About

Professor Erica Eaton is affiliated with the Innovations in PTSD Treatment and Research Lab (IPTR) at Brown University and the VA. Her work focuses on advancing the field of PTSD treatment and research specifically for military Veterans affected by trauma. She collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians to develop novel approaches that integrate neuroscience, psychotherapy, and complementary interventions. The research led by Professor Eaton emphasizes improving Veterans' quality of life and functioning, rather than solely focusing on symptom reduction. Her efforts aim to deepen the understanding of how individuals heal from trauma and to translate this knowledge into effective clinical care that benefits Veterans and their families.

Research topics

• Clinical psychology
• Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Internal medicine
• Psychology
• Psychotherapist
• Medical emergency
• Physical therapy
• Social psychology

Selected publications

• MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Veterans with PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorders: Considerations for Randomized Controlled Trials

  Alcohol · 2026-04-07

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Neuroimmune Mechanisms Underlying MDMA-Assisted Therapy in Veterans with Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder

  Alcohol · 2026-04-07

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Psychedelics for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Narrative Review with Candidate Mechanisms of Action

  CNS Drugs · 2025-07-10 · 4 citations

  review
  PublisherDOI

• Mindful Self-Compassion for Veterans with Morally Injurious Experiences and Co-Occurring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorder: A Feasibility Study

  Journal of Dual Diagnosis · 2025-04-01 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  : The open-label design and small sample size preclude conclusions regarding efficacy. However, these preliminary findings are encouraging and suggest further investigation of MSC as a compliment to existing trauma-related therapies (NCT03681288).

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A pilot study of stellate ganglion block paired with exposure therapy: Feasibility and acceptability in combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

  Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy · 2024-03-14 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that stellate ganglion block (SGB) combined with trauma-focused therapy may help veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) whose symptoms have not responded to traditional treatments. By combining SGB with in vivo exposure, veterans may be more able to fully engage in treatment and see improvement in their overall functioning. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this project was to conduct a nonrandomized pilot trial on the feasibility and acceptability of delivering SGB paired with individual psychotherapy to veterans with combat-related PTSD. METHOD: = 14) constructed a hierarchy of in vivo exposure exercises, received the SGB procedure, and attended four additional weekly psychotherapy sessions with a focus on exposure exercises. Participants completed measures at baseline, weekly during treatment, and follow-up assessments immediately posttreatment and 1-month later. RESULTS: = .004. There were no significant improvements in psychosocial functioning or quality of life. CONCLUSION: SGB paired with psychotherapy is feasible and acceptable to veterans and holds promise for symptom reduction among veterans with combat-related PTSD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

  PublisherDOI

• In the new era of psychedelic assisted therapy: A systematic review of study methodology in randomized controlled trials

  Psychopharmacology · 2024-04-29 · 20 citations

  reviewOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Design and methodology of the first open-label trial of MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder: Considerations for a randomized controlled trial

  Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications · 2024-07-20 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) commonly co-occur and are associated with more severe symptomatology than either disorder alone, increased risk of suicide, and poorer response to existing treatments. A promising therapeutic intervention is the integration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and psychotherapy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated MDMA- assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) as a Breakthrough Therapy for PTSD based on results from six Phase 2 clinical trials. Case data from the first study evaluating MDMA-AT study for AUD found the treatment was well tolerated and alcohol use was significantly reduced post treatment. Methods: = 12) with PTSD and AUD. Neuroimaging and biomarker data are included to evaluate brain changes, and neuroinflammation, pre-post treatment. Conclusions: The clinical component (comorbidity) and the regulatory processes (Schedule I drug) for setting up this clinical trial are long and complex. The research community will benefit from this work to establish common clinical trial outcomes, standardized protocols, and risk assessments for FDA approval. Clinicaltrialsgov: NCT05943665.

  PublisherDOI

• Treating posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder comorbidity: Current pharmacological therapies and the future of MDMA-integrated psychotherapy

  Journal of Psychopharmacology · 2023-11-27 · 12 citations

  reviewOpen access

  Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) frequently co-occur in patients who have experienced trauma. This comorbidity leads to a vicious cycle where PTSD symptoms beget heavy drinking and vice versa. There are no FDA-approved medications to treat PTSD-AUD; therefore, individuals suffering from this comorbidity are treated with medication approved to treat the disorders separately or with off-label pharmacological interventions. However, these medications are limited in their efficacy for treating PTSD-AUD comorbidity. Emerging research on the nonclassical psychedelic drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) suggests that it may be an effective drug used in conjunction with psychotherapy. The following reviews the current research for clinical pharmacotherapies, as well as MDMA-integrative psychotherapy as they pertain to PTSD and AUD in isolation and co-occurrence. Future directions for the role of psychedelic-integrative therapy for the treatment of this comorbidity are discussed.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A randomized clinical trial comparing Interpersonal Psychotherapy with Prolonged Exposure for the treatment of PTSD in veterans

  Journal of Anxiety Disorders · 2023-09-09 · 5 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• A Brief Report on an 8-Week Course of Mindfulness-based Care for Chronic Pain in the Treatment of Veterans With Back Pain

  Medical Care · 2020 · 8 citations

  1st authorCorresponding
  • Medicine
  • Physical therapy
  • Psychiatry

  BACKGROUND: Chronic pain and associated symptoms are debilitating for veterans. Medical costs of treatments are high and current treatment options, most notably with opioid medications, have been associated with significant risk. Mindfulness-based interventions appear promising for chronic pain, but require additional testing in veteran care settings. OBJECTIVE: This project was designed to test the feasibility of engaging and retaining veterans with chronic lower back pain in a new mindfulness protocol tailored for veterans, mindfulness-based care for chronic pain (MBCP). Clinical outcomes were also assessed. DESIGN: An open pilot trial of an 8-week MBCP course that included meditation, gentle yoga, and psychoeducation. SUBJECTS: Twenty-two veterans (mean age=49.77; 18% women) were recruited from a VA Medical Center in the Northeastern US. After screening for inclusion/exclusion criteria, 20 were eligible at baseline. MEASURES: Veterans were assessed at baseline and postintervention for functional impairment, pain intensity and bothersomeness, depression, and mindfulness. RESULTS: The average number of sessions completed was 5; only 4 (20%) attended all sessions. Eleven of the 20 participants (55%) attended 5 or more sessions and had complete preintervention and postintervention visits. Five of the 11 had a clinically meaningful decrease in pain intensity and in depressive symptoms, while 6 of 11 had a meaningful decrease in pain bothersomeness and functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS: It was challenging to enroll and retain participants in this study, even with our intervention designed for veterans. We discuss possible adaptations and refinements in MBCP for veterans with chronic pain to enhance feasibility and improve upon these interventions.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Christy Capone

  Providence VA Medical Center

  44 shared

• Carolina L. Haass‐Koffler

  Allen Institute for Brain Science

  22 shared

• Brian Borsari

  19 shared

• Nadine R. Mastroleo

  Binghamton University

  13 shared

• Brian J. Gully

  Brown University

  12 shared

• Robert M. Swift

  Providence VA Medical Center

  9 shared

• William C. Oakley

  Midwestern University

  9 shared

• Michael S. Worden

  Allen Institute for Brain Science

  9 shared

Education

• Ph.D.

  Fielding Graduate University

  2014

• M.A.

  Fielding Graduate University

  2010

• B.A.

  University of Rhode Island

  2005

Awards & honors

• Department of Veteran Affairs Merit award through RR&D