Fostering the business interests and professional development of the psychology community. |
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Corrected June 2025 Newsletter |
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Member Spotlight - Donald Zaksek Psy.D., LP. |
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Don’s path to psychology wasn’t a straight line, it was one led by a passion for working with people and a deep interest in interpersonal connection. Initially drawn to careers in physical therapy and even culinary arts, Don found that it was the human-centered aspects of those fields that truly captivated him. This realization ultimately led him to pursue a career in psychology during his time at Michigan State University, followed by graduate studies at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.
A pivotal chapter in Don’s professional journey came when he joined the Air Force during the height of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Though not originally intending to become a military psychologist, the opportunity allowed him to gain advanced training at Andrews Air Force Base and serve in high-intensity environments. From PTSD and substance use disorders to suicide prevention and trauma, these early experiences shaped his clinical lens and built his confidence through what he describes as a “baptism by fire.”
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Now based in Michigan, Don leads Integrative Psychology of Ann Arbor, where he works with a talented team of therapists serving the local community. His personal interest has evolved to focus especially on men’s mental health, drawing on his background with high-stress populations like military personnel, police officers, medical professionals, and athletes. He has become a trusted resource for many men navigating high-performance and emotionally complex roles.
Beyond his clinical work, Don is currently working on a book about men’s issues, exploring how to support men's emotional well-being without undermining the progress and empowerment of other groups. His vision is rooted in the idea of lifting the community as a whole, advocating for a version of masculinity that is emotionally healthy, self-aware, and supportive of others.
Outside of work, Don is a dedicated family man with two sons, ages 14 and 17. Much of his time is spent juggling family activities, supporting his kids’ interests in music and sports, and running alongside his childhood best friend. Writing has become a new and exciting passion, bringing back the same energy he felt when launching his clinic. Don also values travel as a way to broaden perspective, both for himself and his children, and sees it as essential to developing cultural awareness and empathy.
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Practical Tips for Therapeutic Change Dr. Larry Perlman |
Tips for Promoting Wellness
Many people have busy, work-oriented lives with few opportunities to wind down. Here are some tips for incorporating rejuvenating breaks into your daily routines.
These procedures can be implemented rather easily. I have found them helpful for people who are driven to succeed and suffering from overworry and catastrophic thinking (e.g., Generalized Anxiety Disorder and related conditions).
Take breaks from your work activities every hour or two. These can be 10-15 minutes long. They provide opportunities to “reboot” and return to your work with a fresh perspective.
For those people who don’t permit themselves full breaks or have appointments scheduled one after another, try brief breaks combined with light exposure (e.g., a short walk outside or even looking out a window) to get in touch with the outside world.
Ideally, you should take walks outdoors in an area with natural surroundings—e.g., parks, wooded areas, bodies of water. You should remove headsets to allow all of your senses to be stimulated. The goal is to shut off your busy mind, even for short intervals.
Such breaks provide opportunities to focus on the felt experience of being in the moment. These breaks can be effective even if lasting only a few minutes. I have instructed people to move into a quiet area of their work environment, such as a darkened room or to another area of the building that has a view of the outside. Many people report remarkable changes in outlook and are surprised to find themselves more focused and productive following these breaks. However, it often requires an initial effort to implement this new orientation, particularly if you are accustomed to marathon work sessions. |
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WPS offers cost-effective advertising placements on our website and in our monthly newsletter. Reach our email list of over 7000 psychologists in Michigan. Have greater impact with effective monthly repeat impressions! -
1-2 months is $35 per month for members, $40 per month for non-members.
- 3-5 months are $30 per month for members, $35 per month for non-members.
- 6+ months are $25 per month for members, $30 per month for non-members.
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Special placement sponsored slots are also available. Pricing negotiable; contact us for more information.
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An Introduction to the Use of Virtual Reality for Enhancing Psychotherapy Outcomes
Margo Adams Larsen, Ph.D. July 11th, 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.
This live 2-hour interactive course will focus on an introduction to virtual reality (VR) within the psychology office setting. This course will cover an overview of virtual reality technology, connections to exposure-based theory and interventions, concepts of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) and historical developments, the research behind one system’s development, and then ethical and clinical considerations for use in practice. The session will be interactive with welcomed engagement and time for questions.
Registration for this event is now open! $5 Early-Bird discount is available until 6/27.
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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| Margo Adams Larsen, PhD
Margo Adams Larsen, Ph.D. received her master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from Western Michigan University and her undergraduate degrees from the University of North Dakota. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Children’s Hospital, Inc., Columbus, now Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
After graduate training, Dr. Adams Larsen completed her postdoctoral psychology residency in full-time practice in Grand Forks, ND. She was first licensed as a psychologist in North Dakota in 2000. She's held positions in the Department of Psychology and the University of North Dakota, and as a clinical research associate at the Center for Health Promotion & Prevention Research at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. While holding these positions, she continued to practice part-time.
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Dr. Adams Larsen currently maintains a small pediatric psychology practice, implementing evidence-based techniques to address anxiety, depression, and general behavioral concerns. This practice has transitioned to primarily telehealth over the past five years. Dr. Adams Larsen is licensed to practice psychology in North Dakota and Utah. |
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Upcoming Fall Events – No Webinar in August 2025 -
Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for Adolescents with Eating Disorders: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and Why It Matters – Jessica L Van Huysse, PhD | September 5th, 2025
- Men's Sexual Health – Doug Carpenter, Psy.D. | Fall 2025
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Treatment of Migraine & Chronic Pain – Drew Sturgeon, Ph.D. | Fall 2025
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Donations are the Lifeblood of 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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Schedule a consultation today at www.neuror.com/consultation. |
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Professional Photographic Services
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Stefan Petrmichl of Ashtewan.com
is a Southeast Michigan photographer who specializes in capturing authentic moments and emotion. He is offering professional headshots, event photography, family photography and more. He is highly resourceful and eager to deliver high-quality images. Click the button below to learn more or contact Stefan. |
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