Fostering the business interests and professional development of the psychology community. |
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| Meet Our Newest Board Member – Jennifer VanBeck
Jennifer VanBeck, PsyD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a psychotherapy practice for adults and adolescents. She graduated Cum Laude with a BA from the University of Rochester, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Art History. Dr. VanBeck received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) at Widener University. |
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Her pre-doctoral internship was at the Caron Foundation now known as the Caron Treatment Center, a world-renowned alcohol and drug rehabilitation center.
She did a 2-year post-doctoral residency at the Renfrew Center in Philadelphia, the first and one of the most famous eating disorder residential treatment centers.
Dr. VanBeck’s approach is largely psychodynamic, but she also integrates CBT, DBT, and interpersonal therapies. She specializes in working with eating disorders and anxiety disorders. She works with clients of all ages but specializes in working with college students and young adults.
Dr. VanBeck is married with a 4-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son. Her husband is a local dentist. She was originally from the New York metropolitan area but relocated to Ann Arbor in 2018. Dr. VanBeck is involved in several non-profits and is active in the Ann Arbor Jewish community.
Want to meet more of our Board of Directors? Check out their introductions! |
Member Spotlight - Pamela McCaskill, Ph.D. |
WPS takes great pride in its members, who are driven, passionate, and highly accomplished. We believe our audience can gain valuable insights by getting to know them better. That's why we're conducting member interviews—so you can connect with the inspiring individuals who make up our community. |
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Pamela McCaskill’s journey into psychology was rooted in a deep connection to children and a commitment to addressing the misunderstandings surrounding their behaviors and mental health needs. This passion, sparked by the personal experience of seeing a loved one mislabeled and underserved, guided her toward a career in clinical psychology. She pursued her Ph.D. at Wayne State University, where her focus on research and the scientific model laid the foundation for her future work. Her internship at the University of Florida/Shands Hospital further shaped her approach, blending research with practical, evidence-based interventions to support children and families.
Her professional path is one that has been marked with significant growth. Starting with early research on homeless children, Pam transitioned into private practice, eventually co-founding a 25-member group practice with her husband, also a clinical psychologist. Their practice, with locations in Plymouth and Brighton, Michigan, offers a wide range of services, including neuropsychological assessment, Equine Therapy, Eating Disorder Treatment and Recovery Programs, and Couples Counseling. As her practice expanded, she embraced the dual role of clinician and business leader, navigating the challenges of managing a growing team while maintaining high standards of care. Looking ahead, Pam aspires to further strengthen her practice, providing comprehensive, developmentally oriented assessments and interventions for families across their lifespan.
Outside of her professional life, Pam finds joy in traveling, spending time with her family, and exploring creative outlets like digital photography and crafts. Recently, she’s developed a passion for pickleball, which has become a favorite way to unwind. Her travels have greatly influenced her worldview, exposing her to diverse cultures and deepening her understanding of the complexities of the human experience. These personal pursuits not only bring balance to her life but also enrich her professional perspective, allowing her to approach her work with empathy, creativity, and a broadened outlook.
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Practical Tips for Therapeutic Change
Dr. Larry Perlman |
The Value of Solitude and Alonetime
In a time when we are flooded with information and digital stimulation, many people are recognizing the value of solitude and time to reflect on our lives. I am summarizing some of the information on this subject. My former colleague at NYU, Esther Buchholz, wrote a book in 1997 titled The Call of Solitude: Listening to Alonetime. This subject is even more relevant to our busier lives nowadays. Here are some tips that I have gleaned from more recent publications. They can be organized by Locations and by Activities that facilitate Solitude and Alonetime.
Winter can feel like a difficult, lonely season. It also provides time for stillness and reflection that can benefit mental health and well-being. Churches and other religious institutions are ideal places to experience quiet and solitude. One can sit alone and enjoy the silence without being disturbed by anyone. Cemeteries likewise lend themselves to quiet contemplation. Onlookers are unlikely to disturb one’s meditative silence. Of course, libraries have always been a refuge for people who seek quiet places for contemplation. They also provide books on subjects related to new ways of thinking about our lives.
Such activities as quiet walks outdoors each morning, evening, or during breaks at work are useful practices that enhance the value of Alonetime. One type of Buddhist practice emphasizes developing greater awareness of one’s surroundings. The goal is to live in the moment and not be preoccupied with reviewing past experiences or planning for the future. Ellen Langer has written about this type of mindfulness. I frequently encourage my clients to notice their surroundings while walking or taking breaks. They often report a recalibration of their experience.
One never needs to feel bored when taking breaks. The most extreme example of such practices are the vows of silence that often are available at monasteries or nunneries. The popular author of such books as Homo Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari, has written about his practice of going on silent retreats for 60 days each year to reset his thinking. Many mental health professionals advocate that people abstain from the use of their devices (e.g., smart phones) for periods of time. Clients often discover new insights about themselves when free of their devices.
These are just a few of the small adjustments one can make to promote Solitude and Alonetime. See if you can find others to incorporate into your daily routine. |
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Prescribing Privileges for Psychologists and the Use of Psychotropic Medications in Pain Management Terry L. Braciszewski, Ph.D., MSCP March 21st, 2025 | 12PM to 2PM |
This webinar has been approved by the University of Detroit Mercy, which is our partner in the offerings of Continuing Education activities.
Information will be presented regarding medications often prescribed to treat a broad spectrum of behavioral health issues including depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, neurocognitive disorders, ADHD, and sleep disorders. New medications that have recently been approved by the FDA will be included.
Pain management strategies and the use of psychotropic medications in pain management will be addressed. Specific medications will be reviewed as well as other medical procedures available to the patient.
Lastly, information regarding prescription privileges for psychologists will be discussed, including training and supervision. Several states allow appropriately trained, clinical psychopharmacologists to prescribe. Other states have legislation pending or being proposed.
Registration for this zoom webinar is open! Non-members pay $60 per person and Members pay $40 per person. Membership costs only $75 yearly.
Click here to become a member |
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| Terry L Braciszewski, Ph.D. MSCP Dr. Braciszewski completed his MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology (MSCP) and passed the APA Psychopharmacology Exam for Psychologists (PEP) in 2008. He completed his supervised clinical experience in psychopharmacology under a board certified physiatrist.
Dr. Braciszewski has clinical training and experience in rehabilitation psychology and neuropsychology. He has over 40 years of experience in assessment and treatment of neurologically challenged people and coordination of interdisciplinary teams. Currently, he provides service to the public through his practice, Momentum Rehab LLC. Since 2018, he has treated people at the Beaver Island Rural Health Clinic. In addition, he evaluates candidates pursuing religious vocations in the Michigan Catholic Dioceses of Lansing and Gaylord.
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Examining the Ethics and Roles of Psychologists During and Following Community-Wide Disasters
Crystal Cederna, PsyD. & Kenyetta Dotson, DMIN, MSW April 11th, 2025 | 12PM to 2PM
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This webinar has been approved by the University of Detroit Mercy, which is our partner in the offerings of Continuing Education activities.
This presentation will review the events surrounding the Flint Water Crisis (FWC), including what unfolded, the data and developmental impact of lead, and the community response. Thereafter, the presentation will shift to roles of psychologists during and after the FWC, with an emphasis on ethical challenges, roles, relevant skills, and the importance of community engaged practices. Given the impacts of global warming, civil unrest, and other forces, most attendees will face large-scale disaster in the future. Consequently, the presentation will wrap up by supporting attendees in identifying what psychologists can do now in preparation for the next unexpected, community-scale or larger disaster they will encounter.
Registration for this event is now open! Early Bird Pricing is available until 3/14 Non-members pay $60 per person and Members pay $40 per person. Membership costs only $75 yearly. Click here to become a member |
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| Crystal Cederna, PsyD.
Dr. Crystal Cederna is a doctoral level, fellowship trained Clinical Psychologist with 15 years of experience working with children and families while training pediatricians-to-be in child behavior, development, and psychiatric conditions. She's served over 4,000 families in settings spanning primary care through intensive care settings, with expertise in child behavior and development, parenting, and mental health. Dr. Cederna has presented over 55 national peer-reviewed presentations and has 12 peer reviewed publications on areas of subject matter expertise. Currently, Dr. Cederna is an Associate Professor in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health at Michigan State University who is doing the work needed to reduce mental health stigma, improve mental health literacy, and make mental health easier to access and accessible earlier.
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Kenyetta Dotson, DMIN, MSW
Dr. Kenyetta Dotson has demonstrated a long-term commitment to moving Flint forward by creating partnerships. She is a Master’s Level Social Worker with a Doctor of Theology in Black Church and African American Studies. She has over thirty years’ experience working in the field of community engagement and outreach, violence prevention, safety, and public health. Throughout this time, Kenyetta has researched violence as a public health issue. With a focus on providing access to the most needed services, the ability to satisfy their basic needs, and support from community-based organizations, she seeks to break systems and cycles of violence. As a life-long resident and advocate in the City of Flint, Kenyetta knows that when citizens live in safe communities, where neighbors help, support and look out for one another, the neighborhood is safer, healthier, and a more vibrant place to live. Kenyetta has devoted her life to strengthening families, community, and fostering a sense of hope. As a member of the academic community, Kenyetta has been able to apply her decades long work as a community advocate to further create community-academic partnerships. Kenyetta has served as the Director of Community Based Implementation and Engagement for the MSU-Pediatric Public Health Initiative (PPHI) in partnership with Dr. Mona Hanna for over six years helping MSU-PPHI become a valued and trusted partner among Flint residents and the community.
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We are lining up presenters and topics to fill out our webinar calendar through 2025. If you are a member of WPS and interested in presenting a topic to our community feel free to reach out to events@washtenawpsychologysociety.com. |
Donations are the Lifeblood WPS
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As members of our psychological community, we invite you to join us in sustaining the valuable work of WPS. As a lean organization, we face financial constraints that jeopardize our ability to maintain essential services. The costs of custom software and our dedicated part-time staff strain our resources. These fees also pay for our website, our searchable member directory, our two-hour lunch time webinars by experts in their specialties, occasional in-person networking meetings, and other services.
Your generous donations will not only help bridge this gap but also ensure the continuity of our mission. Together, let's continue to nurture this community of psychologists. We are grateful for your ongoing support and commitment to our shared vision. |
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Supporting Members: Geraldine Markel, Ph.D., Todd Favorite, Ph.D., Allan Newman.
Washtenaw Psychology Society is made possible by our donors and sponsors. If you would like to join our esteemed list of donors, visit our website www.washtenawpsychologysociety.com/donate |
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We have two locations., Ann Arbor and Novi. Most insurances are accepted. Contact Information Phone: 734-961-7196
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Email: neuropsychologypartners@neuropsychologyllc.com |
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