Profile / United States
Erma Wardley, LCSW
California
LCSW - Stress and Anxiety focus
See online therapy options- CBT methods
- Mindfulness skills
- Life change support
About Erma
Erma Wardley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with 22 years of experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes. She works directly with people to identify what feels overwhelming and what they want to change.
Wardley uses straightforward conversation and practical steps in sessions. She listens to how problems show up day to day and helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and patterns. That can mean learning concrete skills to manage panic attacks, reduce social anxiety, or handle low moods.
Her approach draws on cognitive behavioral techniques alongside client-centered and mindfulness methods. She also uses some elements of dialectical behavior therapy and psychodynamic ideas when they fit a person's situation. Sessions typically focus on skills people can try between meetings and on tracking what does and does not help.
People bring a wide range of concerns, including abandonment, caregiver stress, control issues, guilt and shame, impulsivity, isolation, narcissism-related problems, and mood disorders. Wardley aims to help people build clearer routines, steadier thinking patterns, and better ways to cope during life transitions.
She speaks English and practices in California as an LCSW. Prospective clients are invited to review options and complete a short questionnaire to schedule an initial meeting and discuss practical next steps.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Erma Wardley often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a practical way to identify unhelpful thoughts and habits and to try new responses. CBT sessions typically involve short skill-building exercises, thought records, and behavioral experiments that can be done between meetings to reduce anxiety or improve mood.She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, which focuses on listening and reflecting so a person can clarify goals and make choices. That approach helps when someone needs to sort through feelings about life changes or relationship difficulties. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques may be used to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and grounding skills useful for panic or intense emotional states.
Finding the best approach is part of the work. She will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That may mean starting with CBT exercises and adding mindfulness or DBT skills as needed.
If you plan to use online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking since formats are not listed here. Online work can make scheduling easier, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Discussing routines and practical goals online helps place therapy into everyday life without requiring major disruption.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
22+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes. Other focuses include panic, social anxiety, mood disorders, and caregiver issues.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and test different responses. Sessions include skill practice and tracking what changes between meetings.
What kind of experience does she bring?
She has 22 years of professional work experience as a social worker. That experience includes supporting people with trauma, mood concerns, and life transitions.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is an LCSW licensed in California. Practice and licensure are based in California.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted. Sessions are arranged for people within the licensing jurisdiction.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing is provided during the sign-up process.
What are the steps to get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session. The questionnaire helps match goals and preferences before the initial meeting.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.