About Erin Gardner-Flores, LCSW
Meet Erin
Erin Gardner-Flores is a licensed clinical social worker based in Groton, Connecticut. She has worked in the field of mental health since 2008. Erin is an EMDRIA Certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist who specializes in treating anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and stress caused by life transitions.
Education
​Erin earned her bachelor's degree in international studies from Saint Joseph College (now the University of Saint Joseph) in 2002. After earning her degree, she discovered her passion for helping others while working at a residential facility for adolescents. This led her to enroll in the University of Connecticut School of Social Work where she earned her Masters of Social Work (MSW) in 2008.
Agency Work
​Upon graduation, Erin honed her clinical skills working in community mental health clinics in eastern Connecticut including Catholic Charities, United Services, Inc. and United Community and Family Services (UCFS) She gained experience working with both children and adults in individual sessions, family sessions, and group therapy. She started to develop an understanding of how trauma affects individuals’ functioning, physical health, and overall well-being. She received training in evidence-based treatment models for trauma survivors, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and the Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model (TREM).
Private Practice
In 2018, Erin founded her own psychotherapy practice in Groton, Connecticut. Since then she has found success working with a diverse section of the adult population treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other trauma and stress- related disorders. Since the beginning of the pandemic, her services have been available via telehealth and in-office.
EMDR Practice
Erin's growing understanding of trauma led her to pursue training in EMDR therapy. In 2019, she trained with Mark Nickerson, LICSW and earned her EMDR certification in 2021. Using EMDR, Erin facilitated rapid breakthroughs in anxiety, PTSD, anger problems, self doubt, among many other hardships. Consequently, she has incorporated EMDR increasingly in her practice. She is now offering EMDR intensive therapy sessions.