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. Prior to joining MSP, he completed his APA-accredited predoctoral internship at The University of North Carolina – Charlotte, Counseling Center. Dr. Shepler’s favorite aspects of being a faculty member at MSP is the opportunity to mentor psychologists-in-training as they become practitioner-scholars. Dr. Shepler believes that research should inform provision of psychological services. As such, he views developing research skills as an important aspect of graduate training and frequently collaborates with students to conduct research in his areas of specialization. His work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals and he has presented at various national and regional conferences. Dr. Shepler has completed advanced training in sex therapy and enjoys working with teens and adults presenting with concerns related to sexual or gender identity. He also provides psychological assessment services for children, teens, and adults 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
• Ethics

Selected Presentations

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. K. & Smendik, J. M. (2020, August) Assessment of differences in LGB identity based on sampling method. Poster presented at the 128^th annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL. (Presentation canceled)

Boot, J. & Shepler, D. K., (2020, August). Asexuality Bias Inventory. Poster presented at the 128^th annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Justin, K. J., Shepler, D. K., & Kinel, J. R. (2019, August). She’s just not that into me: Involuntary celibacy among heterosexual men. Poster presented at the 127^th annual Convention of the American 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., Callan, P., Justice, M., Oliver, C., Width, A., & Rawat, A., Pollok, K. (2018, April). Sluggish cognitive tempo: Clinical and research implications from clinical data. Poster presented at the 90th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Shepler, D., Obah, A., Sacka, A., Burgoyne, B., Suing, K., & Linton, B. (2018, April). Predicting anti-transgender attitudes in straight, white adults. Poster presented at the 90th 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.

Shepler, D. K., Johnson, K. P., & Width, A. A. (2016, May). Knowledge of AIDS is not related to sexual behavior. Poster presented at the 88th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Shepler, D. K., Johnson, K. P., & Ho. M. A. (2015, August). Differences in satisfaction with life between LGB and heterosexual individuals. In D. K. Shepler (Chair), LGBT Satisfaction with Life: Findings and Future Directions. Symposium conducted at the 123rd annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada.

Bober, C. C., Shepler, D. K., Suing, K. L., & Ho, M. A. (2015, April). Correlates of life satisfaction in the trans* community. Paper presented at the 87th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Selected Publications

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., & Width, A. A. (2017). Risky sexual behavior and knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission in a community sample: Sexual orientation, race, and gender. Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Science, 11(1). doi: 10.5590/JSBHS.2017.11.1.0x

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.

Alexander, C. M., Hutchison, A. N., Clougher, K. M., TenBrink, H. A., Shepler, D. K., & Ambroise, Y. M. (2014). Adolescent dating violence: Application of a U.S. primary prevention program in St. Lucia. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92(4), 489-498.

Woosley, S. A., & Shepler, D. K. (2011). Understanding the early integration experiences of first-generation college students. College Student Journal, 45(4), 700-714.

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.