Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Glidden.
Hi Erica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi! I’m Erica Glidden, Licensed Master Social Worker and owner of North Star Psychological Services. My career began as the Director of Care Transitions at a sub-acute rehabilitation center, where I led the social work department and supported patients’ mental health and discharge needs. I then moved into the nonprofit world as Program Director at Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit, overseeing psychosocial support for individuals and families affected by cancer.
I later joined the Relationship Institute as a therapist, specializing in couples and individual therapy. As my caseload and confidence grew, so did my desire to create a practice of my own. In 2020, I opened North Star Psychological Services—born from a passion for helping others during a time when mental health support was needed more than ever.
My journey into opening a group mental health practice came from a mix of clinical passion and recognizing a community need. I started my career focused solely on direct client work, and over time I realized how often people struggled to access services because providers were full or hard to reach. I wanted to create a space where clients could get quality, compassionate care without long waits. That vision gradually grew into North Star Psychological Services. I began with a small caseload, then built systems, partnerships, and a team that shared the same values. It’s been a process of learning, taking risks, and staying committed to making mental health care accessible.
I loved my one-on-one work, but I kept hitting a ceiling—my schedule was full, and people were still reaching out for help. I wanted to support more individuals and families than I ever could alone. A group practice allowed me to expand that reach, bring on clinicians with different specialties, and create a supportive environment for therapists who wanted to do the work without the administrative burden. It became less about ‘my practice’ and more about building something sustainable and community-centered.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges was transitioning from being a clinician to becoming both a clinician and a business owner. There’s a learning curve—HR, billing, marketing, accounting, compliance, supporting staff—those are skills we don’t get trained in. I overcame that by investing in mentorship, networking with other practice owners, and building systems step by step.
Trusting myself to grow and scaling a practice requires confidence, delegation, and clear vision. Learning to rely on my team and stay grounded in my mission helped me move through those moments.
Another big challenge was learning how to balance two major roles at the same time—running a business and being a mother to two young children. Building a practice requires time, focus, and consistency, but so does motherhood. There were moments where it felt like both roles needed 100% of me.I overcame this by getting really intentional with my time, setting boundaries, and giving myself permission to ask for help—both at home and in the business. I built systems that didn’t rely solely on me, and I created a supportive team I could trust. Learning to delegate, prioritize what truly mattered, and give myself grace made it possible to grow a successful practice while still being present for my kids. In many ways, motherhood has made me a stronger leader, more empathetic clinician, and more grounded business owner
We’ve been impressed with North Star Psychological Services, 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?
North Star Psychological Services was built on the belief that mental health care should feel personal, accessible, and genuinely supportive. What sets our practice apart is not just the clinical expertise of our team, but the heart, intention, and family-centered foundation behind the work we do.
A Dynamic, Specialized Team
One of the core strengths of North Star Psychological Services is the diversity of clinical specialties represented within our team. Every clinician brings a focused skill set—ranging from anxiety and trauma to couples therapy, child and adolescent support, and perinatal mental health. This specialized approach allows us to offer truly individualized care. Instead of a “one-size-fits-all” model, clients are matched with a therapist who has deep training and passion for their specific needs. This versatility makes the practice dynamic, collaborative, and able to serve clients across many stages of life.
A Family-Rooted Practice With a Tight-Knit Team
North Star isn’t just a practice—it’s a family effort in the most genuine sense. My husband and my brother are both clinicians within the practice, which creates an atmosphere of trust, warmth, and connection. That family foundation extends to every member of our team. We operate with a strong sense of unity, support, and shared purpose. That tight-knit culture is something clients feel the moment they walk in or join us online. It shapes the way we collaborate as clinicians, the way we support one another, and the way we care for the individuals and families who come to us seeking help.
A Strong Commitment to Perinatal Mental Health—for Moms and Dads
A defining feature of our practice is our commitment to perinatal mental health. We take a comprehensive approach that supports not only mothers, but fathers and partners as well. We understand that pregnancy, postpartum transitions, and early parenthood affect the entire family system. By offering specialized perinatal care—including support for postpartum anxiety and depression, birth trauma, identity changes, and partner dynamics—we help families navigate one of the most meaningful and challenging phases of life. Addressing the needs of both moms and dads allows us to strengthen the whole family, not just one individual within it.
Guided by Purpose, Grounded in Care
North Star Psychological Services stands apart because of the combination of expert clinical care and genuine human connection. We are intentional with our growth, mindful of our impact, and dedicated to creating a space where clients feel seen, supported, and guided. Our mission is to help people find their direction—just like the North Star—through compassionate, specialized, and family-centered mental health care. We are currently accepting new clients in person in Milford, as well as virtually.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that has been most important to my success is intentionality. Whether it’s growing North Star Psychological Services, supporting my team, or balancing motherhood with business ownership, being intentional guides every decision I make.
Intentionality helps me stay grounded in my mission instead of getting caught up in comparison or chaos. It shapes how I hire, how I lead, and how I show up for clients. It reminds me to build systems thoughtfully, nurture relationships, and create a practice culture that feels supportive and human.
Being intentional has also helped me navigate the hardest parts of owning a business—setting boundaries, prioritizing what truly matters, and staying aligned with the values that North Star was built on. It’s the quality that keeps the practice steady, compassionate, and growing in the right direction.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.northstarpsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northstarpsychologicalservices/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Northstarpsy
