Courtney Cabell, PsyD

Courtney Cabell, PsyD

Faculty

Office phone: 248.476.1122, ext. 113
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Cabell joined the Michigan School of Psychology as a Core Faculty member in 2025. Dr. Cabell completed her doctoral training at the Michigan School of Psychology and completed her APA-accredited internship at the Mary A. Rackham Institute – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Her clinical, teaching, and research interests center on the intersections of culture, identity, and trauma, with a particular emphasis on culturally grounded, community-centered approaches to healing. Dr. Cabell’s integrated humanistic and Black feminist lens is emphasized in her teaching and mentorship. As a Doctoral Limited Licensed Psychologist (DLLP) and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Dr. Cabell has extensive experience providing individual and group therapy, conducting psychological assessments, and developing programs that bridge the gap between social justice and mental health.

In addition to her faculty role, Dr. Cabell is the founder and president of Open Heart Communities, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between social justice and mental health by serving communities through holistic and culturally grounded approaches to healing. Her work is deeply informed by humanistic, Black feminist, liberation, and embodiment frameworks, which she integrates into both clinical practice and classroom learning.

Dr. Cabell is also an active scholar and presenter, with publications and conference presentations related to racial trauma, movement-based interventions, and collective healing within marginalized communities. She has been an active member of the Society for Humanistic Psychology, APA Division 32 since joining as a student in 2020. She has held multiple leadership positions within the division, including Student Representative, chair of the Conference Committee, and chair of the APA Convention Hospitality Suite. Dr. Cabell is committed to mentoring future clinicians in the development of cultural humility and ethical, justice-oriented practice.

Education

  • PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Michigan School of Psychology
  • MA in Clinical Psychology, Michigan School of Psychology
  • MS in Psychology, Southern New Hampshire University
  • BA, University of Michigan

Licensure

  • Limited Licensed Psychologist – Michigan

Areas of Expertise

  • Racial Trauma
  • Trauma-informed Care
  • Multicultural Psychology
  • Culturally Grounded Healing
  • Community-Centered Healing
  • Somatic & Movement-Based Healing

Selected Publications 

Brown, V., Cabell, C. D., & Belton, G. (in press). Women and humanistic psychology. In L. Hoffman (Ed.), APA Handbook of Humanistic and Existential Psychology, Vol. 2., Chapter 14. American Psychological Association.

Cabell, C. D., & Bradshaw, C. (under contract). Existential therapy in different cultural contexts: History and development. University Professors Press.

Cabell, C. D. (2024). Divisions between Foster Children and their Families: Healing through Family Therapies. Society for Humanistic Psychology Newsletter, Winter, 19-26.

Cabell, C. D. (2024) Black feminist theory as an approach to therapeutic growth and healing. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/0221678231221302

Cabell, C. D. (2023). Black women and racial trauma: Creative movement and the embodied self. Society for Humanistic Psychology Newsletter, Fall, 15-17.

Cabell, C. D. (2023). Maslow’s views on technology and culture: A millennial’s response to “Toward a humanistic biology.” Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 64(1), 130-135. https://doi.org/10.1177/00221678231187925

Cabell, C. D. (2023). Inner turmoil. In L. Fuller (Ed.), God’s Compassion Towards Me, 31-39. Learn Realistic Habits for the Future

Selected Presentations

Cabell, C., Brown, D., & Sebree, D. Cultural Adaptations of Humanistic Therapy for Black Americans and Internalized Oppression. Presentation at: 133nd Annual Convention of the APA; American Psychological Association; August 2025; Denver, CO.

Cabell, C., & Balaghi, D. Black Women and Indirect Exposure to Police Terror Against Black. Presentation at: 18th Annual Conference of APA Division 32; Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology; March 2025; Atlanta, GA.

Cabell, C., Brown., V., & Sebree, D. Fostering the Family: Humanistic Care for Displaced Children. Presentation at: 18th Annual Conference of APA Division 32; Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology; March 2025; Atlanta, GA.

Kardel, B. Cabell, C., & Cusick, K. Transformative Movement: Dance as a Pathway to Growth and Liberation. Presentation at: 18th Annual Conference of APA Division 32; Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology; March 2025; Atlanta, GA.

Cabell, C., Perin, J., & Sebree, D. Building Bridges: Fostering Interconnectedness and Belonging within Diverse Communities. Presentation at: 18th Annual Conference of APA Division 32; Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology; March 2025; Atlanta, GA.

Brown, D., Cabell, C., & Kardel, D. Where is the Love? Creatively Rising to Foster Liberation. Presentation at: 18th Annual Conference of APA Division 32; Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology; March 2025; Atlanta, GA.

Kardel, B. Cabell, C., & Cusick, K. Promoting Embodiment, Therapeutic Growth, and Healing through Bodywork and Movement Therapies. Presentation at: 132nd Annual Convention of the APA; American Psychological Association; August 2024; Seattle, WA.

Cabell, C., Brown, D., Fields, R., & Sebree, D. Breaking the Cycle of Racial Trauma in Black Americans. Presentation at: 132nd Annual Convention of the APA; American Psychological Association; August 2024; Seattle, WA.

Buzolits, J., Mangiapane, V., Cabell, C., Perin, J., Blum, O., Self, A., Banks, K., Kim, Y., Majed, D., Wiggins, Z., Haddad, D., Qurashi, S., Kozlowski, B., Hamami, R., & Jovanich, G. Cultural Responsibility: Exploring the Influence of Marginalized Identities on the Lived Experience of Mental Healthcare Providers. Presentation at: 17th Annual Conference of APA Division 32; Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology March 2024; Ann Arbor, MI.

King, B., Scott, M., Bach, L., Cusick, K., Christensen, R., Brown, V., Cabell, C., & Stockwell, S. I and Thou, Then and Now: Celebrating the Legacy of Humanistic Psychology Through the Wisdom of Women Across Ages. Presentation at: 17th Annual Conference of APA Division 32; Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology March 2024; Ann Arbor, MI.

Cabell, C., & Brown, V. Black Feminist Theory as an Approach to Therapeutic Growth and Change. Presentation at: 17th Annual Conference of APA Division 32; Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology March 2024; Ann Arbor, MI.

King, B., Cabell, C., Jackson, T., & Duberstein, A. Critical Conversation: Reproductive Justice and the Attack on Women’s Rights. Black American Maternal Health and the Impact of Historical Systemic Racism on Reproductive Health & Women’s Rights. Critical Conversation at: 131st Annual Convention of the APA; American Psychological Association; August 2023; Washington, D.C.

Cabell, C. Johnson, K., & Wallace, M. Development of the Vicarious Trauma of Black Americans Scale. Poster at: 54th Annual Convention of the International Association of Black Psychologists; July 2023; Detroit, MI.

Cabell, C., Weber, S., Sebree, D., & Wallace, M. Giving Birth While Black: The Socio-Historical Roots of Maternal Care for Black-American Women. Presentation at: 54th Annual Convention of the International Association of Black Psychologists; July 2023; Detroit, MI.

Cabell, C., Moghaddam, E., & Brown, V. Enhancing Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth Through Capoeira. Presentation at: 16th Annual Conference of APA Division 32; Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology; March 2023; Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Cabell, C., & Brown, V. Racial Socialization of Black Adolescents: Protective Intervention or Vicarious Trauma? Presentation at: 16th Annual Conference of APA Division 32; Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology; March 2023; Albuquerque, NM.

Cabell, C., Brown, V., Gird, L., Ilmer, R., Moghaddam, E., Beidas, F., Griffin, B., & Vasquez, S., Kink Operational and Cultural Competence Scale. Poster at: 65th Annual Society of the Scientific Study of Sexuality Conference; Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality; November 2022; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Cabell, C., Pope, T., Sadovsky, S., Yount, S., & Keenan, K. The Development of the Multicultural Psychological Pain from Loss or Lack Scale. Poster at: 130th Annual Convention of APA; American Psychological Association; August 2022; Minneapolis, MN, and Virtual platform.

Buzolits, J., Malik, H., Kittredge, K., Mangiapane, V., Binder, J., Pendleton, M., & Cabell, C. How Does Cultural Responsibility Impact the Lived-Experience and Well-Being of Mental Healthcare Providers? Roundtable at: 39th Annual Winter Roundtable Conference; Teachers College, Columbia University; February 2022; Virtual platform.

Professional Memberships

  • The Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi, Inc.)
  • The Association of Black Psychologists (Detroit Chapter)
  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • Division 18: Psychologists in Public Service (APA)
  • Division 32: Society for Humanistic Psychology (APA)
  • Division 35: Society for the Psychology of Women (APA)
  • Division 35, Section I: Society for the Psychology of Black Women (APA)
  • Division 45: Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race (APA)
  • Division 49: Society of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy
  • Division 56: Trauma Psychology (APA)
  • Michigan Psychological Association (MPA)

Q&A

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

Graduate training can be both rewarding and demanding. My advice is to embrace the journey, not just the destination. Allow yourself to grow through the challenges, lean on your peers and mentors, and remember that self-care is not optional, it’s essential. Stay connected to your “why,” the deeper purpose that brought you here, and let it ground you during moments of stress or doubt. Trust that your voice, your story, and your presence are needed in this field.

  • What do you like most about teaching students at MSP?

What I like most about teaching at MSP is MSP’s commitment to humanistic values, social justice, and community impact—principles that deeply align with my own work and calling. Teaching here gives me the opportunity to engage with students who are not only academically curious but also motivated by a sense of purpose and service. I love the idea of co-creating learning spaces where students feel empowered to bring their full selves, question deeply, and prepare to become practitioners who make a meaningful difference in the world.

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