I am Erica Goodstone, Ph.D., LMHC, LMFT, LMT, LPC, an experienced, licensed and nationally credentialed psychotherapist, marriage and relationship therapist, board certified sex therapist, and body psychotherapist.  I have years of experience handling issues about emotional problems, relationship conflicts, sexual concerns, dysfunctions, compulsions and addictions, and body image problems.  I work with individuals and couples, providing individual sessions,  joint couple sessions, intensive longer sessions for clients who live in distant cities or want to work more intensely, and workshops and seminars on specific topics.

During my years of practice, I have made numerous TV and radio appearances, including some recent interviews on CBS4 in South Florida. I have also given workshops and seminars at such local health expositions as New Life Expo in New York City and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Free Spirit Expo in New York City, The Wellness Community at Florida Atlantic University, Century Village Boca Raton Community Center, and many others.

I have presented my theories, research and mind/body therapy methods at various national and international conferences, including The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, The American Association for Integrative Medicine, The American Mental Health Counselors Association, The Society for Sex Therapy and Research, The International Association of Rubenfeld Synergists, The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, The Primal Therapy Association, The International Society for the Scientific Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine, The U. S. Association for Body Psychotherapy, The Palm Beach Association for Death Education and Counseling, The American Health Association, and others.

My articles, interviews and citations have appeared in  numerous national magazines (including, Mademoiselle, Marie Claire, and Penthouse Forum), professional journals (including, The Online Journal of American Association for Integrative Medicine and The Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy), and professional newsletters (including a term as editor of the US Association for Body Psychotherapy newsletter, Keeping in Touch, and monthly columns for the American Mental Health Counselors Association Newsletter, AMHCA Advocate). My chapters appear in the book Healing Journeys: The Power of Rubenfeld Synergy and in the section on Holistic and Touch Therapies in the award winning book: The Continuum Complete International Encyclopedia of Sexuality. I have also been listed in the Marquis Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare and in the 2008-2009 Montclair Who's Who in Healthcare.

I have several decades of experience as a practicing psychotherapist and as a Professor of Health and Physical Education.  I have lectured and taught courses, seminars and workshops on a variety of topics related to creating success in life, handling stress and other emotional and physical problems,  maintaining optimum health and wellness, and remaining motivated, productive and successful at work as well as at home. 

During my time as a Professor of Health and Physical Education, I became chairperson of the department for several years before taking an early retirement to pursue a full-time therapy and speaking career.  In that capacity, I had to deal with the faculty and staff, the academic deans, the college vice presidents and president, human resources, as well as a very active union, That experience taught me about the intricacies of work-related issues, group dynamics, what works, and what doesn't work.  My goal was to use the skills I had acquired as a psychotherapist to heal the long-standing issues and wounds of the faculty and staff in my department.

Currently, I am the captain of a high level competitive tennis team.  My goal is to create greater team spirit, to inspire my teammates to enthusiastically attend team practice sessions, to understand the strengths and weaknesses and personality styles of each player so that we create the most compatible and winning doubles teams, and to help my teammates to be encouraging and not critical of each other and especially of their doubles partner in any given match.

An added dimension in my work is my unique method of mind-body therapy, a form of body oriented somatic therapy or body psychotherapy.  My private therapeutic work involves the judicious use of gentle, non-intrusive and respectful touch that assists clients to recognize and let go of habitual tension patterns in their body.  As the bodily tension lessens, this allows your mind to become less clouded and your thoughts to become less random and more vivid.  Since our minds work with images and metaphors, when your bodily tension lessens, your mind can more easily access deep and profound meanings that may surprise you.  Insights and understandings appear to arise miraculously, often presenting an entirely new perspective that sometimes leads to instant healing of lifelong mental or emotional blocks.

I have received training in a wide variety of body therapies (including polarity and craniosacral therapy, shiatsu, massage therapy, and Alexander Technique)
and have learned a unique method for combining talk with touch, The Rubenfeld Synergy Method.

Clients are often amazed at what they discover about their life, their relationships, and the extent to which they have been ignoring the subtle messages of their mind and body.  As you start to intentionally pay closer attention to the details of your emotional and physical interactions, changes spontaneously and naturally begin to happen, almost effortlessly. 

My therapeutic sessions as well as my lectures and seminars are not hard work.  They are a blend of gentle coaxing and enhanced receptivity in your body, mind and spirit so that life becomes a work of art in progress and you gain greater and greater control of your own creative process.

My Work

The focus of my life's work is the healing of relationships - relationships between intimate partners, business associates and co-workers, family members, friends, acquaintances, and especially the relationship you have with your own self and your own body.  I have maintained a steady, successful and life-transforming private practice, working intimately with each person to help them attain their life's goals.

Clients come to see me because of relationship problems, sexual issues, emotional discomforts, physical aches and pains, blocked creativity, financial and career dilemmas, anxiety, depression, loss and bereavement, trauma, physical and sexual abuse, sexual dysfunctions, gay, lesbian and cross-gender concerns, aging, maintaining wellness, and a host of other life isses.

Love, respect, kindness and dedication to your own well being is paramount to achieving ongoing success and happiness in your life. Having the courage to pursue your own life's purpose, to live your own unique style of living, and to follow your own integrity regardless of outer circumstances is the stuff that champions and winners are made of. 

My Services

My therapeutic services include private, one-on-one counseling sessions with individuals and couples as well as small group therapeutic sessions, intensive individual or group sessions, and half day, full day or weekend seminars and workshops.

I am available to offer presentations lasting from 1 -3 hours, half-day, full-day, or for an entire weekend (including Friday night, full-day on Saturday and half or full day on Sunday).

Creating Successful Relationships

Communicating with Ease

Solving Men's and Women's Issues - Viva La Difference!

Overcoming Sexual and Relationship Problems

Maintaining Optimumal Wellness

Healing Your Body and Your Mind

Stress Management and Handling Overwhelming Emotions

Healthy Aging - Maintaining Health and Wellness At Any Age

Touch For Health and Wellness

Overcoming Compulsive Problems (E.g., Internet Addiction)

Coping with Loss and Change, Grief and Bereavement

Working with the Creative Process: Creating What You Want

Creating Strategies for Successful Living

Academic Degrees

Ph.D., New York University, Human Sexuality, Marriage and Family Living.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            M.A., New York University, Health and Physical Education in Schools and Colleges.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     B.A., Queens College, State University of New York, Psychology and Education

Licenses and National Certifications

* Licensed and Nationally Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor

* Licensed and Nationally Certified Professional Counslor

* Licensed and AAMFT Certified Marriage and Family Therapist

* Licensed and Nationally Certified Massage and Bodywork Therapist

* Diplomate/Fellow, American Association for Integrative Medicine

* Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management

* Diplomate, American Board of Sexology

* Fellow, American Academy of Clinical Sexologists

* Certified Sex Therapist, American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists

* Approved Clinical Supervisor, Mental Health Counseling

* Certified Rubenfeld Synergist

* Registered Polarity Practitioner

* Shiatsu Practitioner, American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia

A session with Dr. Erica makes me feel half my age and totally comfortable in my skin.  When I walk away from her office, my body moves with more ease and flexibility.  Regardless of the pressing problems I bring to my session, I always leave feeling the weight of my world temporarily lifted from my shoulders.   

Lee Gerstad, Poet, Author and Rubenfeld Synergist, New York 

Dr. Goodstone has helped me to reframe my current way of thinking to include a calmer, more accepting, less material,   and more spiritual perspective in my life.

 Mark Weinstein, Professional Trader, Featured in Jack Schwager's Market Wizards

I recently contacted Dr. Goodstone for a professional consultation about one of the characters in my new novel.  Not only did Dr. Goodstone graciously and enthusiastically provide her expert opinion, she offered some additional insight after reading each and every chapter. I can't thank this wonderful woman enough for her support, encouragement, and the time she spared to do some small editing.  Dr. Goodstone is a knowledgeable, caring and responsive professional, and I will certainly thank her for all her help on the acknowledgement page in my Fireflies novel.

A. R. Alan, author of: If You Really Loved Me, You'd Take Out the Garbage, The House of Cupcakes, The CB (Chocolate Brown) Social Club, and numerous short stories, sreenplays, and poems. Please see www.aralanbooks.com.

Dr. Goodstone has contributed her time, services, and expertise on the mind-body connection to several national organizations....She is a dedicated, caring professional who is continually reading her newsletters and journals and taking refresher courses to maintain her skills and keep current in the field.  In the past few years, at those times when my life felt unbearably stressful, I would go to see Dr. Goodstone for a body psychotherapy session.  Invariably, I would leave her office feeling calmer and more at peace.  Her clients have reported a similar sense of well-being from her sessions. 

Anita Ribeiro, M.S., LMHC, Former Board Member, U. S. Association for Body Psychotherapy

The class gave you a great rating, truly enjoying your presentation. 
Thanks so much! 

Dr. Susan Lee, Director, Florida Sex Therapy Institute 

I have known Dr. Erica Goodstone for several years.  She is an excellent counselor, working with individuals and couples.  She has maintained her CCMHC, NCC, and is an NCC Approved Supervisor, working with supervisees.  She has presented at several conferences over the last years and I was privileged to be at one of those presentations at the USABP where she presented on the body/mind relationship and its benefit in helping clients.  Her presentation was scholarly and also had a wonderful experiential component.  She has also been active in several national organizations.  She is a kind, sensitive, well trained professional with much integrity. 

Cappi Lang Comba, Ph.D., LPC., Associate Faculty, Counseling Psychology, Prescott College, Arizona

I saw a flyer...that says you'll be the speaker at the next meeting of the Association for Death Education and Counseling. I hope to be allowed to attend
as your topic is super.  Plus, I think you're a terrific speaker. 

Ann McNeil, LCSW

Dr. Erica Goodstone is a competent, compassionate and insightful relationship therapist.  I was in an extremely conflicted emotional state, due to a difficult and painful relationship, when I came for a session with Dr. Goodstone for counseling.  Through a myriad of creative therapy techniques including talk therapy and body work,  I was able to find my true self and gain perspective and insight into my relationship and my response to loss.  I am grateful to Dr. Erica Goodstone for getting me through a very confusing and tumultuous experience and helping me to move past it toward achieving more worthwhile goals. 

D. S., Entrepeneur, South Florida 

Your therapy sessions seem to have helped us better understand our current positions, but more importantly the path towards the preservation of our marriage.  You coached us to express our feelings, desires, likes and dislikes, and that is a great start.  You also got us started in rebuilding the relationship trust that eroded during the last several months.  It is quite clear to both of us that to revitalize our intimate connection with each other, we need to get re-acquainted with the "new" ourselves.  We are aware that this process will take some time and we are determined to give it a shot.  We thank you, Dr. Goodstone, for having played an important role in repairing our marriage. 

I. and R., Former Client Couple, South Florida 

After several years of working with Dr. Goodstone, I finally developd the courage to live the life of my dreams.  I retired from a lifetime career, I met a beautiful woman and got married for the first time in my life, and we have begun working and travelling together as a couple.  Thanks to Dr. Goodstone, I am finally living a normal and happy life. 

S. R., Photographer, Former Client, New York City 

Thanks ever so much for responding to my questions.  you gave very detailed answers which was good as you have provided me with a lot of information for my paper. 

Catherine Bohorquez, Student, Florida Atlantic University

I wanted to thank you again for letting me interview you.  I got an A on the presentation....Everybody loved knowing about you and what you do.  My teacher was very pleased because I was able to deliver it with so much enthusiasm and the main reason was because I was excited to talk about such a wonderful person and it has made an impact on my life to meet with such an intelligent and accomplished woman.    Muah!  

Lissette Nieto, Student, Miami Dade 

Thank you so much for responding.  I know you must be very busy but it has helpd me greatly.  Thanks again....I am interested in your career.  I desire to be a sex therapist and the route there is very confusing.  You probably don't have much time to take out from your busy schedule but your specialties intrigued me so if I could just ask a few questions I'd appreciate it greatly. 

Stephanie Zito, Student, South Florida                          

Thanks you so much for your quick and informative reply.... I have been trying to find an accredited Sex Therapy Course in the Miami area for some time now and came across your listing on the Florida Area listings. I wonder if you offer this training and if not, if you would be able to suggest an accredited site. 

K. C., Ph.D., South Florida

Thank you very much again.  Your answers will be great informational material for my research....I'm interested in Polarity Therapy because I'm doing a research project for school (Florida Career College).  I'm pursuing my A.A. in Advanced Massage Therapy and my area of concentration will be Polarity.  I looked at many sites to obtain information and professionals in the area and I found your name.  I would like to ask some questions about Polarity. 

Eliana Anderson, Student, Florida Career College