- Guilt and shame
- CBT and DBT skills
- Mindfulness practice
About Erma
Erma Wardley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 22 years of professional experience. She works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem struggles, depression, and coping with life changes. She also addresses concerns such as abandonment, caregiver stress, guilt and shame, and panic-related problems.
Wardley uses clear, person-focused methods to help people talk through difficult feelings. She listens and responds with direct, practical steps. Sessions aim to increase understanding, build skills for handling intense emotions, and improve daily functioning.
Her approach draws on Client-Centered Therapy to prioritize the person's perspective and on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns. She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotion regulation and mindfulness practices to ground attention in the present.
In sessions she encourages honest conversation about what is causing guilt or shame, and works with people to test compassionate self-statements and healthier behaviors. She helps clients develop routines and strategies to reduce avoidance, impulsivity, and isolation.
People who are coming off a major life change, caring for others, or recovering from trauma can expect focused, practical work. Wardley frames progress as small, measurable steps aimed at clearer thinking and steadier moods. To begin, clients are prompted to select the online therapy options and complete a short matching questionnaire.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting the person’s experience. Online sessions using this approach give people space to tell their story and have their feelings named. It helps when someone needs acceptance and clarity about what matters most to them.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. In an online visit CBT work can include identifying negative thoughts, trying small behavioral experiments, and practicing new ways of thinking between meetings. This is useful for anxiety, depression, and guilt-driven thinking.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills teach concrete tools for managing intense emotions and reducing impulsive reactions. Online sessions can cover distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills in short, focused practice segments.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. That decision can change over time based on what helps most.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. It can also let people practice skills in the settings where they live and work, with guidance from a licensed professional.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
22+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem concerns, depression, and coping with life changes, including issues like abandonment and caregiver stress.
How does she approach guilt or shame?
She invites direct conversation about the feelings, uses evidence-based techniques to reframe unhelpful thoughts, and practices behavioral steps to reduce avoidance and self-blame.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 22 years of professional experience working with people on these kinds of concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Choose the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.