Spencer R. Potesta
CEO & Co-Founder | M.A., M.A., LCPC, NCC
As CEO of Midsommer, I lead with a deep passion for creating positive change, blending my active clinical psychotherapy practice with my expertise in organizational psychology. Double board-certified and specializing in severe mental illness, I personally focus on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and dissociative disorders, while also addressing complex anxiety and trauma disorders—such as Phobia/Agoraphobia and Generalized Anxiety Disorder—delivering evidence-based treatments like CBT and ERP for personalized, transformative care. My drive extends beyond clients to clinicians and organizations, where I leverage my dual expertise to cultivate resilience, growth, and meaningful impact at every level.
Background
Spencer is a double board-certified psychotherapist specializing in severe mental illness, an expert in organizational psychology, and CEO of Midsommer. With two master’s degrees—one in clinical psychology and one in organizational psychology—he brings a unique blend of hands-on clinical expertise and systems-level insight to his work. As an active clinician, Spencer is deeply committed to treating individuals with complex anxiety and trauma disorders, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Dissociative disorders, Phobia/Agoraphobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and the intricate intersection of anxiety and trauma. He is also the author of Principles of Performance and Control, where he distills his approach to empowering both people and organizations.
In his clinical practice, Spencer employs evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), with a special emphasis on in-person exposure work for clients facing intense anxiety responses. He offers prolonged ERP sessions (half-day and full-day) for those seeking concentrated, high-quality care, particularly for severe and treatment-resistant cases. His approach is direct, open-ended, and rooted in psycho-education, empowering clients to understand their symptoms and take charge of their progress. Spencer invests fully in each client, drawing on his extensive experience across all levels of care to provide personalized, impactful treatment.
Beyond his clinical work, Spencer is passionate about organizational psychology, using his psychological expertise to help individuals, executives, and organizations achieve peak performance. He focuses on creating an optimal environment where clinicians and patients alike are supported, ensuring a space that fosters growth and healing. He is committed to making high-quality care accessible, breaking down barriers to effective treatment. Additionally, Spencer leads the Social Capital Foundation, a healthcare nonprofit where he concentrates on supporting healthcare access. Under his direction, 100% of donated funds are dedicated solely to providing healthcare resources for individuals and organizations in need. Splitting his time between treating patients, building organizations, and driving social impact, Spencer applies the same hands-on tools that guide his clients to foster resilience, excellence, and support across both individual and systemic levels.
E-mail: spencer@midsommer.org