Michael F. Abramsky, Ph.D., A.B.P.P.
954 Canterbury
Birmingham, MI 48009:
Tel: 248-643-7398
Born February 26, 1943
EDUCATION
Undergraduate:
Montieth College, Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
September 1962- June 1965
Ph.B. with honors, June 1965
Majors in Psychology and Humanities
Graduate:
State University of New York at Buffalo,
September, 1969 – September, 1973
Major: Clinical – Developmental
Psychology: Integrated Program focusing on normal and pathological development in adolescence.
M.A. in August, 1972.
Thesis: The Effects of Task and Representational Level of Material on Children’s Cognitive Style
Ph.D., September 1973
Dissertation: Parallelisms in the Development of Formal Operations and Future Time Conception in
Adolescence.
Postgraduate:
Licensed Psychologist, State of Michigan, 1977
Diplomate: American Board of Professional
Psychology, 1981. (Clinical)
Fellow: Academy of Clinical Psychology, 1994
Who’s Who in Leading Professionals and Executives:1996
Diplomate: American Board of Professional
Psychology, 1999 (Forensic)
Postgraduate Courses:
Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute
Harvard Medical School
American Group Psychotherapy Association
Washington Square Institute
American Psychological Association
Cape Cod Institute
Albert Einstein Medical School
Psychological Seminars, Inc.
Professional Societies:
American Psychological Association, Divisions 29, 39, 41
American Group Psychotherapy Association
Association for the Advancement of Psychology
Michigan Psychological Association
American Board of Professional Psychology
Michigan Society of Licensed Psychologists
American Society of Trial Consultants
Society for Personality Assessment
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Clinical:
September 1970 to June 1972:
Practicum in Supervised Psychotherapy.
Supervisors: James Marcia, Ph.D. and Rose Weinstein, M.S.W.
Psychological Clinic, State University of New York at Buffalo.
August 1971 to August 1972:
Practicum in Supervised Psychotherapy.
Supervisor: John Wipf, Ph.D. Student Counseling Center , State University of New York at Buffalo.
October 1971 to January 1972:
Practicum in Supervised Psychotherapy (Behavior Modification).
Supervisor: Anthony Graziano, Ph.D. Psychological Clinic,
State University of New York at Buffalo.
September 1971 to January 1971:
Practicum in Diagnostics.
Supervisor: Egan A. Ringall, Ph.D. Psychological Clinic, State University of New York at Buffalo.
September 1972 to September 1973:
Clinical Psychology Intern; Lafayette Clinic, Detroit, Michigan.
September 1972 to August 1977:
Chief Psychologist, Detroit Memorial Hospital, Alcoholism Unit.
September 1972 to August 1977:
Private Practice of Diagnostic Evaluation and Psychotherapy: Comprehensive
Psychiatric Services, P.C., Southfield, Michigan.
July 1974 to July 1976:
Clinical Director, Salvation Army Harbor Light Treatment Center, Detroit, Michigan.
August 1976 to January 1980:
Director Psychological Services, Ardmore Acres Hospital, Livonia Michigan
February 1977 to September 1978:
Consultant, Project Headline, New Beginnings Program; Detroit, Michigan.
July 1977 to November 1980:
Consultant, Operation Hope, Community Mental Health Center; Detroit, Michigan.
September 1977 to December 1979:
Private Practice of Psychodiagnosis, Psychotherapy and Forensic Psychology;
Associate of: Psychological Resources, Inc.,Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
January 1980:
Private Practice of Psychodiagnosis, Psychotherapy and Forensic Psychology,
President and Clinical Director, The South Woodward Clinic, Birmingham, Michigan.
March 1, 1989:
Private Practice of Psychodiagnosis, Psychotherapy,
Contemplative Psychotherapy and Forensic Psychology
November 2007 to present
President: The Phoenix Group: Human Relations and Litigation Consultation
TEACHING
September 1971 to January 1972:
Instructor, Experimental Research and Design, State University of New York at Buffalo.
June 1971 to July 1971:
Lecture in Adolescent Thought Processes and Moral Development in Adolescents,
State University of New York at Buffalo.
November 1973 to August 1977:
Instructor; Abnormal Psychology, Detroit Memorial Hospital.
January 1974 to Present:
Adjunct Instructor, Wayne State University, Department of Psychology, Detroit, Michigan.
August 1976 to September 1977:
Psychologist in Residence, A.M., Detroit Television Show.
August 1976 to Present:
Lecturer; Ardmore Acres In-Service Education Program.
January 1980 to January 1983:
Director, In-Service Program, The South Woodward Clinic, Birmingham, Michigan.
September 2000 to present
Lecturer; Law and Psychiatry Class: Wayne State University Law School. Ralph Slovenko,
Ph.D., J.D. Professor.
Sept. 2007 to Present
Lecturer, Department of Religious Studies: Oakland University, Rochester Michigan
September 2008 to Present
Instructor: Psychology. Henry Ford community College; Dearborn MI
RESEARCH
January 1968 to March 1969:
Research Assistant; Merrill Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.
September 1969 to September 1972:
Research Position, State University of New York at June 1972 to September1972:
Special Advisor on Behavior Modification to Early Childhood Education Project,
State University of New York at Buffalo
September 1973 to September 1976:
Director of Research, Follow-up Evaluation Study of Alcoholics, Detroit Memorial Hospital,
Detroit, Michigan.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
September 1972 to August 1977
Organized Milieu Treatment Program, Alcoholism Unit,
Detroit Memorial Hospital, Detroit, Michigan.
July 1974 to July 1976
Organized and Implemented Drug and Alcoholism Treatment Center, Salvation Army Harbor Light.
August 1976 to January 1980
Organized and Implemented Psychological Services, Ardmore Acres Hospital.
January 1982 to December 1982:
Consultant: Connecticut General Insurance Company, case review and screening of psychiatric and psychological claims.
February 1983 to February 1984:
Director, Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Pre-Certification Program,
Michigan Conference of Teamsters Welfare Fund.
February 1984 to November 1990:
Director, Psychological and Substance Abuse Services, Michigan Conference of Teamsters Welfare Fund.
January 2004 to June 2004:
Member, American Bar Association Committee on Mental Health: Formulating Guidelines and
Exclusions for Executing the Mentally Ill.
PAPERS AND PUBLICATIONS
Abramsky, M.; Parallelisms in the Development of Formal Operations and Future Time Conception in Adolescence. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, State of New York at Buffalo.
Abramsky, M. and Goldman, M.; New Conceptualizations in the Theory of Alcoholism. Paper presented at Wayne County Medical Society Conference, “Industry and Alcoholism,” February 1974.
Developmental Failure in Youth as a Product Adolescent Drug Use. Paper presented at Psychological Services, Symposia on Children and Adolescence, November 1978.
Defining Traumatic Neuroses in Victims of Accidents and Crimes. Presentation at the Southfield Rehabilitation Center, May 1980.
Models of Confession: Religious, Dialogic, and Persuasion. Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan Conference, October 1, 1982.
The Diminished Capacity Defense, A Psychologist’s Perspective. Michigan Trial Lawyers Association Conference, April 13, 1984.
Evaluating a Case for Psychological Injury. Presentation, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association Conference, October 26, 1984.
Interpersonal Dynamics of Confessions. Presentation, Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan, March 5, 1984.
Three Scenarios for Alcoholism and Violence. Presentation, Michigan Criminal Defense Attorneys, November 3, 1990.
Mock Trial: Wrongful Discharge and Psychological Injury.
Michigan Defense Trial Council, December 7, 1990.
“Work Traumas and Psychological Damage”. Trial. Vol. 28, No. 7 July, 1992.
“Displacement: A Major Causal Contribution to Prolonged Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”.
Psychology: A Journal of Human Behavior (1966) Vol. 33 No.1
Abramsky, Michael and Helfman, Melissa. Murder-Suicide. In Harold V. Hall (Editor) Lethal Violence 2000: A sourcebook on fatal domestic, acquaintance, and stranger aggression. Kamuala HI: Pacific Institute for the Study of Conflict and Aggression. 1996
“The Psychological Evaluation of Work Related Disorders”: Presentation and Paper: Paper; National Institute on The Americans with Disabilities Act.
Publication of the American Bar Association Center for Continuing Legal
Education and the Section of Labor and Employment Law, Section of Tort and
Insurance Practice. Chicago Ill., 1998. Presentation; New Orleans, Louisiana,
January 23, 1998, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 13, 1998.
Book Review: J. Reid Meloy, The Psychopathic Mind: Origins, Dynamics, Treatment. Michigan Psychologist Vol. 24, No. 2.
Porcerelli, J.D., Abramsky, M., Hibbard, S. & Kamoo, R. (2001). Object relations and defense mechanisms of a psychopathic serial sexual homicide perpetrator: a TAT analysis. Journal of Personality Assessment, 77(1), 87-104.
Abramsky, Michael & Ross, Karol. Utilizing Profiling Techniques with Child Sexual Abuse Allegations. Paper presented at American College of Forensic Psychology, Rancho Mirage CA, April 10, 2003.
Abramsky, Michael & Ross, Karol. Criminal Profiling in Child Sexual Assault Cases.
American Journal of Forensic Psychology, Volume 24, Issue 2, 2006/39.
Abramsky, Michael F. Jacob Wrestles the Angel. A Study in Psychoanalytic Midrash.
The International Journal of Transpersonal Psychology .Volume 29(1) 2010
FIELDS OF INTEREST
Clinical
1. Psychodynamic psychotherapy
2. Contemplative Psychotherapy
3. Forensic Psychology
4. Substance Abuse
Research
1. Biblical, and Religious Psychology
2. Traumas: the impact of single life events on individuals.
3. Interface of law and psychology.
4. Effectiveness of psychological treatment.
5. Drug and alcohol abuse.
6. Profiling Violent Crimes
7. Interrogation and persuasion
8 Harassment and it’s impact
Teaching
1. Training of clinical psychologist, psychiatric residents and
2. Comparative Religions
3. Normal and pathological development.
4. Psychotherapy
5. Philosophy of science.
Administration
1. Organization, Implementation and Integration of Mental Health delivery systems.
2. Organization and training of mental health personnel.
3. Establishment of operating standards for mental health facilities, e.g., Joint Commission Accreditation,
Blue Cross Accreditation and State Licensing.
CONTINUING FORENSIC EDUCATION
The Insanity Plea
Instructor: Alan M. Dershowitz, J.D.
Albert Einstein Medical School
Cape Cod Summer Institute: July 18-22, 1983
Credits: 15
Studies in Forensic Psychology
Instructors: Theodore Blau, Ph.D., Jay Ziskin, Ph.D., David Shapiro, Ph.D.
Psychological Seminars
Clearwater Beach, Florida: March 11, 12, 13, 1987
Credits: 18
Advanced Civil Forensic Psychology: Personal Injury and Child Custody
Instructor: Herbert Weissman, Ph.D.
ABPP Advance Training Institute
Portland, Oregon: July 25, 26, 27, 1988
Credits: 18
The Clinical and Forensic Assessment of Malingering and Deception
Instructors: Richard Rodgers, Ph.D., David Shapiro, Ph.D., Phillip Resnick, MD
Nova University School of Psychology and Shepard Broad Law Center
Fort Lauderdale, Florida: April 26, 27, 28, 1991
Credits: 18
The Psychopathic Patient in Clinical Practice: Diagnostic, Treatment and Forensic Issues
Instructor: J. Reid Meloy
The Menninger Clinic: Topeka, Kansas: September 26, 27, 28, 1991
Credits: 12
Ninth Annual Symposium in Forensic Psychology: American College of Forensic Psychology
Instructors: Various Presenters
Santa Fe, New Mexico: April 29, 30, May 1, 2, 1993
Credits: 24
Clinical and Forensic Assessment of Violent Offenders
Instructors: Roy Hazelwood, MS, Gene Abel, MD, Wiley Miltenberg, Ph.D., and Norman Poythress, Ph.D.
4th Annual National Mental Health and Law Institute: Nova Southeastern University
Center for Psychological Studies and Shepard Broad Law Center
Fort Lauderdale, Florida: April 9, 10, 1994
Credits: 12
Personal Injury Evaluations
Instructor: Ronald Kaiser, Ph.D.
American Academy of Forensic Psychology
Chicago, Illinois: November 9, 10, 1995
Credits: 12 x 2 = 24
Criminal Forensic Assessment:
Exculpatory and Mitigation Defenses
Instructor: Charles Patrick Ewing, J.D., Ph.D.
American Academy of Forensic Psychology
Tucson, Arizona: November 7, 1996
Credits: 12 x 2 = 12
Assessing and Managing Violent Risk:
A Workshop for Clinicians
Instructors: Randy K. Otto, Ph.D., A.B.P.P. and Randy Borum, Psy.D., A.B.P.P.
American Psychological Association
Chicago, Illinois: August 18, 1997
Credits: 6
Personal Injury Examinations
Instructor: Stewart A. Greenberg, Ph.D.
American Academy of Forensic Psychology
Philadelphia, PA: May 6, 7, 1999
Credits: 12 (24)
Violence, Aggression and Risk: Clinical and Legal Issues
Instructors: John Monohan, Ph.D. and Stephen D. Hart, Ph.D.
University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law and Devereux Florida Treatment Network
Miami Lakes, FL: January 22, 2000
Credits: 6 Hours
Advance Topics in Forensic Psychology
Instructors: Stuart Greenberg, Ph.D., William Foote, Ph.D., David Shapiro, Ph.D.,
Al Goldstein, Ph.D. and Randy Otto, Ph.D.
American Academy of Forensic Psychology
San Diego, CA: February 17-20, 2000
Credits: 21 (42)
Psychotherapy and Meditation:Cultivating Connection
to Others, Ourselves and Our Lives.;
Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Oct.26-28, 2001
Credits: 7
Current Controversies in Forensic Psychology
Instructor: David Shapiro, Ph.D., A.B.P.P.
American Academy of Forensic Psychology
Kansas City, MO: October 25, 2002
Credits: 7
The Many Faces of Battered Women Syndrome in Court
Instructor: Lenore E. Walker, Ed.D., A.B.P.P.
American Academy of forensic Psychology
Kansas City, MO: October 26, 2002
Credits: 7
Assessment and Management of Workplace Violence
Instructor: George E. Hargrave, Ph.D., A.B.P.P.
American Academy of Forensic Psychology
Kansas City, MO: October 27, 2002
Credits: 7
Angry and Aggressive Behavior: A Lifespan Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Approach
Instructor: Donald Meichenbaum, Ph.D.
New England Educational Institute
Santa Fe, NM: October 17-19, 2003
Credits: 21
Mindfulness Meditation: Exploring the Self.
Ronald Alexander PhD
Cape Cod Mass.
June 16-20, 2003
Credits: 15
The psychology of Yoga
Michael Stone M.A.
New England Educational Institute
Santa Fe New Mexico
October 14-16, 2005
Credits: 15
Spirituality and Care of the Soul in Psychotherapy
Instructor: Thomas Moore. PhD
New England educational Institute
Santa Fe New Mexico
October 30-Nov.11, 2009
Credits: 15
Kundalini Yoga Meditation Techniques and Protocols
Specific for Treating GAD, OCD, Addictions, Impulse Control, Eating Disorders
MDD, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, and co-morbid disorders, and PTSD.
David Shannahoff-Khalsa
New England Educational Institute
Oct. 29-31, 2010
Credits: 15
Discovering the Healthy Self:
Instructor: Eleanor Payson, LMSW, ACSW, and LMFT
Oct. 15, 2011
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Credits: 6
Therapeutic Meditation for Mind-Brain-Body Transformation
Instructors: Annellen Simpkins PhD and Alexander Simpkins PhD
New England Educational Institute
Santa Fe, New Mexico: Oct. 28-30, 2011
15 CE Hours
The Power of Mindfulness: Mindfulness Inside & Outside the Therapy Hour
Instructor: Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD
Institute for the Advancement of Human Behavior
Ann Arbor MI January 26-27, 2012
CE Credits: 12