Robert J. Fabiano Ph.D.
Executive Director
Licensed Psychologist
Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University
Dr. Robert Fabiano functions as Executive Director of PAR and is a Licensed Psychologist who conducts psychological and neuropsychological evaluations for clients with a variety of cognitive, psychiatric, and neurobehavioral disorders. He serves as a consulting neuropsychologist with Sparrow Hospital and Ingham Medical Center and has been an Adjunct Professor with Michigan State University since 1991. Dr. Fabiano has published numerous scientific articles in areas of neuropsychology and traumatic brain injury as well as lectured extensively in areas of neuro-rehabilitation, neuropsychology, and vocational assessment.
Zulfiqar Ahmed M.D.
Psychiatrist
Dr. Ahmed attended the most prestigious medical school in Pakistan, King Edward Medical University, and graduated in 1988. In 1994, he received his Masters in Public Health Degree from University of Alabama at Birmingham. He completed his residency training in psychiatry at the University of Tennessee in 2003 and is a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology. Dr. Ahmed has admitting privileges at Memorial Healthcare Hospital in Owosso. His special area of interest is in the treatment and diagnosis of mood disorders.
Michael E. Barnes D.O.
Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, Board Certified
Stephanie Commings M.D.
Psychiatrist
Dr. Commings graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Women's Studies in 1997. She received her Medical Degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in 2002. Dr. Commings completed her psychiatry residency with MSU in 2008. She is Board Eligible in the field of Adult Psychiatry. Her professional interests include mood, anxiety and thought disorders, women's health across the lifespan, and pregnancy and post-partum issues.
Marla J. Warren M.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Christine Durrett Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Christine Durrett earned her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. At PAR, she conducts psychological and neuropsychological evaluations as well as psychotherapy with adolescents and adults. Her assessment specialities include dementias and psychiatric disorders, and her therapeutic specialties include anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and self-harm. She is trained in Dialetical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Dr. Durrett is also active in psychological research and has published a number of scientific articles.
Nicole L. Gilbertson Psy.D
Doctoral Education Limited License
Dr. Gilbertson earned her doctorate of Clinical Psychology from George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. She completed her residency training with the Chicago Area Christian Training Consortium. She has previous experience working with all age ranges with varying mental health needs. At PAR, Dr. Gilbertson conducts psychological evaluations and provides psychotherapy primarily for children, adolescents, and their families. Her clinical specialties include behavior disorders in children, Autism Spectrum Disorders, eating disorders, grief issues in childhood, and treatment for childhood abuse. Dr. Gilbertson uses empirically validated treatment approaches with clinical creativity to tailor interventions to engage individuals in a meaningful way. Her desire is to work with children and their families to identify specific goals for treatment; empower parents through psychoeducation and support; and to implement effective interventions which will empower individuals to reach their full potential.
Debra Macarty Ph.D.
Psychologist
Adjunct Professor at Mott Community College
Matthew Miller Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Miller received his B.S. in Psychology and Business Administration from Grace College. He received both his M.A. in Counseling and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University. In addtion to working at PAR since 2006, Dr. Miller works in a college counseling center. Dr. Miller has performed industrial/organizational counsulations in the retail industry; he also served as a Captain in the United States Air Force, directing mental health operations at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, OK. He has accrued teaching experience at Louisiana Tech University, Michigan State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and Grace College. To date, Dr. Miller has co-produced four publications in peer-reviewed professional journals.
Micheal Shafer Ph.D
Psychologist
Dr. Shafer was born in Columbus, GA and raised in Seattle, WA. After receiving his B.A. in psychology from Seattle University, he moved to Guam where he provided hospital-based counseling services for approximately a year. After returning to the U.S., he received his M.A. in applied psychology from the University of Baltimore and conducted research at the University of Maryland Medical School, focusing on the provision of school-based mental health services to children. In 2008, Dr. Shafer received a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas. He participated in several research projects (ultimately published or presented at national conferences); a paper he co-authored on the evaluation of a self-concept instrument was acknowledged with the 2002 APA Alfred B. Newmann Award. While completing his Ph.D., Dr. Shafer developed a strong interest in the field of clinical neuropsychology and brain-behavior relationships. Today, his primary research/clinical interests include the assessment of neuropsychological disorders in children and adults (e.g., stroke, TBI, Alzheimer’s) and the study of localized brain functioning.
John Sougstad Ph.D.
Psychologist
MSW, EdS & PhD Candidate
John is a Licensed Masters Social Worker in Clinical Practice, a Certified School Psychologist and is accumulating hours under Dr. Fabiano’s supervision toward psychology licensure in a health care setting. John conducts psychological and neuropsychological evaluations and provides psychotherapeutic interventions at PAR. John holds an M.S.W. degree with clinical concentration and has specialization in school psychology, having completed an Ed.S. degree, and plans on defending his doctoral dissertation in spring 2010. For over 15 years at Michigan State University School of Social Work John has coordinated a program and taught graduate courses having to do with evidence-based assessment and intervention with youth in school settings. Out of 250 blindly reviewed student presentations John’s doctoral research was 1 of 3 recognized for outstanding scholarship by Division 16: School Psychology at the 2008 American Psychological Convention. John’s ongoing research and practice interests converge on enhancing community, school, family, and youth capacities to overcome social, emotional and learning barriers associated with behavioral problems and neuropsychological disorders including ADHD, Autism Spectrum, Learning and Mood Disorders.
Vicki Hawkins LMSW, ACSW
Social Worker
Clinical Case Manager
Vicki Hawkins has been serving individuals and families in psychiatric, medical and rehabilitation social work since 1993. She has been at PAR Rehab services since 1999 working as a clinical therapist/case manager and specializes with adjustment issues including coping with trauma and automobile accidents. She also has extensive experience in working with people who have struggled with depression, anxiety, marital and parenting issues.
Todd Westfall M.A., CRC, LPC
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Supervisor of Evaluations
Todd has been employed at PAR since 2000. He began administering neuropsychological & psychological assessments while working to complete graduate school in Rehabilitation Counseling at Michigan State University. He is currently the supervisor of evaluation services as well as a psychotherapist, dividing his time between the two responsibilities. His experience applies to a wide range of individuals varying in age, disability, and/or mental health disorder. He has extensive experience with helping children & adults with ADHD, Oppositional
Defiant Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorders, & family/relationship
issues.
Deborah J. Weathers M.A., LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Credentialing Coordinator
Deborah earned her M.A. in Counseling from Spring Arbor University in 2005. She conducts psychotherapy with adults and children of all ages. Deborah works with individuals and families, covering a wide variety of mental health issues. She is also the credentialing coordinator for PAR providers.
Jennifer Novello LMSW, ACSW
Social Worker
Jennifer Novello earned a M.A. in social work from the University of Michigan in 1995 and has been a practicing clinical social worker for 15 years. She specializes in work with children, adolescents and their families. She has extensive experience working with those dealing with ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, depression, anxiety, and adjustment to life transitions. She also has a history of providing substance abuse assessment and treatment services for pregnant and newly delivered women, providing services to children and families involved with Child Protective Services, and facilitating stress management, parenting and pre-marital seminars. Jennifer’s goal is to provide support and assistance to individuals as they grow, so that they may successfully reach their goals and fulfill their life potential.
Greg Schma LMSW, ACSW
Social Worker
Ashita Ghelani LMSW, LLP
Limited Licenced Psychologist
Social Worker
Ashita completed her M.A. in Clinical Behavioral Psychology at Eastern Michigan University. She has worked at PAR as a cognitive-behavioral therapist with children and adults since 2004. She specializes in issues of ADHD, ODD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse and also has experience in the area of rehabilitation counseling, addressing traumatic brain injuries and pain management. She co-leads parent training workshops at PAR, teaching strategies to parents of children with behavioral and psychological concerns. Ashita also conducts psychological and neuropsychological evaluations. Her fluency in Hindi and Gujarati
broadens her ability to counsel culturally-diverse clients.
Marci Cyphers M.A., LLPC
Limited Licensed Professional Counselor
Psychometrician
Marci earned her M.A. in Counseling from Spring Arbor University. Her undergraduate work at Albion College included degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Comparative Religion. At PAR, Marci supervises the administration of assessments, serves as an assistant to Dr. Barnes, and conducts psychotherapy as well as psychological and neuropsychological assessments. She works with clients of all ages with the goal of helping them discover or restore their full life potential, whether the concern is ADHD, depression, anxiety, brain injury, etc.
Vivian Rodriguez M.A., TLLP
Temporary Limited Licensed Psychologist
Psychometrician
Vivian began her studies at Universidad Rafael Landívar, Guatemala City, where she studied Clinical Psychology for 3 years before transferring to Michigan State University for the completion of her B.A. in Psychology. She attended Western Michigan University where she graduated with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. At PAR, Vivian conducts psychological and neuropsychological assessments. Vivian is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
Es para mí un gusto poder también ofrecerles mis servicios en español.
Kelli Smith B.A.
Psychometrician
Administrative Assistant
Kelli conducts psychological and neuropsychological evaluations for a supervising psychologist. Other responsibilities include reception, answering the main phone line, and miscellaneous office duties.
Misty Kooienga B.A.
Office Manager
Misty has been with PAR since February 2007 when she began as an administrative assistant. Her main duties now include handling office management and organization, assisting in insurance claims processing through an external billing company, and working with clients to resolve their billing issues. Misty has a B.A. from Michigan State University in Political Science.
Brooke Pierce
Supervisor of Administrative Staff
Administrative Assistant
Brooke has been employed at PAR since March 2008 and supervises the administrative staff. She works as administrative assistant with her main responsibilities pertaining to psychological and neuropsychological evaluations. She also handles scheduling (i.e., depositions, testing, etc.), mail correspondence from office to clients, front reception, and supply inventory.
Shelley Sands CMA
Certified Medical Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Shelley has been employed at PAR since January 2007. She works as medical assistant and administrative assistant, handling all medical and scheduling responsibilities for the office psychiatrists. She also schedules therapy appointments, corresponds with insurance companies, and collects payments.
Kim Cooney
Administrative Assistant
Kim has been employed at PAR since October 2007 as administrative assistant and records custodian (completes all records requests). Other responsibilities include reception, answering the main phone line, and miscellaneous office duties.