Ayanna Abrams, Psy.D.

Transcription

1 Ayanna Abrams, Psy.D Clairmont Rd., Suite Decatur, GA Ph: (732) E: LICENSURE & CERTIFICATION - #PSY Georgia, September 2012 Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) Certification In Progress Trainer: Michael Barnett, LPC EDUCATION The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, 2011; Masters in Clinical Psychology, 2008 Concentration: Multicultural & Family Systems Dissertation Title: Consumption of Black Erotic Literature and Perceived Impact on Partner Seeking and Relationship Habits in Heterosexual African American Women Syracuse University Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in Psychology, 2002 Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies, 2002 CLINICAL TRAINING Emory University Student Counseling Center Postdoctoral Psychology Fellowship, 2012 Faughn Adams, Psy.D.,, Supervisor Provided individual and couple s counseling with undergraduate and graduate students. Facilitated interpersonal process group. Proficient in diagnostic assessment. Served as mental health liaison to Office of Multicultural Programming and Services (OMPS) and participated in campus events. Crisis intervention and after-hours on-call services. Served as clinical supervisor to an intermediate doctoral level practicum student. Coordinated and taught practicum seminar for intermediate and doctoral level practicum students on clinical and professional development topics. Co-facilitated Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) group for graduate students. Provided individual and couple s counseling, and diagnostic assessment through Emory University and Hospital EAP (Faculty Staff Assistance Program) utilizing six-session brief therapy model. Co-facilitated grief and loss group with Emory faculty and staff. 1

2 Emory University Student Counseling Center American Psychological Association (APA) Accredited Predoctoral Internship, 2011 Pamela Epps, Ph.D.,, Supervisor Provided individual and couple s counseling, diagnostic assessment and co-facilitated interpersonal process group. Held crisis intervention and on-call services. Served as mental health liaison between EUCC and Office of Multicultural Programming and Services (OMPS) and also provided consultation to Residence Life staff. Outreach provision included developing and co-facilitating program relevant to black romantic relationships for students of African descent. I also supervised a doctoral level practicum student. WORK EXPERIENCE Ascension Behavioral Health, LLC, Present Owner & CEO I provide evaluation, counseling and consultation services to individuals, couples and organizations throughout the metro-atlanta area. Areas of specialty include adults, racial and ethnic minorities, multicultural/diversity concerns and training, young adult populations and students through individual, couple, and group counseling. I also provide psychological assistance and treatment to employees and impaired professionals. Additionally, I consult with various organizations nationally on topics related to mental health and wellness. Atlanta Job Corps Center, 2013 Present Center Mental Health Consultant Provide social, emotional and career assistance to all student-employees to increase chances of employability. Facilitate weekly seminar to new students providing information about issues of mental health and wellness, and diversity. Deliver presentations to students and staff on topics including Psychopathology, Stress Management, Decision Making, Work-Life Balance, etc. Emory University Faculty Staff Assistance Program, Contract Staff Psychologist Responsibilities included diagnostic assessment, individual and couple s counseling, family treatment and case management through Emory University and Hospital EAP (Faculty Staff Assistance Program), utilizing six-session brief therapy model. Emory University Student Counseling Center, Contract Staff Psychologist Provided diagnostic assessment and brief individual and couples therapy to undergraduate and graduate students presenting with a wide range of mental health issues. Morehouse College Counseling and Resource Center, August 2012 November 2012 Contract Staff Psychologist 2

3 Responsibilities included diagnostic assessment and six-session model individual psychotherapy with undergraduate, primarily African American male students presenting with a wide range of mental health concerns. Community Mental Health Council, Parent Assessment Team - Assistant to the Psychologist Reviewed psychological, court, hospital, and the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) records and condensed information for dissemination and review by Parent Assessment Team. Consulted weekly with a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and doctoral candidates on Parent Assessment Team (PAT) tasks to write forensic assessment reports for DCFS. Reviewed and edited forensic documents written by multidisciplinary PAT for final distribution to DCFS. Trained and supervised diagnostic externs in clinical interviewing, psychological report writing, forensic report writing and therapy. CLINICAL PRACTICA EXPERIENCE Roosevelt University Counseling Center, Advanced Extern Mary Grigar, Ph.D.,, Supervisor Individual therapy, diagnostic assessment crisis intervention with college aged (undergraduate, graduate and professional) populations. I also provided outreach (psycho-education, workshops and program development) for students and staff. Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., Therapy Extern Drew McLeod, Ph.D.,, Supervisor Diagnostic assessment, individual and group therapy with adults presenting with a wide range of severe and persistent mental illnesses. Groups included psycho-educational groups and interpersonal process groups i.e. social skills training, anger management, healthy eating/meal planning, healthy emotions and substance recovery groups. Community Mental Health Council, Diagnostic Extern Grant White, Psy.D.,, Supervisor Diagnostic assessment and psychological testing (intellectual and personality) of children, adolescents and adults. Group co-facilitation with children diagnosed with ADHD. Forensic assessment of families with the Parenting Assessment Team (PAT) which included structured interviews with parents with various mental illnesses coupled with open Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) allegations of abuse or neglect of their children; assessed level of potential risk or harm these parents pose to their children through audio and videotaped interviews and observation of family dynamics. 3

4 RESEARCH The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, 2010 Dissertation Title: Consumption of Black Erotic Literature and Perceived Impact on Partner Seeking and Relationship Habits in Heterosexual African American Women Chair: Chante DeLoach, Psy.D. A qualitative study exploring the perceived impact of consumption of black erotic literature on relationship habits and expectations of heterosexual black women in relationships with black men. Implemented focused dyadic interviewing to conduct minute interviews with women regarding their experiences with reading black erotic literature, stereotypes in the black community, and romantic relationships with black men. University of Chicago Institute for Juvenile Research, 2009 Co-Facilitator Primary Investigator: Geri Donenberg, Ph.D. Promoted pilot study of IMARA (Informed, Motivated, Aware and Responsible about AIDS) program. Implemented 2-day workshops for African American at-risk mothers and their teenage daughters on STI and HIV/AIDS awareness, education, prevention and intervention. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Primary Investigator: Chante DeLoach, Psy.D. Served on research team focused on ethnic and gender discrimination, workplace stress, and coping styles in sample of Ethiopian nationals. SUNY Upstate Medical University, Primary Investigator: Richard O Neill, Ph.D. Ten-year data analysis of research study on Systems Centered Therapy (SCT) annual conferences. Syracuse University Department of Psychology, Meta-analyzed research interventions on Mental Retardation in child populations. Syracuse University Department of Psychology, 2004 Implemented reading interventions with elementary school children in school settings. SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS & MEDIA APPEARANCES 4

5 Emory University Student Counseling Center, October 2015 Presenter Cultural Considerations in the Clinical Treatment of Heterosexual Couples of African Descent Dekalb Medical Pediatrics Conference, July 2015 Presenter A Foundational Overview of Gender Dysphoria Black Celebrity Giving, Inc, May 2015 Empowerment Panelist Participated in panel discussion at City of Refuge on their Day of Empowerment for primarily African American women and their children living in transitional housing. Dr. Sarah s Hourglass Radio Show, April 2015 Guest Interview Title: Social Media, Anxiety and Mood Topic Description: How use of social media may contribute to increases in anxiety and/or depression, particularly for adolescents and young adults. Dr. Sarah s Hourglass Radio Show, March 2015 Guest Interview Title: We ve Finished High School, Now What? Topic Description: Transition out of the home/into early adulthood for young adults and families. Live & Love, LLC and Velvet Lips, LLC, October 2014 Panelist Participated in a panel discussion on sex, sexuality sex addiction as portrayed in the media vs. clinical presentations in therapeutic settings. Huffington Post Live, November 2013 Guest Expert Is the Label Crazy Problematic for Women? Siemens Corporation USA PRIDE Network Lunch & Learn, (NJ) November 2012 Facilitator StressBreak: Stress Within the LGBT Community Single Black Male (SBM.org) Blog, December 2011 Guest Blogger The Problem with Black Men Accusing Black Women of Being Crazy RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS 5

6 DeLoach, C., Bolden, M., Ball, J., Abrams, A. (2008) The Boondocks: Use of Provocative Media in Teaching Multicultural Competence. Presented at The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Annual Convention: Chicago, IL. (Poster) McFadden, M., Abrams, A., Arizmendi, P. (2008) Training through Intergroup Dialogue. Presented at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Annual Cultural Impact Conference: Chicago, IL. (Poster) PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) Georgia Psychological Association (GPA) International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) LEADERSHIP Association of Black Psychologists, Chicago Chapter (ABPsi), Executive Board Member and Student Representative Co-Chair The Chicago School Student Association (CSSA), Secretary/Historian COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Multicultural Mentoring Program, BeHIV Better Existence with HIV, Black Celebrity Giving, Present SKILLS Proficient in the following programs in Microsoft Office. Proficient in EAPiSoft: EAP software, Daybreak software and Titanium university counseling software. REFERENCES Chante DeLoach, Psy.D. Assistant Professor 6

7 The Chicago School of Professional Psychology 325 N. Wells St. Chicago, IL Pamela Epps, Ph.D. Associate Director for Training Emory University Counseling Center 1462 Clifton Rd., Suite 235 Atlanta, GA Faughn Adams, Psy.D. Emory University Counseling Center 1462 Clifton Rd., Suite 235 Atlanta GA, Marilyn Hazzard-Lineberger, Ph.D. Emory University Faculty Staff Assistance Program 1762 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA