🏛️ Founder & Chief Executive Officer "The Empathy & Resilience Doctor™" · "The E.R. Doctor™"

Dr. Dwayne L. Buckingham

Ph.D., LCSW-C, BCD

Founder, President & CEO — The Empathy & Resilience Center, Inc.

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DB Founder & CEO · Since 2015

25+ Years of Behavioral Health Experience

40K+ Individuals Served Worldwide

22 Years of Commissioned Military Service

2015 Year TERC Was Founded

About Dr. Buckingham

A Life Dedicated to Healing, Service & Access

Dr. Dwayne L. Buckingham is the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of The Empathy & Resilience Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization he established in 2015 to address the growing mental health, behavioral health, and wellness needs of veterans, military families, underserved populations, and individuals facing barriers to care.

A nationally recognized psychotherapist, leadership educator, and resilience expert, Dr. Buckingham has dedicated more than 25 years to helping individuals, families, and communities overcome adversity, strengthen resilience, and achieve lasting personal growth. Widely known as "The Empathy & Resilience Doctor™" and "The E.R. Doctor™," he is respected for his compassionate, culturally responsive, and strengths-based approach to healing, leadership, and human development.

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Dr. Buckingham has provided psychotherapy, coaching, training, and consultation services to more than 40,000 individuals worldwide. His expertise spans trauma, resilience, leadership development, relationship health, military and veteran transitions, and community well-being.

As Founder and CEO, Dr. Buckingham provides strategic leadership for TERC's mission to expand access to trauma-informed, culturally responsive behavioral health services and community-based support programs. Under his leadership, the organization works to ensure that healing, hope, and resilience are accessible to all — regardless of income, insurance status, military affiliation, or life circumstance.

We exist because healing is not a privilege — it is a human right.

Areas of Expertise

Ten Areas of Deep Professional Expertise

A career spanning clinical practice, military service, national speaking, and nonprofit leadership — built on decades of real-world impact.

🧠Behavioral Health & Psychotherapy

🛡️Trauma, Resilience & Recovery

🎖️Veteran & Military Family Support

🏆Leadership Development

💡Empathy-Driven Leadership

🏘️Community Mental Health

🌍Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

🏢Organizational & Workforce Wellness

🚀Executive Coaching & Professional Development

⚕️Public Health & Human Services Leadership

Academic Credentials

Education & Licensure

A foundation of rigorous academic training, advanced clinical licensure, and board certification.

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Human Services — Capella University

Doctoral Degree

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Clinical Social Work — Michigan State University

Graduate Degree

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Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Jackson State University

Undergraduate Degree

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LCSW-C & BCD

Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical & Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work

Dual Licensure

Military Service

22 Years of Commissioned Service

Dr. Buckingham honorably served 22 years as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force and the United States Public Health Service — providing behavioral health services, psychological assessments, crisis intervention, and resilience training to service members and their families worldwide.

Multiple leadership and clinical positions across global assignments

Behavioral health services and psychological assessments for service members

Crisis intervention and resilience training for military families worldwide

Six Commendation Medals National Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Numerous Achievement & Unit Awards

🇺🇸 22 Years of Commissioned Service U.S. Air Force & U.S. Public Health Service

Signature Framework

Creator of the E.R.T.™ Framework

Dr. Buckingham is the creator of the Empathy, Resilience & Transformation (E.R.T.™) Framework — a model designed to help individuals and organizations navigate adversity, develop deeper empathy, and create meaningful, lasting change.

The E.R.T.™ Framework is the intellectual and philosophical foundation behind TERC's programs, counseling model, coaching approach, and training curriculum — ensuring every service is grounded in empathy, resilience, and real transformation.

Learn About the R.E.A.L. Method

E.R.T. ™ Framework Empathy · Resilience
Transformation

Learn More About Dr. Buckingham & TERC

From his clinical work to his military service, national speaking, and nonprofit leadership — Dr. Buckingham's life and mission are one and the same. Healing is not a privilege. It is a human right.

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