Denise’s story is one of passion, resilience, and unyielding dedication to healing and advocacy. What began as a personal journey sparked by her desire to help her speech-delayed daughter has evolved into a lifelong career focused on addressing trauma, mental health, and addiction within the most vulnerable populations.
Denise began her path into social work when she was 37, returning to school while still raising her three young children. Inspired by her daughter’s need for speech therapy and her own advocacy for appropriate services, Denise sought a way to extend that advocacy to others. She earned a Master’s in Social Work from Stony Brook University, initially with the goal of working with developmentally disabled children. But as budgets were cut, Denise pivoted, taking on part-time case management and diving into the complex world of serving people with developmental disabilities, children in foster care, and individuals struggling with addiction.
A Transformative Turn: Trauma-Informed Care
Her professional journey took a pivotal turn when she worked in a methadone clinic for Nassau County and attended a transformative trauma-focused conference in 2000. It was there that she first encountered the idea of treating trauma as a root cause rather than simply addressing its symptoms. This concept resonated deeply with her, given her personal history of trauma, and it has since become a cornerstone of her practice. Though an ambitious initiative by New York State to become trauma-informed failed to materialize due to changes in administration, Denise’s commitment to trauma-informed care never wavered. She has since dedicated herself to learning and implementing various trauma treatment modalities, from motivational interviewing to EMDR and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Advocacy and Public Mental Health
Denise’s career also includes significant achievements in the realm of public mental health. Her work with the Commission of Mental Health for Nassau County and her involvement in the success of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) under Kendra’s Law stands as one of her proudest accomplishments. AOT, which includes housing as part of treatment, was found to significantly reduce hospitalizations and incarceration rates. Denise’s work involved coordinating care across multiple providers, ensuring people in the program received comprehensive support, and advocating for the patients when other systems faltered.
Throughout her career, Denise has worked with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and addiction. From supervising teams providing services to formerly homeless individuals in New York City to working for the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health in Nassau County to educating medical residents in California about addiction, domestic violence, and mental health, Denise’s impact has been far-reaching. Her passion for understanding the intersection of trauma, addiction, and mental health continues to inform her work today, especially as she transitions into psychotherapy.
Personal Story: The Impact of Generational Trauma
Denise’s personal story is as compelling as her professional one. As a first-generation American, her family’s immigrant experience has shaped her worldview and understanding of systemic inequities. Raised by parents who survived the ravages of war and displacement, Denise witnessed firsthand the lasting effects of generational trauma. Her mother’s rage, stemming from untreated trauma, and the contrasting responses of her father’s side of the family, shaped Denise’s understanding of resilience and healing. Her parents’ struggles to provide for their children in a foreign land fueled her own drive to help others achieve what they could not: the opportunity for education and a better life.
In reflecting on her path, Denise acknowledges that trauma’s effects can manifest in diverse ways across generations. She is deeply aware that the trauma she experienced as a child—combined with the tools she’s accumulated over the years—has positioned her to offer others the support they need to heal. Her work is driven by a profound belief in the power of proper care to help individuals transform their lives. She shares the story of a woman she encountered who, despite enduring extreme adversity, found healing through trauma-informed care. From a life spent in and out of prison to becoming a professional and a mother raising her child, this woman’s story exemplifies the profound impact of care and intervention.
Commitment to Change and Empowerment
Denise’s commitment to trauma-informed care, advocacy, and empowering others is evident in every aspect of her work. Her lifelong dedication to improving the lives of those most in need is a testament to her belief in change—not just for individuals, but for communities and systems as well. Her multifaceted approach, enriched by her own personal experiences and a deep understanding of the complexities of trauma, addiction, and mental health, has made her an invaluable resource to the field. As she continues her work in psychotherapy, Denise is guided by the belief that, with the right care, no one is beyond redemption.
Denise and the SWEET Institute
Denise’s relationship with the SWEET Institute reflects her deep commitment to transformative social work and trauma-informed care. Her journey, shaped by a passion for advocating for marginalized populations, aligns seamlessly with SWEET’s mission of fostering healing, empowerment, and system-wide change. Through her rich experience in diverse settings—from serving individuals with severe mental health challenges to promoting trauma-informed treatment models—Her approach, integrating various therapeutic modalities and emphasizing resilience, exemplifies the core values of SWEET, making her a key ally in advancing the Institute’s vision of supporting mental health professionals in their work with vulnerable populations.
A Legacy of Empathy, Resilience, and Change
Denise’s life and work are a testament to the power of empathy, resilience, and the transformative potential of trauma-informed care. Her journey is a powerful reminder that, with the right tools, support, and advocacy, anyone can move from the depths of despair to living a life of fulfillment and purpose. And for Denise, every small part she plays in helping others achieve that transformation is a victory worth striving for.
Denise Elizabeth Erker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has been in the field for over 25 years. She received her BA from The New School for Social Research and her Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from SUNY Stony Brook, and she has worked in a wide variety of settings.
Ms. Erker strongly believes in Trauma-Informed Care. Her approach to care is to work collaboratively with the client. She has been trained in several different modalities, believing different people need different forms of help. She has been trained in CBT, MI, DBT, and EMDR. Ms. Erker has experience working with a wide variety of clients, including those with alcohol and/or substance use issues, PTSD, survivors of rape and incest, domestic violence, childhood trauma, individuals with Serious Mental Illness, eating disorders, and needs related to family and marriage counseling and parenting issues. As a first-generation American, she has a knowledge base for working with immigrants and their families. She was born in Brooklyn to immigrant parents, who were WWII refugees and met on the ship coming to America.
In her spare time, Ms. Erker enjoys reading, traveling, and walking, as well as family time.