HHP Alumni Spotlight - Erika Taylor

HHP Alumni Spotlight – Erika Taylor

Erika Taylor

Class of: ‘17

Degree: M.S., Marriage and Family Therapy

“Earning my master’s degree was the fulfillment of a life-long dream. I’d known from age 12 that I wanted to be a marriage and family therapist and train at East Carolina University,” Taylor said.

“I came from a home impacted by divorce and I wanted to assist couples and families in renewing connection and hope. ECU offered me a safe space and a place to learn the skills needed to cultivate this practice. I grew into the adult I always knew I could be but was afraid to acknowledge. I was challenged to evolve, grow and transform, while being supported along the way by peers, faculty and staff in the College of Health and Human Performance. I credit ECU and HHP for creating a stimulating learning environment that felt like family and helped me bravely and confidently conquer my future.”

After earning her master’s in 2017, Taylor joined ECU’s behavioral health clinical faculty as a medical family therapist. She provides behavioral health services to patients at ECU Family Medicine and Geriatric Clinics as well as at Chocowinity and Belhaven Vidant Clinics. She’s also worked with K–8 students in the Duplin County School System.

Taylor was a 2019 recipient of the ECU “40 Under 40” leadership award and was named one of the southeast’s Top 40 Young Professionals Under 40 by The Fayetteville Observer in 2013. She also represented North Carolina at the 2015 Miss International pageant, focusing on the importance of prenatal care and early childhood development. She continues to volunteer, advocate and lobby in support of early childhood education and perinatal health initiatives, with programs across the area, including Vidant’s maternity wing and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the Go Red for Women campaign, Greenville March for Babies and the North Carolina Foundation for Early Childhood. She’s the President Elect-Elect of the Junior League of Greenville.

Her advice to Pirates? “Show yourself grace on the days you begin to doubt your abilities – you’re right where you are supposed to be. Embrace moments of transformation, for those moments lead to renewed purpose and direction. And, be yourself, for you are enough.”

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