Dustin Shepler, PhD

Dustin Shepler, PhD

Director of Clinical Training/Core Faculty

Office phone: 248.476.1122, ext. 123
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Shepler joined the Michigan School of Psychology as a Core Faculty member in 2012. Dr. Shepler completed his doctoral training at Ball State University and completed his APA-accredited internship at The University of North Carolina – Charlotte, Counseling Center.  He has also completed post-graduate training in sex therapy at the University of Michigan and is an AASECT-certified sex therapist. As the Director of Clinical Training, Dr. Shepler values working with students to obtain relevant and meaningful clinical training opportunities.  In the classroom, Dr. Shepler enjoys helping students to understand the link between research and practice and views developing research skills as an important aspect of graduate training.  He frequently collaborates with students to conduct research in his areas of specialization. His work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals and has been presented at various national and regional conferences. He also enjoys working with teens and adults presenting with concerns related to sexual or gender identity at his private practice in Sterling Heights, MI.

Education

• PhD in Counseling Psychology, Cognate in Social Psychology, Ball State University
• MA in Social Psychology & Counseling, Ball State University
• BA in Psychology and Sociology, The University of Findlay
• Graduate Certificate in Sex Therapy, University of Michigan
• Graduate Certificate in Institutional Research, Ball State University

Licensure

• Licensed Psychologist – Michigan

Areas of Expertise

• Sexual Identity Development
• LGBT Affirmative Therapy
• Sex Therapy
• Emerging Adulthood
• Psychological Assessment & Evaluation

Selected Publications

Shepler, D. K., & Callan, P. D. (2022). Differences in executive functioning between adults with ADHD and those diagnosed with other psychiatric diagnoses: Utility of the CTMT and the WAIS-IV. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult. doi: 10.1080/23279095.2022.2102923 

Justin, K. J., Shepler, D. K., & Kinel, J. R. (2022). She’s just not that into me: Sexual self-concept among heterosexual men who identify as involuntary celibates. Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences, 16(1), 117-133. doi: 10.5590/JSBHS.2022.16.1.09 

Shepler, D. K., Glaros, M. R., & Boot, J. W. (2021). Minority stress and relationship satisfaction among gay and bisexual men. Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research, 26(3), 296-306. doi: 10.24839/2325-7342.JN26.3.296

Callan, P. D., Shepler, D. K., Justice, M., D., & Oliver, C. E. (2020). Correlates of sluggish cognitive tempo among clinic referred youth: Expanding awareness of somatic symptoms and stress in the clinical picture. Journal of Pediatric Neuropsychology, Online First doi: 10.1007/s40817-020-00083-6

Shepler, D. K., Smendik, J. M., Cusik, K., M., & Tucker, D. R. (2018). Predictors of sexual satisfaction for partnered lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 5(1). 25-35. doi: 10.1037/sgd0000252

Shepler, D. K., Johnson, K. P., & Ho, M. A. (2017). Exploring sexual self-concept in a community-based sample of LGB and heterosexual adults. Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research, 22, 98-105. doi: 10.24839/2325-7342.JN22.2.98

Bober, C., Suing, K., & Shepler, D. (2016). Correlates of satisfaction with life for people who identify as transgender and sexual minority. Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Science, 10(1), 93-111. doi: 10.5590/JSBHS.2016.10.1.10

Shepler, D. K., & Perrone-McGovern, K. (2016). Differences in psychological distress and esteem based on sexual identity development. College Student Journal, 50(4), 579-589.

Shepler, D. K., Ho, M. A., Zoma, P. N., Bober, C. C., & Dluzynski, J. L. (2016). Perceptions of the therapist in a virtual world: An exploratory analog study. The Humanistic Psychologist, 44(2), 164-176.

Selected Presentations

Shepler, D., Lee, S., & Bernardo, C. (2023, August). Participation in Stop Asian Hate events: Motivation and meaning making. Poster presented at the 130th annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington DC.

Shepler, D. K., Callan, P. D., Kadrich, M. R., Kowalski, K. M., & Medina, E. E. (2022, August). Diagnosing ADHD across the lifespan: Analysis of clinically derived CPT3 data. Poster presented at the 130th annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Milwaukee, WI.

Rawat, A., & Shepler, D. (Accepted for 2021, April). Agency, not sexual script deviation, predicts sexual satisfaction and anxiety. Poster presented at the 93^rd Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Shepler, D., Callan, P., Corbin, C., Justice, M., Oliver, C., & Johnson, K. (2019, April). Differences in executive functioning between adults with and without ADHD. Poster presented at the 91^st Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Shepler, D., Glaros, M., & Boot, J. (2019, April). LGB identity constructs predict relationship satisfaction and outness to family. Poster presented at the 91^st Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Shepler, D., DePorter, J., & Glaros, M. (2019, April). Satisfaction with life: The significance of LGB identity acceptance. Poster presented at the 91^st Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Shepler, D. K., Cusick, K., & Tucker, D. (2017, August). Predictors of sexual satisfaction for partnered LGB people. Poster presented at the 124th annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington DC.

Shepler, D. K., Width, A.A., Johnson, K. P., & Zoma, P. N. (2017, April). Comparisons of desired loving behaviors across sexual identity and gender. Poster presented at the 89th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Shepler, D., Smendik, J., & Suing, K. (2017, April). Exploration of sexual anxiety, dysfunction, and satisfaction for LGB people. Poster presented at the 89th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Community Involvement

• Private Practice

Professional Memberships

• American Psychological Association
  • Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology)
  • Division 17 Section on LGBT Issues
  • Division 44 (Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues)
• American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists
• Midwestern Psychological Association
• National Register of Health Service Psychologists

Q&A

• Please describe your teaching philosophy.

Students are able to learn, grow, and rise to meet high expectations when they are provided with mentorship, support, and access to a strong academic community. I believe students should be provided with opportunities to develop the full range of skills required of a professional psychologist and work to incorporate opportunities to develop a range of skills in the courses I teach. I believe integrating examples from my clinical work and approaching complex material with humor allows for deep learning in a relaxed and relatable atmosphere.

• Please provide a statement or philosophy regarding the practice of psychology

Good psychological practice starts with good relationships and the ability to incorporate understanding of psychological principles in clinical work. At MSP, I believe we provide psychologists-in-training with instruction of theory and therapeutic relationships that allows them to provide culturally responsive interventions.

• What advice would you give to a student entering the Michigan School of Psychology?

Be open to growing personally and professionally, dedicate yourself to your own development, trust the process, and build a strong support system within and outside of the MSP community.