Karen Erickson
MA, LPCC, CMT, Owner
Karen began her journey in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. Even as a child, she recalls being inspired to seek healing for herself and developed a passion for helping others. Karen earned her master’s degree in counseling from Michigan State University. She has been a professional licensed counselor (LPC) in Michigan since 1994, and recently became a licensed professional clinical counselor in California (LPCC), allowing her to see clients from either state.
Her work experience encompasses counseling or managerial roles in various settings – mental health and substance use disorder treatment, statewide crisis hotlines (parenting, sexual assault, elder/vulnerable adult abuse, runaway assistance), universities, community agencies, and managed care. Karen worked as a clinical supervisor at a domestic and sexual abuse support program, and as an Employee Assistance Consultant for a managed care company.
Karen creates a nurturing, peaceful space for clients to express concerns and explore options. Clients appreciate her genuine caring, honest feedback, and sense of humor.
Areas of expertise include: grief/loss, life transitions, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, self-esteem, work stress, ADD/ADHD, and more.
Sessions may be held online, by phone, or in person.
If you are interested in meeting with Karen for counseling, please contact her for a free 15-minute consultation – this can be scheduled online or you may call/text her at (805) 503-3400.
After relocating to California in 2007, Karen pursued additional interests: she completed astrology, intuitive, and energy healing classes, and became a certified massage therapist (CMT) and Reiki Master. She often enjoys doing individualized sessions with combined modalities. Massage, reiki, and intuitive astrology readings can be scheduled online, or you may call/text her at (805) 503-3400.
Karen resides in San Luis Obispo County with her partner and dog Sam, and often visits her son Tyler in Michigan. In her leisure time she enjoys music, comedy, walking, meditation, reading, and writing.
California LPCC 16676, CMT 82271, Michigan LPC 6401005459
Meet the Team
Dr. Evelyn turner, psychologist PsyD
Approach to therapy
The therapeutic process is unique to every person, I take a collaborative approach to therapy so that we make a plan that truly fits you. I primarily use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with strong influences from Person-Centered therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We will work together to choose meaningful goals that motivate you to move from feeling stuck into moving toward the direction you want your life to go. Both ACT and Person-Centered therapy are present-focused and that offer you the ability to learn tools that you can use right now to change your own life. Together we will build a strong, trusting, and open relationship that will be used as an agent for change. I maintain an attitude of genuine empathy and unconditional positive regard for my clients and the difficulties they are facing. We cannot experience long lasting change until we first have compassion for quirks, imperfections, and for those dark parts of ourselves that we would rather not acknowledge. In our time together we will work towards cultivating more compassion as we move through difficult seasons in life.
Background
I earned my doctorate at Adler University in Chicago and graduated in 2020. During that time, I worked in numerous different residential treatment centers and health care agencies serving primarily adult clients with addiction, PTSD, and mood disorders. I also have experience working in an outpatient setting with those who experience depression, anxiety, and general life stress, as well as with couples using the Gottman Method. I also have a background in teaching yoga and incorporate yogic and mindfulness teachings into much of my work.
About me
In my free time, you can find me exploring the beautiful central coast with my partner. I also love playing with our two precious cats, tending to my garden, practicing yoga, and enjoying a good book with a cup of tea!
Diamond garza, cmt
Certified Massage Therapist
Diamond graduated from the 500-hour massage therapy program at the California Holistic Institute in San Luis Obispo. She is also a Reiki Level II practitioner.
She enjoys offering various types of massages: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Therapeutic, and Pre-natal. “What I love about massage,” Diamond says, “is the ability to interact with so many different people and help them along their journey.” She will be available some late afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays. To schedule with Diamond, you may book here online, or text/phone her at (805) 406-2048.
MICAH BLAKELY
Micah comes from Reno, Nevada, with an initial background in western medicine as a cardiovascular sonographer. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Vascular Sonography from the Oregon Institute of Technology. In a quest to understand her own energy, she met with a Reiki practitioner, and it changed her life. She then was called to “pay it forward” by learning this modality to make a difference with her patients.
Micah comes from Reno, Nevada, with an initial background in western medicine as a cardiovascular sonographer. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Vascular Sonography from the Oregon Institute of Technology. In a quest to understand her own energy, she met with a Reiki practitioner, and it changed her life. She then was called to “pay it forward” by learning this modality to make a difference with her patients.
A Level II Reiki Practitioner, Micah will complete her Level III Reiki Master training in March 2024. Her goal is to bridge western and eastern medicine, to combine modalities to individualize a healing regime for her clients.
Seeking a place to establish roots, Micah recently relocated to the Central Coast. She truly feels in her heart that this is home. She looks forward to serving this community and providing a safe space of transformation.
Pam Schubert
Artist
Pam created our beautiful mosaic sign!
Pam started mosaicing in the early 2000s learning the basics from a friend. Over the years she has tiled many craft projects, but specialized in tiling parts of her house. This included back-splashes, bathroom floors and the front walkways at two of the homes she’s lived in including her current residence. Her husband jokes that he can’t sit in one spot too long for fear of becoming her next mosaic project! Pam is a lifelong painter, fond of recreating Van Goghs. While lamenting to a friend that she was running out of things to tile, her husband challenged her to copy Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” as a mosaic. A couple weeks later the end result was so well received that Pam decided to put some more pieces together to sell at a local craft fair. That first show was a great success and was followed by a second successful show. Pam’s work ranges from abstract patterns to flora, fauna, natural scenes and mermaids. She incorporates a variety of items other than glass into her work to give them texture and depth.
Pam’s mosaic pieces will be displayed and available for purchase at the Lapis & Lotus Center.
Sam
Support Dog
Sam was rescued as a puppy from Tulare County Animal Services in 2016. He is part Dachshund and possibly Jack Russell Terrier. He came with a “licker license,” a gentle soul, and an entertaining personality. He had Karen trained early on. Some people say Sam acts more like a person than a dog. When Karen tells him, “Let’s go meditate,” he runs to their meditation space and takes his spot. Sam adds a healing, joyful energy to the Lapis & Lotus Center.