Erica Rodriguez

Erica Rodriguez is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Cultural & Family Psychology at Pacific Oaks College, teaching in an online campus environment. She is also the Permanent Supportive Housing Supervisor at the LA LGBT Center and actively contributes to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Psychology and a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), both from the College of Notre Dame de Namur and Pacific Oaks College respectively. She is currently pursuing a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, where her focus is on developing a curriculum to enhance cultural sensitivity among mental health professionals serving gender-expansive adults.

• BA in Sociology, College of Notre Dame De Namur, 1999
• BA in Psychology, College of Notre Dame De Namur, 1999
• MFT, Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena, CA, 2007
• Psy.D (in progress), The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Erica's research and professional interests center on LGBTQIA+ mental health, multicultural training, identity development, and trauma-informed care for underserved populations, including homeless youth, foster care and juvenile justice-involved individuals, and immigrant and first-generation families. Her work emphasizes anti-bias curriculum design, community mental health, and social justice advocacy.

Though no publications are listed, her expertise spans critical areas such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic/existential approaches, positive psychology, and gender-affirming care, indicating a strong interdisciplinary orientation in clinical and cultural psychology.

She has delivered trainings nationwide on LGBTQ youth and systems of care and is a fellow of the Racial Equity in Homelessness Social Justice Partnership. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes empowerment, knowledge acquisition, and service to marginalized communities.

Erica has over 26 years of experience in both clinical and management roles, working with dual diagnosis youth, communities of color, and underserved populations. She is deeply engaged in professional learning communities, curriculum development, and advocacy for foster youth, homelessness, and LGBTQIA+ rights.

She is affiliated with the LA LGBT Center and contributes to DEI initiatives, training, and program development. Her current work includes building culturally responsive frameworks for mental health professionals, particularly in adult teaching and learning contexts focused on gender identity and reassignment.