MSP reaches out periodically to alumni to discover more about the work that fulfills their passion for clinical psychology. Life After MSP is our feature column that highlights the career journey of our grads.
Name: Tammy R. McCrory, LLP, BCBA, LBA (2016 graduate of MSP’s Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program)
Credentials: Post-graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis and Trauma Intervention with specialized training in autism spectrum disorder, trauma identification, and treatment
Job Titles: Clinical Limited Licensed Psychologist, Supervisor, Maternal and Infant Public Health Specialist, Mental Health Consultant, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)
Experience
Ms. McCrory has worked with diverse populations, including as a Health Information and Technology Release Specialist at Sinai-Grace
Hospital and the Director of Infant Maternal Health Services at the Detroit Health
Department. She founded Social Care Administrators (now the McCrory Center) to
improve health outcomes for pregnant women and infants. Ms. McCrory developed the McCrory’s Developmental Milestones Express Toolkits to
support parents in fostering children’s growth.
Describe your work in clinical psychology:
In the field of clinical psychology, I am excited about the work I am doing by providing clinical psychological support to an underserved area for those suspected of having a neurodevelopmental condition such as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, etc. At our clinic, we administer psychological evaluations and treatment recommendations, as opposed to direct therapy. However, we are in the process of incorporating additional services to meet the community’s needs for group and parent therapy. I am also focusing on developmental milestones across the lifespan, which has been some of the most gratifying work I have ever done. I also serve as the Mental Health Consultant for one of the well-established preschools in the Wayne County area. I sit on Governor Whitmer’s Black Leadership Advisory Council as the Health Committee Chair which enables me to use my voice to make policy recommendations (Masters Level EPPP Score- Hint). I have created a number of evidence-informed toolkits for parents and early learning professionals centered around understanding development and behavior—McCrory Developmental Milestones Toolkits!
What do you like about your work?
I enjoy being able to answer questions for parents. I have all kinds of parents who bring their children to see me from all socioeconomic levels, including doctors, to help answer the questions based on my specialty and craft, which I have dedicated myself to learning and understanding. I am also excited when I can help a child develop some form of communication, whether verbal or non-verbal, based on Skinner’s verbal operants. It has been the most rewarding work ever. I also enjoy initiating thought-provoking conversations based on theory.
How did MSP prepare you for success?
When I was a teenager, I was in the Horizon Upward Bound Program, which afforded me extracurricular summer opportunities at Cranbrook. I remember journaling in my notebook that one day I wanted to become a psychologist. Well, life took all kinds of twists and turns that led me down different paths. So, I had foreclosed on my dream until I came across MSP. I researched and found everything I could about the school and the program. At the time, I was getting married, had a toddler, a teenager, and a baby on the way, and was running two businesses (McCrory Center and an Escape Room). I was about to opt out for another time, when
I spoke to Amanda Ming [MSP’s Admissions Coordinator at the time], who encouraged me that I could do it! Her positive words of encouragement led me to complete the application. My first two semesters were some of the best days of my academic life. Dr. Brennan, Dr. Hutchison, Dr. Blackstock, Dr. Blau, Dr. Sollars, and others made my learning experience memorable and helped me accumulate much of the psychological knowledge and understanding that I have today, which is often relevant and applicable to most behaviors, both personally and professionally. Back then MSP instructors provided students with written feedback at the end of the semester along with your grade. The feedback often overwhelmed me with joy and led me to believe I was on the right track.
Without the degree, the community I come from wouldn’t have the service I offer. In summary, MSP staff and faculty helped build my confidence and knowledge so that I could go out into the world and do my very best to make it a better place.
What advice would you give to current students?
Do not foreclose on your dream. Some of the students who started in our cohort dropped out for various reasons. Either way, time will go by, and the short time it takes to complete the program leads to a life of gratifying rewards. Find someone, whether at the school or outside, to be your confidant and continue no matter what! Also, advocate for yourself if you find yourself in a challenging situation. Build your confidence and know that the world is waiting on you. Also, do not allow others to tell you who you are or who you can be. Remember you are on this earth for a reason.
