Ateka Contractor, PhD

Psychologist, SHE/HER/HERS

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, TX 37455 and authorized to provide teletherapy in 40 states and District of Columbia through PSYPACT

I obtained my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Toledo after completing my pre-doctoral internship at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Later, I completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Boston VA Research Institute. 

I have a decade of experience providing evidence-based therapy to diverse clients. My clinical training has primarily been within a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy framework, and I am focally trained in trauma-focused interventions (e.g., Prolonged Exposure) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. I have worked with clients presenting with a wide range of problems (e.g., depression, PTSD, severe psychosis, personality disorders) receiving services in inpatient, partial hospital, and outpatient psychotherapy settings. Additionally, I have worked with many clients of South Asian origin. The importance of understanding cultural influences in therapeutic processes has been central to my clinical work. Critically, my clinical work is influenced by and influences my research in addition to being evidence-based and data-driven. I have published more than 185 articles in scientific journals on mental health assessment and treatment and have spearheaded the development of a new potential treatment for PTSD. Such research has contributed to my understanding of psychological processes and ability to choose effective treatments and tailor them to a client’s needs, circumstances, and goals. 

Beyond being evidence-based, my clinical work is culturally informed, grounded in empathy and compassion, utilizes a strengths-based perspective, and is client-centered. In my work, I obtain immense joy in helping individuals be more healthy, build on their resilience, and accomplish life goals!

 

TREATMENT AREAS

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Posttraumatic stress disorder

  • Adjustment issues

  • Interpersonal relations

  • Acculturation and adjustment to a different cultural milieu

  • Substance use concerns

  • Sleep problems

  • Stress management

  • Self-esteem and identity concerns

  • Emotion regulation difficulties