Erica Paraiso

Erica became a relationship therapist following a career of more than 20 years in education, working as a teacher, learning and development manager, education consultant, tutor and trainer. During this time, she worked with people ranging in age from three years old to those in their 90s.

In the latter part of her education career, Erica worked with and taught adults and children with learning disabilities and significant emotional and mental health difficulties. She remains a passionate advocate for neurodivergent people and for ensuring that services are accessible and responsive to different needs.

Erica also brings extensive governance experience as a non-executive director and trustee. From 2003 to 2010, she served first as a trustee and later as Chair of the Vocational Training Charitable Trust, one of the UK’s leading specialist awarding bodies. She has since served on boards within the community music sector.

Since 2018, Erica has worked as a relationship counsellor and therapist with Relate and in private practice. She has also trained several cohorts of relationship counsellors. Erica is a qualified clinical supervisor, psychosexual therapist and compulsive sexual behaviour therapist.

Erica is a qualified teacher, trainer and education consultant and holds an MBA from the University of Southampton. Her counselling and therapy qualifications include an Advanced Diploma in Counselling Supervision, a Professional Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy and a Diploma in Compulsive Sexual Behaviour.

As an ATSAC trustee, Erica hopes to support the organisation in welcoming therapists from a diverse range of therapeutic approaches. She is committed to helping people address compulsive sexual behaviour, improve their sexual health and wellbeing, and access appropriate support for their partners and families.

Erica is passionate about counselling, psychotherapy and education. She hopes to use her experience to support the development of high-quality continuing professional development and specialist training for therapists working with this client group.