Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Stanley.
Hi Erin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The idea of becoming a psychotherapist became an appealing career prospect for me sometime between middle childhood and adolescence.
I’m a child of the 90’s. I grew up watching talk shows after school: Ricki Lake, Jenny Jones, and Oprah were my favorites. I loved hearing guests’ intriguing stories, and the audiences’ vociferous reactions. I became curious about the big feelings I saw adults having – joy, jealousy, anger, disappointment, fear. I wanted to understand why they reacted in such big ways.
Following a series of losses in high school, my brilliant and progressive mother had the foresight to seek out counseling for me. For that I am eternally grateful. It provided me not just an outlet for better self-awareness, but began to shape an image for me of what a future career could be.
Following my high school graduation I chose to attend Spelman College and major in psychology. Then, after a few years of teaching in elementary schools in Metro Atlanta, I returned to graduate school to get my Masters in Social Work at the University of Chicago. From there, I was a school social worker in Washington, DC for several years. In that time, I obtained my graduate and ultimately clinical licensures in social work.
After over a decade of serving children and families, in 2021 I founded Honey Bee Therapy, a virtual psychotherapy practice created to support the intersection of women’s mental and sexual health. I will soon have my certification in sex therapy.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was a daunting thought to step into my own as a business owner. I had always imagined myself as a private practice owner, but only after years of experience in community mental health or nonprofit work. My thought was I needed to “pay my dues” before I could enter into the space.
Removing assumptions like this was a necessary process as I took the leap into private practice. I gave myself permission to begin the work because I did in fact have experience as a clinician. By betting on myself and acting courageously, I proved to myself what was possible. I am now proud to move into my fifth year of business as a soloprenuer.
We’ve been impressed with Honey Bee Therapy, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I own and operate Honey Bee Therapy, a virtual private practice I founded in 2021 to support the intersection of women’s mental and sexual health. I am a clinical social worker licensed in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. I am based out of my hometown of Richmond, Virginia.
I specialize in helping high-achieving, over-functioning women who feel stuck in toxic relationship patterns, offering a compassionate, empowering space to break harmful patterns and reconnect with themselves. My clinical focus includes sex and intimacy, anxiety, perimenopause (and other women’s reproductive matters), and identity shifts that often accompany major life changes.
With a background in education, I also partners with organizations to lead wellness workshops for women. My goal is to infuse every space I enter with warmth, clarity, and practical tools for growth.
My passion for healing and lifelong learning has guided dozens of individuals toward deeper self-awareness, lasting change, and emotional freedom.
What matters most to you? Why?
To be seen is to be loved. So many people are navigating this very tiring world without space to take a break, and let it all out. To be acknowledged for simply existing and making it through each day. It matters to me that people are recognized for their efforts, no matter how seemingly big or small.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.honeybeetherapy.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeybeetherapy_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honeybeetherapyva
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-stanley-lcsw/
