Meet Erin Gatrell, Professional Counselor
Hello everyone!
I’m Erin Gatrell, a Professional Counselor, now working at Whole and Holy Integrative Wellness. I’m so excited to be here, offering my counseling services to the public once again. My journey to becoming a counselor has been a long and exciting adventure! Like many of you, my personal experiences became things I wanted to help other people work through. I have dealt with anxiety and depression too, and I feel I can relate and bring some real world understanding and experience to the table.
I started my professional career working at Brooklane Psychiatric Hospital in Hagerstown MD, at the bachelor's level as a Mental Health Professional. This really gave me a passion for helping a population of people struggling with mental health difficulties. I decided to pursue a Master's Degree in Professional Counseling so I could work more closely and personally with those in need. After interning at both Hospice and The Frances Leiter Center (FLC), I graduated in 2012. I was hired by FLC where I worked for 4 years as a child counselor, using mostly child centered play and art therapy methods. I was also a foster mom during this time, and after 4 years in the field, decided to take some time off to be a stay-at-home foster parent. My husband and I fostered 9 children over a period of 11 years and adopted 3 of them. A large portion of my clientele while working at FLC were also foster children. Working with foster children, especially teens, (and supporting foster and biological parents on their journeys,) has always been a passion of mine. One of the biggest blessings I have had in my life is being able to develop a wonderful relationship with my adopted children’s birth families. I continue to serve this population while working at Whole and Holy, in the form of support groups and individual counseling.
In 2018, at the age of 40, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. For several years I struggled with health issues, including multiple surgeries, reconstruction, anxiety, depression and severe medication reactions. Getting through medical challenges can feel like climbing Mt. Everest, an extreme uphill challenge. But I have come out on the other side, victorious with my cancer battle, and I can help you climb that mountain too, if you are dealing with a medical diagnosis.
I have returned to work at Whole and Holy after being a stay-at-home mother for 7 years. I am passionate about helping others, as we all need help in our lives at times! Whether it is a foster child, a cancer survivor, or someone suffering from anxiety or depression, I am here to offer my professional and personal knowledge to help you through this challenging time. I use mostly Person Centered, Solution Focused, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques, to help you to be able to recognize and challenge the thought processes happening during this stressful event. I try to always keep a positive outlook on life, and help those to see the beauty in our world around us. Please, if you are in need of support, do not hesitate to reach out to me. I am looking forward to serving our community once again at Whole and Holy Integrative Wellness.