Erika Dankovits Kao, LCSW
Minds Wide Open Psychotherapy provides couples therapy for partners seeking deeper connection, improved communication, and more secure ways of relating.
Focusing exclusively on couples, including LGBTQ+ couples, we offer in-person relationship counseling to clients in Montclair, NJ, as well as over telehealth throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Florida.
About
Hey, I’m Erika! A licensed clinical social worker who wears jeans, has tattoos, and keeps a weekly appointment with her own therapist. And I’m ready to help you find and face your truth. HOW I GOT HERE
I started out in therapy on the other side of the room, as a client. My therapist, Susan, was both nurturing and unafraid to help me gently stretch myself where it mattered. That experience shaped me so profoundly that I chose this path for myself. Now I offer a similar space—supportive, honest, and human—where you can feel yourselves growing into the people you want to become.
MY LENS & MY VALUES
I approach therapy with an awareness of the social and cultural forces that shape our lives, including race, identity, power, and access. As a white therapist, I’m mindful of the privilege I hold, and I work to stay accountable and informed.
My aim is to create a space where your lived experience is honored and taken seriously. Healing is shaped by the world we move through and the histories we carry.
HOW I WORK
In our sessions, I’ll help you slow down enough to notice what’s happening inside of you and between you. We’ll explore your emotions, your reactions, and the deep needs that are hiding beneath the surface, as we begin to reshape what no longer serves you.
My style is collaborative, mindful, and deeply relational. I help you tune in to your inner wisdom, build emotional resilience, and create healthier, more connected relationships with yourself and the people you love. Healing isn’t linear, but with the right support, it can open up profound shifts in how you live and relate.
Contact
Details
Other Details
Therapy Approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Emotionally Focused TherapyMindfulness-based Therapy
Specialties
ADHDAlcohol Abuse and Alcohol DependenceAttachmentBoundary IssuesDivorceInfertilityInfidelity or AffairsLGBTQ IssuesLife transitionsParentingRelationship / Marriage IssuesTherapists Who Treat Other Therapists
Meeting Options
In PersonTelehealth
Age Range
Adults (18+)Adults (65+)
Payment
Payment Options
Individual Session Fee$250.00
Couples Session Fee$250.00
Payment Options
Self Pay Options / Out of NetworkOut of Network / Superbill Provided
Photos