Erica Hubbard, LPC/MHSP

I am a licensed professional counselor who walks alongside adults navigating stress, relationship struggles, and seasons of change with compassion and care.

Welcome

I’m so glad you’re here. If you’ve landed on this page, chances are you’ve been carrying a lot—responsibilities, emotions, expectations—and you’re looking for a safe place to set some of it down. Reaching out for counseling is a brave first step, and I want you to know you don’t have to walk this road alone.

My name is Erica Hubbard, and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in Tennessee. I founded Porch Swing Counseling with a simple vision: to create a space that feels steady, safe, and real. Much like a porch swing, therapy with me offers both grounding and gentle forward motion—a place where you can breathe, reflect, and find courage for the journey ahead.

My Path to Becoming a Therapist

My path into counseling wasn’t straightforward—it was shaped by real life. Before entering higher education, I was a stay-at-home mom, devoted to raising my children and navigating the joys and challenges of family life. Later, I experienced life as a single mom, which brought its own set of struggles, resilience, and growth. Eventually, I remarried and entered into a blended family, learning firsthand the complexity, beauty, and hard work that comes with weaving new lives together.

Those personal experiences are at the core of why I became a therapist. I know what it’s like to feel stretched thin, to grieve the life you thought you’d have, and to search for hope when things feel uncertain. I also know the power of having a safe place to land—someone to really listen, encourage, and walk beside you. These moments inspired me to pursue my degree in counseling at East Tennessee State University and eventually open my own practice, where I could offer others the same kind of support that made such a difference in my own life.

My Inspiration: Why a Porch Swing?

The name Porch Swing Counseling comes from a place that’s close to my heart. To me, a porch swing represents rest, connection, and perspective. It’s where you can sit down after a long day, feel the steady rhythm of the swing, and let yourself breathe. Porch swings often hold conversations that are both lighthearted and deeply meaningful—laughter, tears, hard truths, and words of encouragement.

That’s exactly how I want counseling to feel. Not clinical or intimidating, but like pulling up a chair in a safe, familiar space where you can be yourself. A porch swing holds you steady while also allowing gentle movement—much like therapy, which offers both grounding and forward motion. The porch swing also reflects my East Tennessee roots, a reminder of the grit, grace, and community I believe in deeply.

For many, a porch swing is a place of belonging and reflection. For my practice, it’s a symbol of what I hope to give every client: a steady, welcoming place to rest, reflect, and find courage for the next step.

My Counseling Style

Clients often describe me as warm, down-to-earth, and approachable. I believe therapy should feel like real conversation, not a lecture or a list of instructions. I value authenticity deeply—what you see is what you get. I’ll show up as a real person, not someone hiding behind clinical jargon, and I invite you to do the same.

At the same time, I’m not afraid to sit with you in the hard places. My style blends grit and grace: we’ll face the tough stuff together with honesty and courage, but always with compassion, hope, and kindness. I also believe in using humor where it fits—sometimes laughter is exactly the medicine we need to take the next step forward.

What I Specialize In

I work with adults who are navigating a variety of challenges, including:

Anxiety & Depression: Learning how to quiet racing thoughts, ease heavy emotions, and build tools that help you feel more in control.

Life Transitions: Coping with big changes like moving, new roles, job stress, or shifting family dynamics.

Grief & Loss: Walking through the pain of losing someone or something important, while finding ways to honor your journey.

Caregiver Stress: Supporting those who care for others—parents, partners, adult children—who often feel unseen or overwhelmed.

Blended Families & Divorce: Navigating the complexities of co-parenting, step-parenting, and creating new family rhythms.

Interpersonal Relationship Abuse: Helping clients rebuild safety, self-worth, and confidence after unhealthy or harmful relationships.

Women’s Issues: Exploring identity, self-esteem, relationships, boundaries, and the many roles women are often asked to carry.

Chronic Pain & Health Challenges: Understanding how physical and emotional health intersect, and finding ways to cope with both.

ADHD: Offering strategies to improve focus, organization, and daily functioning while reducing shame and self-doubt.

How I Work

I believe therapy is most effective when it’s both personal and practical. That’s why I tailor my approach to each client, drawing from evidence-based methods while keeping our work grounded in your story, your needs, and your goals.

Some of the main approaches I use include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns that impact emotions and behaviors.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Builds psychological flexibility, using mindfulness and values-based action to navigate difficult feelings.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): Focuses on your strengths, resources, and goals to create meaningful change in the present and future.

I’ll explain these methods in plain language so they feel approachable, not overwhelming. You won’t get lost in clinical terms—just practical tools that make sense for your life.

What Clients Can Expect

When you sit down with me—whether in person or virtually—you can expect:

A space where you are seen, heard, and respected.

A counselor who is authentic and willing to meet you exactly where you are.

A balance of compassion and challenge—I’ll offer grace, but I’ll also encourage growth.

Practical strategies you can take with you to manage stress, emotions, and relationships.

Space for faith integration if that is meaningful to you (and no pressure if it isn’t).

My ultimate goal is for you to leave counseling feeling steadier, more hopeful, and more equipped to face life outside of our sessions.

My Values

Porch Swing Counseling is grounded in values that matter deeply to me:

Authenticity: Real conversations, real connection, no pretending.

Grace: Holding space for compassion, forgiveness, and hope.

Grit: Honoring resilience and the courage it takes to keep going.

Faith: Letting my Christian values shape how I show up with integrity, without imposing them on others.

Connection: Believing healing happens best when we feel truly understood.

Accessibility & Flexibility

I want counseling to feel as accessible as possible. That’s why I offer both in-person sessions in Northeast Tennessee and secure telehealth sessions for those who prefer to connect from home. I also provide a sliding scale for those with financial need and accept several major insurances (Aetna, Cigna, Carelon).

A Bit About Me Outside the Office

When I’m not counseling, I’m usually spending time with my husband and our four kids—whether that’s cheering at ballgames, fishing on the lake, kayaking, or just porch-sitting together. I love working out, being outdoors, and finding joy in the little moments of everyday life. My family keeps me grounded and reminds me of the deep connection between physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Final Thoughts

I know it takes courage to reach out for support. Choosing a counselor is a personal decision, and it’s important to find someone who feels like the right fit. My hope is that Porch Swing Counseling feels like a safe place for you to be real, to be heard, and to find hope.

If you’re ready to take that next step, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Together, we can face the hard things with both grit and grace, and work toward creating steadier, healthier, more hopeful paths forward.