Where the deepest layers of your story become the foundation for new growth

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In ecology, the understory is the warm, protected layer of the forest thriving safely beneath the canopy; it is a rich space of quiet resilience, deep-rooted connection, and organic transformation.

At Understory Mental Health Collective, we believe true psychological transformation mirrors this natural alchemy. We provide a collaborative, nurturing sanctuary designed to help you explore the story underneath the surface - integrating your raw life experiences and transforming them into an unshakeable core of inner strength and belonging.

Erica Conklin with long brown hair, glasses, and tattoos on her arm, standing with her arms crossed against a rocky background, smiling at the camera.

Erica Conklin, MA, LPC, LAC, CCTP

We operate as a collective focused on holistic, comprehensive mental health care. Whether we are partnering together to process deep-rooted trauma, navigate life transitions, or untangle complex anxiety, our therapeutic approach weaves together evidenced-based modalities of EFT, psychodynamic, and somatic therapies to serve your unique psychological landscape.

At Understory, people find their way to us for the following…

Our Collaborative Approach

Relational Wounds & Trauma

Carrying deep relational wounds and trauma means navigating an invisible, exhausting hypervigilance that keeps your nervous system constantly on guard. It turns the very things you long for - safety, trust, and deep vulnerability - into a source of chronic anxiety, fear of abandonment, and painful emotional barriers. Healing begins when we step underneath the surface patterns of people-pleasing or self-protection and create a gentle, somatic space to safely process these wounds and rebuild your capacity for secure connection.

Disordered Eating & Body Shame

Living with a disordered relationship to food and your body means navigating this exhausting, silent warfare. You may seem “fine” to an outside eye, but internally it completely consumes your mental bandwidth. It turns everyday experiences like sharing a meal, resting, or catching your reflection into a minefield of chronic anxiety, strict mental math, and overwhelming body shame. Healing begins when we start with a safe, non-judgmental space where we can understand the protective role these behaviors have played in your life.

Substance Abuse & Behavioral Addiction

Navigating the exhausting cycle of substance use and/or addictive behaviors means carrying a heavy, isolating secret that completely fragments your quality of life. It turns moments of distress, boredom, or deep emotional pain into an urgent pull toward numbness, leaving you trapped between a desperate desire for relief and the crushing weight of shame. Healing begins when we stop treating your coping mechanisms as personal failures, and instead create a compassionate, curious space to understand the root wounds these behaviors are trying to soothe.

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Testimonials

  • "Throughout my 2+ years with Erica, I've transformed into a completely new person. She has been there with me through the most difficult times in my life, and has empowered me to become the best version of myself along the way. She is communicative, open minded, and works at just the right tempo depending on how my needs change. I recommend her to anyone who is seeking a committed, kind, thoughtful therapist who works with you as an equal, collaborative partner through all of life's toughest and most rewarding moments. I'm so lucky to have Erica as my therapist."

    — A.S.

  • "I started working with Erica almost three years ago now. When I think about who I was when I had my intro call with Erica, I recall a version of me who is so far from who I am now and I am so grateful to have had Erica's support through all of this growth. There have been many times, especially in the beginning of my therapy journey, where going to session was the last thing I wanted to do with my time. But every time I showed up, I learned something about myself and left feeling like I had another small piece of the path laid in front of me. Erica challenged me at times (and still does!) to see perspectives I might not recognize on my own and to reframe my ways of thinking about myself and the situations I encounter. Through this, I've seen so much good change in how I move through the world and my relationships, even with myself. I feel that I still have so much to discover about what has made me who I am, and I'm so grateful to have Erica's support on this journey."

    — M.S.

  • "Working with Erica for the past three years has unequivocally been the most impactful choice I have ever made for my mental health. Her expertise guided me through my strongest depression and anxiety, and together we have built my emotional intelligence to a point where I feel more capable at work, in my marriage, and at managing my day-to-day. She is warm, intelligent, and an excellent communicator in and out of session. I would recommend Erica without hesitation to anyone."

    —K.

  • "It took me a long time to find a therapist that I could trust and feel comfortable with. Erica has guided me on a journey of self-acceptance and understanding. She has helped me process events of my life under a new light by being compassionate, empathetic, and kind."

    — A.C.

Operating as a seamless, dual-state practice, Understory Mental Health Collective provides premier, secure telehealth services to individuals navigating life across both Colorado and Wisconsin, alongside dedicated in-person care in the Madison, WI area.