Erica Ponteen
Dr. Erica Melissa Ponteen, PhD, LCSW, is a social work scholar, educator, clinician, and expert in trauma-informed practice. Her scholarship and clinical work focus on trauma, women’s mental health, and military social work. She earned her MSW from New York University and PhD from Fordham University.
Her work integrates research, education, clinical practice, and public service to advance social justice and equitable mental health outcomes for underserved Change Your Thoughts, Empower Your Life, and Embrace Healing.
Dr. Ponteen has held clinical and leadership roles within New York City social service agencies, including the federal level of government. She has taught across several schools of social work and contributed to research and scholarly presentations. Her work integrates research, education, clinical practice, and public service to advance social justice and equitable mental health outcomes for underserved communities.
First session
During our first session, we will focus on creating a safe, welcoming, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel comfortable sharing your concerns, experiences, and goals for therapy. We will discuss your background, what brings you to therapy, and what you hope to achieve. We will also review privacy, confidentiality, and its limits, ensuring you understand how your personal information is protected. Together, we will begin building a trusting therapeutic relationship and exploring a personalized approach to support your healing, growth, and emotional well-being.
Strengths
My professional strengths include trauma-informed clinical practice, academic teaching and mentorship, research, organizational leadership, program development, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a strong commitment to social justice, culturally responsive practice, and mental health equity.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is an individual seeking a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space to navigate trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I am particularly passionate about empowering women and individuals who have experienced adversity to rediscover their strengths, develop healthy coping strategies, build resilience, and achieve emotional healing, personal growth, and lasting transformation through compassionate, culturally responsive therapeutic care.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you better understand how your thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. Together, we’ll explore patterns that may be holding you back, find healthier ways to manage stress, anxiety, and life’s challenges, and build practical tools you can use every day. My goal is to help you feel more confident, empowered, and in control of your emotional well-being.
Trauma-Informed Care
I use trauma-informed care to create a safe, welcoming, and supportive space where you can feel comfortable being yourself. I understand that past experiences can shape how we think, feel, and respond to life's challenges. Together, we'll explore these experiences at your own pace, without pressure or judgment. I'll help you recognize your strengths, understand your emotions, and develop healthy ways to cope. My approach focuses on building trust, respecting your choices, and helping you feel more confident and empowered as you move toward healing and growth.
Strength-Based
I use a strengths-based approach to help you recognize and build on the strengths, skills, and resilience you already have. Rather than focusing only on challenges, we'll explore what's working well in your life and how you can use those strengths to overcome obstacles.
Trauma-Focused CBT
My therapeutic approach is grounded in trauma-informed care, emphasizing emotional safety, trust, collaboration, and client empowerment. I recognize how past traumatic experiences can influence emotional regulation, cognitive patterns, interpersonal relationships, and overall psychological well-being. I integrate evidence-based interventions, including Trauma focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), to help clients process experiences, identify maladaptive thought patterns, strengthen coping skills, and build resilience.
Interpersonal
I use Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) to help you understand how your relationships and life experiences may affect your emotional well-being. Together, we'll explore communication patterns, relationship challenges, grief, and life transitions that may be contributing to stress, anxiety, or depression. My goal is to help you strengthen relationships, improve communication, build healthy boundaries, and develop meaningful connections that support your healing and personal growth.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- MarylandLicense 35537
- New JerseyLicense 44SC06370700
- New YorkLicense 095712