Meet the Team

Dr. Erika Swanson is a senior supervising Clinical Psychologist, DBT-Linehan Board of Certification Certified Clinician™ and the Clinical Director for the DBT Program at Clearwater. Since 2009, Dr. Swanson has specialized in DBT and trauma healing for adolescents, adults, and families.

She has also received intensive training in DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE), which treats PTSD in adults and adolescents, as well as attachment-focused EMDR, an integrative trauma therapy developed by Laurel Parnell. She is a lead instructor for adult and multi-family DBT skills classes. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.A. in School Psychology from Teachers College. She completed her undergraduate degree in a joint program with Columbia University and Manhattan School of Music. Dr. Swanson brings a strong research background to her clinical work. Her original research has been published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. Dr. Swanson is a mother of three children, a high-schooler and two middle-schoolers. Dr. Swanson is dedicated to the ongoing practice of DBT in her personal healing work. She strives to bring sincerity, respect, collaboration, and humor to her work with clients.

Dr. Swanson is not accepting new clients at this time.

Karen Erickson, LMFT is a senior supervising therapist and Assistant Clinical Director for the DBT Program at Clearwater. Ms. Erickson was intensively trained in DBT in 2008.  Prior to that, she specialized in trauma therapy, non directive play therapy, and attachment issues.  Ms. Erickson works with children, teens, and adults, and provides parent coaching, with a primary focus on the young adult population (she teaches the young adult DBT skills classes).  She is also one of the architects of the new DBT-informed child program, CAMMP, helping 3rd to 5th graders develop the skills to manage  anxiety, depression and mood volatility.  Karen specializes in trauma recovery and has completed level I training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE), as well as attachment-focused EMDR, an integrative trauma therapy developed by Laurel Parnell, Ph.D. Ms. Erickson received her masters degree in clinical psychology from Saint Mary’s College in 2002 and has been a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2009.

Karen is not accepting new DBT clients. She maintains limited availability for short-term trauma-focused therapy for clients who have an existing therapist. 

Melissa brings two decades of work experience as an organizational administrator to Clearwater as well as an educational background in Marriage and Family Therapy.  As an undergrad, Melissa was in the Family Social Science Program and invested in Child Abuse and Prevention Studies (CAPS).  An avid advocate for social/racial justice, she focused her research and therapy practice throughout her master’s program working with interracial families.  Although it was Melissa’s full intention to become a practitioner after graduation, her first job after college was as an Educational Coordinator for a conflict resolution program at Teachers College-Columbia University in New York City; she has been an educational and organizational administrator ever since. Melissa came to California in 2006 and was the Director of a Bay Area diversity consulting firm for more than 13 years.  She is now the Office Manager at Clearwater and values the newfound opportunity to support the mental health of individuals and families receiving services here.

Cinthia is Clearwater’s friendly and motivated Office Assistant who has a diverse background in sales, manufacturing and administrative support. She is now dedicated to supporting the day-to-day needs of Clearwater’s busy counseling practice. With experience as both an Assembly Line Operator and a Sales Associate, she brings strong organization, customer service, and people skills to every role. Cinthia truly enjoys helping others, creating a warm and welcoming space, and being someone clients and coworkers can count on. She is known for her positive outlook, patience, clear communication, and genuine passion for helping others feel heard and supported.

Rachel Chapple, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice, entrepreneur, trainer, teen whisperer, and is excited to return to Clearwater Clinic as an affiliate and trusted referral. Dr. Rae originated from Los Angeles and relocated to the Bay to complete her intern and externships at Clearwater Clinic before launching into private practice. During her tenure at Clearwater Clinic, she was the lead DBT instructor of the Teens skills class and co-taught the Young Adult class with Karen Erickson. She is also fully trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy which facilitates emotional healing through the body. She has trained fledging and seasoned clinicians for organizations such as Fred Finch Youth and Family Services, East Bay Agency for Children and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute. Dr. Rae is an avid believer in teens and has passion for helping everyone be their best selves. In her free time, you will find her dancing, yoga-ing, climbing trees and/or hiking.