Ayanna Abrams, Psy.D.
1549 Clairmont Rd., Suite 108---Decatur, GA 30033 Ph: (732) 722-6413---E: [email protected]
LICENSURE & CERTIFICATION
________________________________________________________________________ Licensed Psychologist - #PSY003613 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., Licensed Psychologist, 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.
Emory University Student Counseling Center
American Psychological Association (APA) Accredited Predoctoral Internship, 2011 Pamela Epps, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, 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, 2012 - 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, 2012 – 2014 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, 2012 – 2014 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
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, 2008 – 2010
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, 2009 – 2010
Advanced Extern
Mary Grigar, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, 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., 2008 – 2009 Therapy Extern
Drew McLeod, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, 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, 2007 – 2008 Diagnostic Extern
Grant White, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist, 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.
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 60-90 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, 2007 - 2008 Research Assistant
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, 2005 – 2006 Research Assistant
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, 2005 – 2006
Research Assistant
Meta-analyzed research interventions on Mental Retardation in child populations. Syracuse University Department of Psychology, 2004
Research Assistant
Implemented reading interventions with elementary school children in school settings. SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS & MEDIA APPEARANCES
___________________________________________________________________ _____
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
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), 2007 – 2010
Executive Board Member and Student Representative Co-Chair The Chicago School Student Association (CSSA), 2007 – 2008 Secretary/Historian
COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
________________________________________________________________________ Multicultural Mentoring Program, 2006-2008
BeHIV – Better Existence with HIV, 2006-2008 Black Celebrity Giving, 2015 - 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.
Licensed Psychologist Assistant Professor
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology 325 N. Wells St. Chicago, IL 60654 [email protected] 312.329.6681 Pamela Epps, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist
Associate Director for Training Emory University Counseling Center 1462 Clifton Rd., Suite 235
Atlanta, GA 30322 [email protected] 404.727.7450
Faughn Adams, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist
Emory University Counseling Center 1462 Clifton Rd., Suite 235 Atlanta GA, 30322 [email protected] 404.727.7450 Marilyn Hazzard-Lineberger, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist
Emory University Faculty Staff Assistance Program 1762 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30322 [email protected] 404.727.3428
