Dr. Erica Force, PhD, LP, CMPC

Dr. Erica Force is a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). She currently serves as a Lead Psychological Services provider at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and is the Team Clinician for the Washington Commanders.

Dr. Force earned her PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Texas. She completed her clinical internship and initial postdoctoral fellowship with the U.S. Air Force, serving four years as an active-duty military psychologist. As a military psychologist, she specialized in clinical and operational psychology, providing mental health care, performance enhancement training, and psychological assessment for active duty military members and for elite selection programs in the Air Force Special Operations Command. She went on to complete a second fellowship in pediatric psychology at Scottish Rite, followed by joining the Scottish Rite Center for Excellence in Orthopedic Sports Medicine as a staff sport psychologist, working closely with adolescent athletes navigating sport-related injury and recovery.

With over two decades of experience, Dr. Force brings a unique perspective shaped by her experiences supporting military combat operators, NCAA Division I collegiate athletes and teams, professional NFL and WNBA teams, elite youth athletes, and Team USA athletes. Her career journey includes serving as Associate Director of Athletic Counseling Services at Georgetown University Athletics, Mental Performance Specialist for the Baltimore Ravens, Team Psychologist for the Dallas Wings, and adjunct faculty at both the University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University.

Dr. Force is a Licensed Psychologist in multiple states (DC, VA, MD, TX, FL, CO, NY) and is an authorized PSYPACT provider. She is a member of various professional organizations, including the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), the Clinical/Counseling Sport Psychology Association (CCSPA), and the International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP).

Today, Dr. Force specializes in working with elite athletes, teams, and organizations, emphasizing the intersection of wellness, mental health, performance psychology, resilience building, and team culture development. She is trained in multiple evidence-based practices, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE). Her work is grounded in a systemic approach, integrating individual and team-level strategies to support long-term success and athlete well-being. As a lifelong athlete with a background in equestrian show jumping and competitive dog sports, she brings a deep appreciation for the mental and physical demands of elite performance. Her approach is athlete-centered, evidence-based, and collaborative, helping athletes thrive not only in competition but in life beyond sport.