Story & Lesson Highlights with Dr. Erica Holmes of Los Angeles

We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Erica Holmes and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Erica , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
If I’m honest, I think so many people—especially professionals—are secretly struggling with the pressure to appear endlessly strong and endlessly “on.”

From my lens as a psychologist, a Black woman, a wife and a mother working in non-traditional spaces, I see how often people carry the weight of quiet exhaustion while still trying to maintain the image of being capable, creative, and unbothered. They don’t say it out loud, but behind the scenes they’re fighting. People rarely admit the realities of their struggles because vulnerability can feel like a liability. But the truth is: even the most gifted, the most disciplined, and the most “together” among us are often battling silent pressure, spiritual fatigue, and the desire for a moment to just be human without judgment.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a licensed clinical psychologist, author, educator, wife, mother, and a grounded voice who has built my career far beyond the traditional therapy room. With more than two decades of experience, I have become a trusted guide for creatives, executives, and high-profile professionals navigating the emotional demands of fast-paced, public-facing lives. My work blends clinical expertise with cultural awareness, real-world practicality, and a deep commitment to helping people thrive in spaces where pressure, performance, and privacy often collide.
I founded SetWell Advisory Group, LLC (SWAG)—a concierge mental-wellness consulting and therapist-finder service designed specifically for the entertainment industry and other high-achievement environments. SetWell offers confidential, curated therapy referrals and on-set wellbeing support that understands the unique rhythms, stressors, and vulnerabilities of creative work. What makes SetWell distinct is its focus on precision, discretion, and cultural attunement: helping clients connect with top-tier clinicians who not only understand their clinical needs but also their lifestyle, identity, and industry realities. In a moment when Hollywood and adjacent fields are finally acknowledging the psychological cost of constant production, visibility, and hustle culture, SetWell stands as both a protective resource and a proactive solution—promoting psychological safety and wellness for the people who help shape the stories we all consume.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
The same person who taught me most about life also taught me most about work: my mother. My mother was a bastion of hard work, dogged determination and faith. She worked to support herself and three children, while instilling the desire for a better life in each of us. One of her most common mantras was, “learn to work with your head so that you don’t have to work with your back.” I didn’t understand the gravity of those words until I became an adult. She left college after 2 years to start a family and soon found herself raising us as a single mother. She worked long hard hours in a manufacturing plant to provide for over 20 years. Like most parents she wanted a better life for us, and she led by example. She went back to college in her late forties and finished her bachelors degree, while working full-time and caring for a child at home. She taught me that hard work and perseverance are essential to achievement and that it is never to late to actualize your dreams.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, I would tell myself that, “there are no mistakes in life, only lessons”. When I was younger, I often thought that making the “wrong decision” was the end of the world: that there was no recovery. What I know to be true now is that I am who I am because of the choices I’ve made, good and not so good. I am the sum of all that I have experienced, and all that experience has taught me. I have learned from self-inflicted bumps and bruises and use those lessons to help guide me and others.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value that I hold onto at all costs is the South African principle of Ubuntu. It is the idea that “I am because we are”. Ubuntu symbolizes interconnectedness and a communal spirit where an individual’s identity and well-being are tied to the collective good. It highlights our humanity and our responsibility to each other. In essence Ubuntu underscores the fact that we cannot and do not exist in isolation. It reminds us to show kindness and concern for others because we are one.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I am surrounded by those I love and those who love me. Similar to what I discussed regarding the principle of Ubuntu, I am comforted by my connection to others. I have always loved connecting with others: hearing their stories, their hopes and dreams, their pain and sorrow. Over the years I have come to realize the healing power of connection. Hence why I have chosen to do the work that I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.SetWellLLC.com
• Other: https://www.Docerica.com