Hi, I’m
Dr. Engstrom!
Meet Dr. Erin Engstrom, PhD (She/Her)
Dr. Erin (PSY 32241) is a licensed psychologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of neurodevelopmental conditions, anxiety, and life transitions for children, teens, and young adults. She is passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families, helping them navigate challenges across home, school, work, and social settings. Dr. Erin’s strengths-based, neuro-affirming, and LGBTQIA+ affirming approach creates a welcoming and collaborative space for clients to develop confidence, resilience, and self-acceptance. Whether she’s working with young people managing anxiety, coaching parents, or providing transition support for college and employment, her goal is to help clients embrace their strengths and build meaningful connections.
Therapeutic Approach
Dr. Erin believes that therapy is most effective when built on a strong, collaborative relationship between the therapist, client, and their support system. She provides evidence-based, strengths-focused care tailored to each individual’s unique needs. With specialized expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, she integrates family systems approaches and parent coaching modalities to support both individuals and their families. She also facilitates group therapy, including social skills interventions and Facing Your Fears, a CBT-based program designed for youth with autism and anxiety. Her work is deeply rooted in neurodiversity-affirming care, ensuring that clients feel supported in navigating life’s challenges while embracing their identities.
Education and Training
Dr. Erin earned her Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology (Clinical Emphasis) from UC Santa Barbara in 2019, following an M.A. in Counseling Psychology (2016) and a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Applied Psychology and Speech & Hearing Sciences (2013). During her training, she focused on the assessment and treatment of neurodevelopmental conditions, anxiety, and transitional support for young adults entering higher education and employment.
Her postdoctoral training included a fellowship at the University of Colorado School of Medicine – JFK Partners, a nationally recognized center for neurodevelopmental disabilities. She later served as a psychologist at the UC Davis MIND Institute, where she provided comprehensive assessments and therapy for individuals across the lifespan.
Certifications & Additional Training
Facing Your Fears Facilitator Training (since 2018)
ADOS Training (2017)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinical Training (since 2016)
Management of Assaultive Behavior in Inpatient Settings (since 2016)
Safe Zone Levels I and II Clinician (since 2016)
Acceptance and Commitment Training for Life After Trauma (2016)
Professional Development & Associations
Dr. Erin is committed to ongoing professional growth, regularly attending research conferences, training workshops, and engaging in peer consultation to enhance her practice. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association.
Areas of Expertise & Research
Dr. Erin specializes in treating anxiety in children, teens, and young adults, with a particular focus on individuals with co-occurring neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities. She is passionate about helping neurodivergent individuals navigate the unique challenges of anxiety, including hidden and masked experiences that often go unrecognized. Dr. Erin also works closely with parents and caregivers, equipping them with the tools and confidence needed to support their anxious children and teens. In addition, she provides specialized support for adolescents and young adults transitioning into college, employment, and independent living, emphasizing the importance of building and bridging systems of support to foster long-term success. Through her neuro-affirming, strengths-based approach, she helps clients and their families develop skills, resilience, and self-acceptance in every stage of their journey.
Dr. Erin has contributed to numerous publications and research projects focusing on mental health and quality of life for autistic young adults. Her work includes research on Facing Your Fears, a school-based CBT program for students with autism and anxiety; peer-mediated interventions to improve daily living skills in autistic college students; and behavioral sleep interventions for youth with autism and insomnia. Her peer-reviewed articles have been published in Sleep Medicine Reviews and Behavior Modification, and she has presented at conferences such as the International Society for Autism Research.
Services Offered
Dr. Erin provides a range of services tailored to support neurodivergent individuals and those struggling with anxiety. She offers teletherapy for children, teens, and young adults across California, integrating evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and parent coaching to ensure comprehensive care. She also conducts psychological assessments, with in-person evaluations coming soon in Sacramento, to provide clarity in diagnosis and treatment planning. In addition to individual therapy, Dr. Erin facilitates group therapy, including Facing Your Fears, a CBT-based program designed for youth with autism and anxiety, as well as social skills groups to support interpersonal development. She is particularly passionate about guiding teens and young adults through major life transitions, offering consultation and support for navigating higher education, employment, and independent living. Her goal is to provide neuro-affirming, strengths-based care that supports clients in building confidence, resilience, and meaningful connections.
What Inspired Her Journey
From a young age, Dr. Erin was drawn to helping others. As a college student, she worked as a peer mentor for autistic students and saw firsthand the barriers they faced in academic, social, and emotional settings. She pursued a career in clinical psychology to increase access to care and bridge the gaps in services for neurodivergent individuals and their families.
Outside the Office
When she’s not working, Dr. Erin enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, cuddling with her cat while watching true crime documentaries, and trying out new recipes from her large cookbook collection. She also loves yoga, long walks outdoors, exploring local restaurants and breweries, and being near the beach. A new NBA fan, she and her husband enjoy cheering on the Sacramento Kings—both at home and in person!
