Dr. Erica M. Ponteen has approximately 21 years of experience in organizational effectiveness, 15 years of clinical practice and program development, and 10 years of academic teaching, development, and improvement. Her leadership reflects an abiding commitment to the core values of clinical social work, advocacy, research, and academic excellence. Dr. Erica Melissa Ponteen, PhD, LCSW earned her master’s degree at New York University, Silver School of Social Work and subsequently completed her Ph.D. at Fordham University, Graduate School of Social Service. Her scholarly work has made significant contributions to the understanding and application of trauma-informed clinical practices, especially as they pertain to parenting behaviors, women’s mental health, and military social work. She is an expert in trauma-informed practice. 
 

Dr. Ponteen directed programs related to domestic violence at Safe Horizon and Field Education at Alliance University, School of Social Work. Her professional journey includes a tenure within the federal government sector, where she served as a Clinical Social Worker and has supported the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) at a Veteran Affairs Medical Center where she provides leadership to the Division of Veteran Affairs to develop a comprehensive program to address the clinical needs of Veterans, their partners, caregivers, and VHA employees who use or experience intimate partner violence. As VISN Co-Lead IPVAP consultant, she worked with all regional VISN 2 IPVAP staff to develop and coordinate services across the VISN to advance the IPVAP’s mission and goals.
 

Her dedication to advancing the social work field is reflected in her numerous presentations and the consultation she has provided on various research projects at Fordham University. She imparts her wealth of knowledge as adjunct lecturer to numerous NYC colleges and Universities, such as New York University, Fordham University, Yeshiva University, Alliance University, and SUNY, Empire College School, where her courses reflect rigor and relevance to the social work field. 

Her unique clinical approach is recognized as innovative. Dr. Ponteen is the founding owner of POWERFUL AND BRILLIANT BEYOND MEASURE LLC in New York and New Jersey. Her continued research, clinical experience, education, and public service pursuits have consistently centered on critical areas underscores her commitment to advancing social justice and improving mental health outcomes for the most vulnerable populations.