Spencer R. Potesta
Psychotherapist & ceo of Social Capital
By trade, I am experienced in clinical and organizational psychology, using these skills to help individuals and organizations excel under whatever goals or pressures they might experience.
As a practitioner, I apply the same core psychological principles across a spectrum, from treating severe anxiety and trauma in clinical practice to building purpose-driven and resilient organizations through Social Capital. Looking ahead, I believe machine learning is another tool, alongside psychology, to extend this same mission from individuals to entire collections of people, which is part of why I'm researching how machine learning, specifically in quantitative finance and systems engineering, can impact collections of people positively alongside my clinical work.
I run a selective private clinical practice while leading Social Capital as CEO.
Psychotherapeutic Work
My background in clinical psychology drives my private psychotherapy practice, where, as a double board-certified psychotherapist in Illinois, I specialize in severe and complex anxiety disorders (i.e., OCD and phobias) and trauma-related conditions (i.e., dissociation/DPDR).
My success treating these high-complexity, treatment-resistant cases showed me both the transformative power of specialized care and the tragic scarcity of access for most people who need it.
This realization directly inspired me to scale exceptional mental health treatment, leading to the creation and growth of Midsommer, now expanding nationwide under Social Capital.
I continue to deliver intensive, evidence-based treatment to a carefully selected patient group while advancing broader access through the organizations I build. I also am co-owner of Chicago Counseling Center in Illinois.
Social Capital
As CEO of Social Capital Holdings, a multi-strategy firm, I apply organizational psychology principles to build and scale companies that I have deep personal and strategic interest in.
Our core activity is active private investment: we acquire and grow businesses where we can add meaningful value through hands-on leadership, operational improvement, and ethical scaling, always prioritizing the well-being of organizations, employees, and stakeholders.
Looking ahead, I see real headwinds coming, and I believe machine learning is another tool, alongside psychology, to meet them: one that can extend the same mission from individuals to entire collections of people. That belief is embedded in the name Social Capital itself. It's part of why I'm currently completing an MS in Finance (quantitative methods) and beginning a PhD in Systems Engineering, with dissertation research on physics-constrained machine learning for multi-scale energy system optimization, work that directly informs how we apply machine learning across our two newest strategic areas: proprietary financial modeling and industrial/energy systems. We will soon release a proprietary model along with a industrial/energy application.
Currently, we have been doubling down in the healthcare and mental health space, most visibly through scaling Midsommer into a leading platform for clinician-owned, high-quality, accessible psychotherapy across multiple states. Midsommer's origins came after a success with our Illinois-based flagship firm Chicago Counseling Center, and Midsommer is us continuing our methods.
This unique multi-strategy model allows us to create resilient, values-driven companies while generating resources for broader impact.
Foundation Work
The Social Capital Foundation represents the culmination of my abilities across clinical practice, coaching, and company building, and frankly, where my heart truly lies.
I care deeply about bringing mental health access to everyone who needs it, regardless of circumstance. The foundation is my most direct way of using my talents toward what I believe could be part of a lasting solution: channeling 100% of donated and reinvested capital into healthcare initiatives that support individuals and organizations in need.
As a 501(c)3 non-profit endowment fund, we maximize every dollar through streamlined operations to create sustainable, wide-reaching impact.
Book
Core principles from my clinical, coaching, and organizational work — outlining emotional and behavioral control in high-stakes settings.
Contact
Clinical inquiries (complex and severe anxiety): Midsommer Psychotherapy