TRAINING AND CREDENTIALS

I am a psychologist in independent practice in Ann Arbor, MI. My credentials include:

• Doctor of Psychology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Full APA Accreditation
• State of Michigan, Full Licensure in Clinical Psychology: License # 6301012318
• International Certification in Open Dialogue family therapy, Institute for Dialogic Practice, New Haven, CT

I have completed a total of 400 in-person hours and train-the-trainer instruction in Open Dialogue family practices. I have been taught or supervised by experts in evidence-based psychotherapy for psychosis, including professors Jaakko Seikkula, PhD, Bertram Karon, PhD, and Mary Olson, PhD, founder of the Institute for Dialogic Practice.

My way of working has also been deeply influenced by colleagues with their own experience of psychosis recovery. I have completed trainings provided by:

Jacqui Dillon (and Gail Hornstein, PhD)

Hearing Voices Network support group facilitation

Ron Coleman

Dialogue with Voices, Voice Profiling

Peter Bullimore, Kate Crawford, and Shaun Hunt

Maastricht Interviews for Voices and Paranoia

Emma Bragdon, PhD, MFT

Working with Spiritual Emergency

Tim Dreby, MFT

Working with Special Message Receivers

I have participated in peer supervision with Dan Fisher, MD, PhD, the developer of emotional CPR, and other colleagues with personal experience of recovery.

I am currently engaged in Liberation Psychology and De-Colonial Mental Health training.

I encourage clients to learn about support networks, providers, writers, and ideas different from my own. See the “Resources” page for links to these and other options.

Psychiatric consultation is sought by most people who experience unusual beliefs or voice-hearing. Medications are found by many to be helpful. If you take psychiatric medications, collaboration between your prescriber and therapist is very important.

CONFIDENTIALITY, SAFETY, AND COLLABORATION

A sense of security often develops in an accepting, open therapy relationship with consistent therapy attendance. If you have been through psychological emergencies in the past, or sense that this may occur in the future, thorough crisis planning can be very helpful. Collaboration tends to increase safety in uncertain situations.

A plan that reflects your needs, wishes, and creativity is often improved when we can collaborate with your support circle and other providers. Utilizing previous health records can be useful as well. It is your right to keep your psychotherapy completely confidential, within certain limits (see Forms section for Informed Consent and HIPAA exceptions to confidentiality). I will ask you to allow us to collaborate with your other supports and previous health providers, though you may decline this option if you wish.