toward change.

Erika’s interest in clinical social work comes from her understanding of how deeply family, culture, relationships, and life experiences can influence the way we see ourselves and the world around us. She believes that people deserve to have their experiences taken seriously and to receive support that considers the whole person rather than focusing only on a diagnosis or specific concern.

Through her clinical training at Buque Psychology, Erika is building her experience in trauma informed care and learning how to apply therapeutic approaches in a thoughtful and individualized way. She is especially interested in trauma and its impact on emotional regulation, relationships, confidence, and everyday functioning. She hopes to help clients develop a better understanding of their emotions, recognize patterns that may be affecting them, and find healthier ways to cope with life’s challenges.

Erika is Dominican and was raised in North Carolina, which has shaped the way she thinks about culture, family, identity, and access to mental health support. She has a particular interest in working with Hispanic and Latine communities and understands the importance of having mental health spaces where culture and personal background are welcomed rather than overlooked. She brings curiosity, openness, and cultural humility into her developing clinical practice.

Erika earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with minors in Psychology and Sociology and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at Columbia University. As she continues her clinical education and supervised training, she hopes to grow into a clinician who makes people feel comfortable showing up as themselves. Erika believes that therapy can be a place to make sense of what you have been through, learn more about yourself, and begin moving forward in a way that feels meaningful to you.

To work with Erika, click here.