Adam Lotfi, PsyD
Faculty
Office phone: 248.476.1122, ext 116
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Lotfi joined the Michigan School of Psychology as a Core Faculty member in 2025. Dr. Lotfi completed both his MA and his doctoral training at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, and completed his APA-accredited internship at The University of Manitoba Student Counselling Centre in Winnipeg.
In the classroom, Dr. Lotfi enjoys facilitating students’ critical thinking and self-reflection through the use of classroom discussion and experiential learning exercises. Dr. Lotfi also values helping students apply theory to real-world practice, channeling his unique clinical experiences, which include work in schools (secondary and higher education), health care, and community mental health. Currently, Dr. Lotfi runs a remote private practice and contracts with an Employee Assistance Program, where he has the pleasure of serving clients all over the country (utilizing his Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology).
Education
- PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Illinois School of Professional Psychology
- MA in Clinical Psychology, Illinois School of Professional Psychology
- BA in Psychology, Bowling Green State University
Licensure
- Licensed Psychologist – Michigan
- Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology – PSYPACT
Areas of Expertise
- University Counseling
- Clinical Practice
- Relationships
- Crisis Intervention
- Identity Development
- Existential Concerns
- The Person-Centered Approach
- Supervision
Q&A
- What advice would you give to a student entering The Michigan School of Psychology?
“The fact is always obvious much too late, but the most singular difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a solid and joy a liquid.” – JD Salinger
My advice is that in your pursuit of happiness (e.g., your goal… the things you hope to take from this experience), you also attend to your joy (which I define as the things you choose to bring to this experience… the values you live out daily). The greatest gift you can give to not just yourself, but to others… is your own self-care. Be kind.
- What do you like most about teaching students at MSP?
Ultimately, it is the opportunity to help students figure out their “why”, who they want to be personally and professionally, and the impact they want to make on their world that drew me to this role. The idea of helping people who are hungry to learn and develop is what excites me.
- Describe your clinical philosophy.
When a person is in distress, it often feels like they are sitting at the bottom of a deep, dark well. While many therapists will try to toss their client a rope and attempt to pull them out, my philosophy is to instead climb in the well and sit alongside them in their experience. I feel honored when allowed to explore those areas that shame, hurt, and trauma say are “off limits”.
My teaching, clinical, and life philosophies are the same. I believe that given a relationship that provides facilitative conditions for growth (empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authentic connection), people will inherently transform, heal, and reach their goals. “Client-Centered Therapy” eventually evolved into the “Person Centered Approach” as a way to communicate that the core conditions are not interventions or things you do. They are a way of being. Thus, my aspiration is to be relational and transparent in all walks of life.
