On November 6, 2025, Dr. Erica Mitchell was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, where she will carry out a term through June 2028.
The Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy was created to license and regulate the practice of marriage and family therapy in Michigan. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the Board to promote and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare.
“I am honored to be appointed by Governor Whitmer to serve in this important role. I look forward to working with the other board members to uphold the integrity of marriage and family therapy practice in Michigan.” Dr. Mitchell said.
Dr. Mitchell joined the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in 2023 as an assistant professor and director of the MSU Couple and Family Therapy Clinic. She is also a licensed marriage and family therapist and an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) approved supervisor.
Dr. Mitchell has received formal training in various evidence-based interventions including Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), and the Relationship Checkup. She is committed to providing clinical supervision and training informed by evidence-based practice.
Dr. Mitchell’s research evaluates brief, evidence-based interventions for couples delivered in community settings. She studies the impact of these interventions on relationship, mental health, and physical health outcomes. Her program of research is currently focused on adapting interventions for couples with low-income and economic marginalization during the perinatal period. Dr. Mitchell’s work has been funded by foundation and intramural awards.
Dr. Mitchell has also served in several leadership positions. She currently serves as the treasurer for the AAMFT Couple and Intimate Relationship topical interest network, and is an editorial board member for the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. She also served as an associate editor for a special section in Family Process.
Dr. Mitchell received her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from MSU, her M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University, and her B.A. in Psychology from MSU.