About

Erica Van Buckner is a dynamic, culturally innovative social work and research professional with 15+ years of clinical training and experience, assessment validation, and progressive international advocacy and community organization. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Louisville; a Masters of Social Work from Louisiana State University (LSU), and is a  Ph.D. student of Social Work, in the dissertation phase at LSU - anticipated May 2025. She is also an adjunct professor at Tulane University School of Social Work -teaching Diversity and Social Justice (SOWK 7130); and Integrative Capstone Seminar (SOWK 7440)

Professor Buckner has fulfilled the education, training, and experience requirements established by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Credentialing Committee for self-regulated practice as a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW). Additionally, she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of Louisiana and Texas, and a Licensed Social Worker Associate Independent Clinical in Washington state. Prof. Buckner is also a  Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) for the United States Department of Transportation, a Certified Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) Facilitator for adults and juveniles, a Certified Parenting Instructor, and a Certified Anger Management Specialist (CAMS) who is well-versed in ASAM Level 1 and 2 treatment and psychoeducation skills training. In addition to her licensures and certifications, Prof. Buckner is trained in the following evidence-based practices: Substance Abuse Treatment; Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) for adults & adolescents; Values Clarification; Prime for Life (coming soon); Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for Anger Management; Shoplifting and Theft Prevention; Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (M-CBT); Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Exposure Therapy (ET), Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Brief-Solution Focused Therapy, Grief and Trauma Intervention (GTI; groups only), career and life coaching.  She offers individual, family, and group therapy to clients from ages 10 to 65. Therapeutic orientations: anxiety;  performance anxiety; social anxiety; phobias; depression; suicidal thoughts; coping skills; substance abuse; school/career/life stress; life transitions; grief; ADHD; anger management; behavioral issues; family conflict; parenting stress; self-esteem; and mental toughness.

Prof. Buckner has held leadership positions as the Lead Medical Social Worker, Therapist, and Intern Supervisor on the Adolescent Unit of a local New Orleans psychiatric and substance abuse acute treatment facility. She has also served as the Mental Health Program Director of the Mindful Men At-Promise Program (MMAP) for at-risk male youth in Louisville, KY partnered with Louisville Metropolitan Police Department and the University of Louisville Center for Mental Health Disparities. Additionally, Prof. Buckner was appointed as the Co-Lead Principal Investigator across three minority mental health research studies: Screening Aggression Violence Expression (SAVE) Project; Community and Family Excellence Project; and the Multi-cultural Family Project. At present she is the Principal Investigator of the Dagbon Digital Literacy Project, Northern Region, Ghana, West Africa. 

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At the Wise MindBody Institute, our philosophy is to treat the whole person with the incorporation of a functional nutritional medicine approach along with integrative screening tools such as collecting comprehensive biopsychosocial data; use of semi-structured interviews; comprehensive assessments; self-reports; and blood and urine lab analysis. Our primary goal is to partner and build a healthy and functional therapeutic alliance with individuals and families challenged by acute and chronic mental and behavioral health concerns such as familial conflict, and social and interpersonal challenges to set realistic and attainable goals that foster and promote motivation to change and sustain successful treatment outcomes. 

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The Wise MindBody Institute, subsidiaries, employees, and contractors abide by the  National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics which reflects the commitment of all social  workers to uphold the profession’s values, principles, standards, and to act ethically.

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Professor Erica Van Buckner, MSW, ACSW, LCSW, SAP, CSTAS, CAMS is a lifetime member of The International Honor Society in Psychology (Psi Chi); a member of the National Association of Social Workers; a newly inducted member of the Global Directory of Who's Who; and a former Rotary Global Grant recipient. She's also received several professional grants and merit scholarships such as Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program (BHWET) and the Louisville Metro Government Innovative Grant. She's presented research on anxiety, depression, culturally sensitive treatment mechanisms,  assessment validation, and treatment of minority mental health conditions at major conferences such as, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), International OCD Foundation (IOCDF); Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA); and Kentucky Psychological Association (KPA). Ms. Buckner is the co-author of 3 peer-reviewed journal articles; and is the Principal Investigator (PI) of the Dagbon Digital Literacy Project in Northern Region, Ghana, West Africa sponsored by Rotary International. 

To say the least, Prof. Buckner is honored to join each client on their journey as an intentional collaborator to help you work towards your optimal and best self. Cheers & Welcome!