Alleged Unlicensed Psychologist May Face Trial

COURT HOUSE – In March 2017, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office issued a release that announced the arrest of Ronnie Erricson, 49, a Court House resident who was accused of practicing psychology without a license.
The fact that some of the individuals Erricson treated were juveniles also led to a charge of endangering the welfare of a child. Both charges were in the third degree meaning that if convicted Erricson could face up to five years in prison on each count.
News of the arrest made for press accounts across the state. What followed was months of silence.
Erricson was indicted five months after his arrest in August 2017. The indictment listed the names of 11 different patients that he allegedly saw as patients. 
Over a year later, some of those patients and their families are anxious to know when this case will finally go to trial.
Background
Erricson retired as a county Corrections Officer in 2010 with state records showing he was entitled to a pension of $57,500 annually. At the time of his arrest last year, the state Treasurer’s Office said that if he were convicted, the Pension Board would have to review the pension situation.
Erricson’s still active profile on social media has him listing a psychology doctorate from California Southern University. The degree, a PsyD, is a doctorate aimed at clinical practice. The college is a for-profit institution which offers the courses through an online program.
His profile also states that he is certified by the National Child Trauma Stress Network for “traumology,” the study and resolution of various forms of trauma, and for “psychological first aid.” It lists him as a Masters Therapist and Psychotherapist.
At the time of his arrest, the Prosecutor’s Office stated that Erricson held neither a doctorate nor a license to practice in New Jersey.
Listing his association with New Beginnings Behavioral Health, Erricson says he has been a therapist for seven years and nine months, placing the start of his practice of psychology at a point immediately following his retirement as a Corrections Officer.
Erricson’s list of educational accomplishments includes numerous certificates and degree programs making him at once a trauma responder, addiction coach, and mental health counselor. Yet, language used in the listings course programs makes it unclear if the final degree or certification was always achieved.
The investigation of Erricson’s business began when a patient became suspicious of his claims to a doctorate and a state license.
Pre-Trial Conference
The Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that a pretrial conference is scheduled for Oct. 11.
The pretrial conference is generally the last step before the start of an actual trial on the charges. It generally means that no motions are left pending, discovery is complete and any attempts to dispose of the case without a trial have ended. 
This conference usually also marks the end of any plea agreement offer that may have been made to the defendant. Barring disposition of the case at the conference, the outcome is the setting of a trial date.
For some of the individuals and families who feel harmed by Erricson’s practice of psychology, a trial date has been long in coming. One grandfather of a patient of Erricson has expressed frustration with the delays.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.