Erika J. Molina Vergara
Newberry
Summary
Dynamic Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience at Veterans Affairs Medical Center, specializing in substance use disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
6
6
Certifications
Work History
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychology Private Practice
Bayamón/ Manatí
01.2011 - 01.2018
- Assist over 800 patients, including children, adolescents, and adults, with a variety of mental health diagnoses.
- Individual, family, and couples/marriage therapy.
- Psychological evaluations (cognitive and personality testing).
- Sport psychology group and individual interventions.
- Written reports for Medicare, HMO, and disability compensations.
Clinical Psychologist/Addiction Therapist
First Hospital Panamericano (UHS-Universal Health Services)
01.2007 - 01.2018
- Coordinator of the IO Program, which implements Relapse Prevention therapy and the 12-Step Program for the substance and alcohol abuse populations.
- Primary Therapist – Develop and address short-term therapy goals that successfully stabilize and reduce patients' symptoms within an established period of time (adults and adolescents).
- Contribute key insight information about the patient’s substance use diagnosis and recovery within interdisciplinary case meetings.
- Prepare and address community conferences for psychoeducation regarding general mental health topics and the relationship with substance use.
- 2007 Internship Year.
SUD/ PTSD Clinical Psychologist Specialist/ GS 13
Veterans Affairs Medical Center Lake City
Lake City
08.2021 - Current
- Dual diagnosis (Substance Use and PTSD) Primary mental health provider for the initial intake assessments, development, and implementation of individual treatment plans, as well as conducting group sessions for two residential units - Substance Use Disorder Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (SUD RRTP) - (SARRTP/PRRTP), PCT (PTSD Clinical Team) Clinic, as well as SATT (Substance Abuse Treatment Team) Outpatient Program.
- Provides dual diagnosis clinical supervision and instruction for Interns and Post Doctoral students.
- Regarding Substance Use treatments- Implement Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders (CBT SUD).
- Regarding PCT Clinic- Implement Skills group (tailored for dual diagnosis population (SUD/PTSD) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Integrated CPT (I-CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Written Exposure Therapy (WET) and Concurrent Treatment (COPE) for PTSD + SUD (individual as well as group settings)
- Conduct In Person as well as Virtual (VVC) / telehealth sessions.
- Participate in daily Interdisciplinary Treatment Team meetings to support staff and as a consultant for dual diagnoses/ complex cases.
- Member of the Eating Disorders Treatment Team as a Psychologist and consultant for dual diagnosis cases.
Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP) / Clinical Psychologist (GS-13)
Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP)
Pensacola
05.2018 - 05.2021
- Clinical Supervisor for the SARP in charge of overseeing the program's day-to-day individual and group interventions, and process improvement functions.
- Plan, oversee, and supervise initial evaluations/screeners for diagnosis (DSM V) and level of care placement (ASAMs), as well as three levels of outpatient treatment (Prevention Program 0.5, Outpatient-1.0, Intensive Outpatient-2.0, and Continuing Care Treatments) for active duty military personnel.
- Provide supervision, training, education, and consultation to medical interns, unlicensed psychologists, and substance abuse counselors (ADC I/II), as well as Interns.
- On-the-spot crisis intervention, as part of the rotation of the NHP Mental Health Department Emergency Watch Officers.
- Establish liaison with line commanders and military civilian agencies to ensure continuity of care for sailors, as well as to orient regarding addiction disorders and levels of care recommended.
- Assist other branch clinics via telemedicine with initial evaluations and screenings.
Psyhologist
Rehabilitation and Treatment Division-Correction Facility
Bayamon
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Psychological evaluations, individual and group therapy for medium and minimum security inmates in the parole eligibility process.
- 1 year contract
Education
Doctor's degree - Clinical Psychology
Carlos Albizu University
San Juan, Puerto Rico01.2008
Bachelor's degree - Psychology
University of Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico01.2001
Skills
- SUD and PTSD specialist
- Case management expertise
- Motivational interviewing
- Staff training and supervision
- Intake interviewing skills
- Bilingual communication (English, Spanish)
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- AHLTA and CPRS knowledge
Certification
- Lean Sig Sigma Green Belt Course
- Prolonged Exposure (PE) + Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) + Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for PTSD
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Abuse Disorder (CBT SUD)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Suicide Prevention
- Mindfulness Certification
- Certified Level III Substance Abuse Counselor (NCC AP- MAP)
- Certified Domestic Violence Psychologist
Hobbies and Interests
Puerto Rico National Bowling Team, Member Certified Open Water Scuba Diver
Languages
Spanish
Native language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Affiliations
- During PTSD Awareness Month (June 2025) an activity to orient the VA Lake City Community, Veterans, family members and staff regarding PTSD, Substance Use, and the relationship between these two was organized. Informational brochures and prizes were distributed along with a presentation of symptoms, coping skills and treatments available.
Timeline
SUD/ PTSD Clinical Psychologist Specialist/ GS 13
Veterans Affairs Medical Center Lake City
08.2021 - Current
Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP) / Clinical Psychologist (GS-13)
Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP)
05.2018 - 05.2021
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychology Private Practice
01.2011 - 01.2018
Clinical Psychologist/Addiction Therapist
First Hospital Panamericano (UHS-Universal Health Services)
01.2007 - 01.2018
Psyhologist
Rehabilitation and Treatment Division-Correction Facility
01.2007 - 01.2008
Doctor's degree - Clinical Psychology
Carlos Albizu University
Bachelor's degree - Psychology
University of Puerto Rico
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