Fostering the business interests and professional development of the psychology community. |
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WPS Updates: We are now welcoming Social Workers |
Social workers have similar Continuing Education requirements for biennial relicensing as psychologists do. This includes 2 credits of pain management and 3 credits of ethics. Social workers have always been welcome to attend our webinars. For the first time, WPS is inviting them to become members. To learn more about the benefits of membership, click this link: https://washtenawpsychologysociety.com/membership.php |
Member Spotlight: Seth Gilbert, MSW |
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Seth Gilbert is a licensed clinical social worker with a fully virtual private practice based in Ann Arbor, MI. Originally from Oak Park, IL, his path to therapy started with a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Seth then moved to Chicago where he worked as a mental health counselor for a therapeutic day school owned and operated by Rush University Medical Center. After spending two school years with the students and staff, which included special education teachers, registered nurses, clinical social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists, he decided to pursue a degree in social work.
Seth earned an MSW from the University of Michigan, with an internship through Michigan Medicine’s Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Department. He then completed a two-year post-MSW fellowship at the Mary A. Rackham Institute, where he began broadening his clinical scope to include adult clients, couples, and group therapy. By April 2026, Seth had completed his fellowship, earned full licensure, and started his private practice focused on helping adults with anxiety and/or OCD, as well as couples therapy.
In his free time, Seth enjoys reading, watching movies/TV shows, baking, putting together DIY craft kits, and taking long walks with his wife and dog. |
New Administrative Assistant: Akasha Ford |
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We are pleased to welcome Akasha Ford to WPS's team. She has hit the ground running this past month and is already performing well. We look forward to continue working together. Here is her Bio: |
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Akasha Ford is a senior Psychology and Spanish B.A. student at the University of Michigan. She spent the previous semester abroad in Madrid, Spain, interning for a childhood mental health and educational-behavioral psychology clinic, and is now returning to Ann Arbor to begin work on her honors thesis. At school, she works with the Social Minds Lab (PI: Dr. Felix Warneken), working to formulate a cognitive model of children’s perceptions of effort, thoughtfulness, and relationships in gift-giving. She is also in the Psi Chi Honor Society, on the executive boards for a fitness social-educational club and a student organization that fundraises to provide online education to Mott’s Children’s Hospital.
Off-campus, Akasha works at a cafe, a gym, and has spent multiple years as a student teacher and early childhood caregiver. She is originally from Madison, WI, and loves spending time outside, painting, and reading in her free time. |
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The Human Animal Bond and Ethical Considerations of Emotional Support Animal Evaluations
Helen Kahn, Ph.D. May 29th, 2026 | 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM |
This webinar has been approved by the University of Detroit Mercy, an institution regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is our partner in the offerings of Continuing Education activities.
As a psychologist/mental health professional have you been asked to assess and certify an emotional-support animal (ESA) by a client? If you have ever considered whether you might do this, you may have questions on whether such an assessment is billable, and if there are associated liabilities. In addition, there is considerable confusion among mental health professionals on whether we may be considered fully competent to fulfill such a request. This webinar will first explain the research over the past two decades in Human-Animal Bond. The presentation will then turn to differences among 1) a service animal; 2) a therapy animal; and 3) an emotional support animal including how the U.S. federal regulations such as the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA) pertain to service animals vs. therapy animals vs. emotional support animals. Dr. Kahn will explain how she developed the ESA protocol to assess the mental health of the client, the human-animal bond, and the welfare of proposed ESA animal.
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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| Helen J. Kahn, Ph.D., LP
Dr. Helen Kahn is a licensed psychologist and clinical supervisor with Clarity Behavioral Health and Assessments in Marquette, Michigan. She meets with adult clients , 18 years and old, with anxiety and mood disorders in individual psychotherapy sessions. Her speciality includes Emotional Support Animal Evaluations in which she engages in an
interactive process of psychological evaluation of the human with an assessment of the human-animal bond.
Dr. Kahn received her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of North Dakota in 1989. She then completed postdoctoral fellowships funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health and The Health C ouncil of Québec (Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS) in Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition at the Université de Montréal.
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She then transitioned to her university career as a professor at the University of Vermont and Northern Michigan University. Following ten years of research in animal-assisted therapy Dr. Kahn was the founder of Sasawin Safe Haven a program with the Women's Center of Marquette. Sasawin Safe Haven provides safe housing for companion animals, and veterinary care for survivors whose animals are caught up in the cycle of violence with their humans. Dr. Kahn was licensed in psychology in Michigan in 2009 after completing a post-doctoral clinical specialization program. Dr. Kahn retired from Northern Michigan University in 2019, and has continued her psychology practice at Clarity Behavioral Health Assessment Center.
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| Rachael Nelson, M.S., LLP Rachael Nelson is a Limited Licensed Psychologist and the owner of Clarity Behavioral Health and Assessment Center. She brings a strong interdisciplinary background, combining expertise in biological and psychological sciences.
Rachael earned her Master’s degree in Biology from Northern Michigan University in 2020 and a second Master’s degree in Psychology in 2022. Her academic work emphasized genetics, microbiology and neurobiology, focusing on the genetic components of ADHD.
In addition to her clinical work, Rachael integrates animal-assisted interventions into her |
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practice. She is partnered with her therapy dog, Hugo, a Bracco Italiano, with whom she is a certified therapy team through Pet Partners. Hugo began obedience training at eight weeks old, progressed to specialized therapy training between six months and one year, and was certified at one year of age. Together, they volunteer at Northern Michigan University through Wildpups, providing emotional support and stress relief to college students. Hugo has also supported select clinical cases through gradual exposure work. Outside of her professional work, Rachael is a dedicated dog owner to three dogs: Hank and Hoss, both beagles, and Hugo.
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Practical Suggestions for Managing Chronic Pain
John Sturgeon, Ph.D.
June 26th, 2026 | 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM |
This webinar has been approved by the University of Detroit Mercy, an institution regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is our partner in the offerings of Continuing Education activities.
This course will focus on practical ways of adapting clinician training and experience in evidence-based therapies (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapies, acceptance and commitment therapy) for use in adults with chronic pain. Additional time will be spent introducing attendees to novel behavioral interventions for chronicnociplastic pain (Pain Reprocessing Therapy, Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy) and how these principles may start to be incorporated into live clinical care. The presentation will include case vignettes for case conceptualization and opportunities to explore differential conceptualizations and treatment planning across different psychotherapeutic paradigms.
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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John (Drew) Sturgeon is a clinical psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan School of Medicine. He completed his PhD in clinical psychology at Arizona State University and his postdoctoral training in pain psychology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. His areas of research include contributors to individual resilience in chronic pain and novel behavioral treatments for chronic pain. He has research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and Craig H. Neilsen Foundation on brief and telehealth treatments for chronic low back pain, chronic migraine, and spinal cord injury-related pain.
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Purpose Built Space for Lease for Therapy & Professional Use |
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Position your practice in one of Ann Arbor’s most desirable and highly recognizable professional corridors. Located at 444 South Main Street, this well-maintained office building offers an exceptional opportunity for psychologists, therapists, social workers, and other professional service providers seeking a thoughtfully designed and welcoming environment for both clients and staff. Tenants appreciate the building’s boutique scale, which fosters a quiet and professional environment compared to larger, more impersonal office properties. The layout is particularly well-suited for individual practitioners or small group practices.
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The property combines the charm and character of Ann Arbor’s historic downtown with the functionality and efficiency required by modern professional users. The interior layout has been carefully configured to support counseling and clinical uses, featuring multiple private offices designed for confidentiality and comfort. Sound attenuation between rooms enhances privacy, while warm finishes and natural light contribute to a calm, professional atmosphere ideal for patient-facing practices. Shared spaces are thoughtfully arranged to create a seamless experience, including comfortable and private waiting areas and kitchenette space. Situated just steps from the vibrant Main Street district, the building benefits from immediate access to an abundance of restaurants, cafés, retail amenities, and public transportation, creating a highly convenient and attractive setting for clients and employees alike. Additional features include convenient on-site or nearby parking options, well-maintained common areas, and strong visibility along South Main Street—one of Ann Arbor’s primary north-south corridors. The property’s central location also provides quick access to the University of Michigan campus, surrounding residential neighborhoods, and major commuter routes, making it an ideal location for practitioners drawing clients from across town. This is a rare opportunity to lease space in a highly sought-after downtown location with a proven track record as a hub for mental health and professional services. Whether you are establishing a new practice or expanding an existing one, 444 South Main Street offers a turnkey environment designed to support productivity, privacy, and client comfort.
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ADOS‑2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition) kit containing the full set of manipulatives and stimulus materials needed to administer Modules 1–4, along with Toddler Module protocol forms. All items are in excellent functional condition and appropriate for clinical use. The kit includes the standardized toys, picture books, response materials, and activity items required for structured observation across developmental levels. Materials have been stored in a clean, smoke‑free, professional environment.This is ideal for clinicians who already own the ADOS‑2 manual and scoring resources and simply need a replacement or supplemental kit. Condition: Gently used, well‑maintained clinical materials Included:
• ADOS‑2 stimulus materials for Modules 1–4
• Toddler Module protocol forms
• All standard manipulatives and visual materials required for administration
• Original case/organizer (if applicable)
Not Included:
• ADOS‑2 Manual
• Scoring CD / software
• Any copyrighted scoring or administration materials beyond the physical kit components listed above
$1,800 for the kit |
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