Jim Maher, PhD

Clinic Director

Office phone: 248.919.0063, ext. 201
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Maher joined the Michigan School of Psychology in August 2019 and helped create the new Psychology Training Clinic. He previously worked in Detroit area hospitals on psychiatric inpatient units and was at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital for 24 years. While there he was Lead Clinician for Behavioral Services, conducted daily individual and group psychotherapy, and directed the training of psychology students in both internship and practicum. Dr. Maher also served as an Adjunct Professor and Supervisor at the University of Detroit Mercy for 15 years, teaching a variety of courses including Group Therapy and Psychology in a Hospital Setting.

Education

• PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of Detroit
• MA in Clinical Psychology, University of Detroit
• BS in Psychology and Religious Studies, University of Detroit

Licensure

• Licensed Psychologist – Michigan

Areas of Expertise

• Individual and group psychotherapy
• Geriatric psychology and treatment
• Ethics in health care

Selected Presentations

Maher, J. (2019, January). Fetal cord blood transplantation and psychological factors. Presented at Arizona Cord Blood Conference, Tempe, Arizona.

Deighton, K., & Maher, J. (2016, September). ​Integrating behavioral health care focusing on suicide prevention: A public health crisis. Presented at Michigan Association for Healthcare Quality Annual Conference, Plymouth, Michigan.

Maher, J. (2015). What families can do. Presented at Mental Health Care Symposium at Wayne County Community College- Downriver Campus, Taylor, Michigan.

Maher, J. (2012). Voluntary and involuntary treatment of the mentally ill. Presented to Department of Emergency Medicine Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, Wyandotte, Michigan.

Professional Memberships

• American Psychological Association
• National Register of Health Care Providers in Psychology

Q&A

• Describe your clinical philosophy.
  

I believe that individuals receiving clinical treatment want relief from their suffering. Therapy can offer answers as to what factors contribute to their symptoms and what things can help them understand and change the conditions that have been troubling to them. Most importantly, I believe that therapy can leave individuals with the feeling that they are not alone and can have hope about the future.

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

Use this opportunity to explore psychology and decide what role will be best for you as you become a psychologist. In addition to the various obligations that exist in a graduate program, this should be a time of creativity, in which someone considers what path to follow in the field. Often, a person’s original goals are modified once there are new ideas and training experiences to be examined and completed.

• Please describe your teaching philosophy.

Consistent with my previous answer, I believe in the importance of having an opportunity for a student to be creative in addition to learning about theory and practice. Thoughtful consideration about the nature of the personality and how best to understand and treat oneself and others is critical as one learns about psychology. I believe it is important to create a teaching atmosphere in which this creativity and thoughtful consideration can flourish.