ABOUT DR. MICHAEL ELLIOTT

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY 

Private Practice, Licensed Psychologist in California, 1993 to present - Nevada, 2020 to present - Arizona, 2021 to present.

 
Clinical Psychology 

Perform all aspects of clinical psychotherapy including psychological and educational assessment. Conduct assessment, diagnosis and treatment of individuals, couples, and families. Areas of emphasis: Philosophic Psychology; Humanistic/Existential Psychotherapy; Marriage and Family Therapy; Phenomenology; Learning and behavior problems in children; Practical applications of Systems Theory. 

Clinical Neuropsychology 

Conduct evaluations and interventions for traumatic brain injury within the scope of clinical neuropsychology. Offer consultation and expert testimony in legal contexts for psychological and neuropsychological evaluations. Specialized areas include Intellectual, Cognitive, Sensory-Motor, Personality, and Psychopathology Assessments, as well as Performance and Symptom Validity Assessments. Additionally, focus on treating individuals coping with traumatic injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Michael Elliott And Associates 

Owner of Michael Elliott and Associates which is a multidisciplinary mental health practice that offers a range of services including psychotherapy, neuropsychological assessment, and expert consultation. They specialize in providing comprehensive evaluations and treatment for conditions such as traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and various psychological disorders. Additionally, they offer expert witness testimony in forensic settings, particularly for psychological and neuropsychological analysis. Oversee 16 employees. 

Core Faculty Professor - Pacifica Graduate Institute (11 Years) 

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Served as President of The Academic Senate, I was also a member of the Senate Leadership Council. As the Coordinator of Assessment for the Master of Counseling Psychology in Depth Psychotherapy and Marriage and Family Therapy program, I oversaw the supervision of Master's Theses within the Counseling Psychology program with an emphasis in Depth Psychotherapy and Marriage and Family Therapy. Additionally, I chair Doctoral Dissertations in the Clinical Psychology PhD and PsyD Programs. My instructional portfolio includes courses such as Imaginal and Archetypal Psychology, Marriage, Family and Relationship Therapy, Clinical Practice, Depth Research Methods, Ethics and the Law, Cognitive and Intellectual Assessment, Personality Assessment, Quantitative Research Methods, The Neuroscience of PTSD (evening seminar), Cultural Psychology, Psychopathology, and Clinical Interviewing. 

Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) 2021 Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) 

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• Completed over 500 hours of verifiable direct contact experience with individuals with brain injury. The qualifying experience was under a professional license in good standing. 

• Received certification for a two full day training in addition to all other requirements. 

Founder and Director of Family and Psychological Services at Santa Margarita High School from 1991 to 2000. 

Responsibilities included overseeing and managing the office operations, developing educational initiatives, and offering a range of services such as individual and family counseling, as well as a comprehensive referral program for psychological and psychiatric needs. Additionally, provided instructional support for students with learning disabilities, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Initiated and coordinated workshops focused on psycho-educational assessment and instruction. Also, provided supervision and training for psychotherapists. 

Founding Director of Auxiliary Studies Program, Santa Margarita High School, 1995 to 2010 (Consultant to the program, 2010 to 2018) 

Supervise six employees responsible for implementation of a comprehensive intervention program for learning disabled students. Various responsibilities include fund raising, development and implementation of educational programs, employee training and staff development, supervise counseling and educational enhancement program, direct all public relations, and manage a substantial annual budget. Responsible for the administration and interpretation of psycho-educational and psycho-neurological assessments and the development of intervention strategies. 

Adjunct Professor, University of La Verne, 1988 to 1991 

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Courses taught: Cross-Cultural Counseling, Counseling Theories and Techniques, Tests and Measurement, Group Counseling in the Schools, Dynamics of Human Interaction and Human Development to students completing requirements for a Master of Science degree in counseling. 

Adjunct Professor, United States International University, 1991 to 1998 

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Courses taught: Behavior Disorders in Early and Later Years, Teaching for Tomorrow, Therapeutic Systems and Psychology, Human Development, Ethics and The Law for Psychotherapists, Clinical Interviewing Techniques in Psychotherapy, Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum, Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy, Marriage and Divorce and Research Methodology to students completing requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, a Doctorate in Education, and a Master of Arts Degree in Person-Centered Education. 

Counselor, Santa Margarita High School, 1989 to 1991 

Determine optimal academic program to accommodate the special needs of students. Offer college preparatory guidance. Personal counseling with families and students concerning adolescent development. 

Counselor, Santa Ana Unified School District, 1988 to 1989 

Assignment: Spurgeon Intermediate School. Academic, behavioral, and personal counseling. Participated in School Safety Program, Gang Intervention Program, Individual Educational Planning Program, and Comprehensive Guidance Program. 

Teacher, Los Angeles Unified School District, 1985 to 1988 

Assignment: South Park Elementary School. First, second, third and fifth grade levels. Chairperson for second and fifth grades, Safety Council Director, and Proficient English Program Chairperson. 

EDUCATION ​

 

• Graduate Level Certification Fundamentals of Neuroscience 1: The Electrical Properties of the Neuron Fundamentals of Neuroscience 2: Neurons and Networks, The Synapse, Fundamentals of Neuroscience 3: The Brain Harvard MCB80X, Harvard University, July 28, 2021, taught by David Cox -Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Computer Science, Harvard University. 

• Head Trauma and Frontotemporal Disorders 5.0 Credits 09/14/20 - Bleeding In Head Injuries, Hematomas of the Head, Hemorrhage, Acquired Brain Injury, Concussion, The Basics of Frontotemporal Disorders, Causes, Diagnosis and Common Symptom of Frontotemporal Disorders, Treatment, Management and Caring for a Person with a Frontotemporal Disorder. 

• Brain Injuries 4.0 Credits 08/26/18 -Anatomy And Physiology Of The Head And Brain, Cranial Vault, Brain Injury Diffuse Axonal Injury, Neurological Deficits, Amnesia, Severe Headache, Loss of Consciousness Coma: Altered Consciousness Coup and Contrecoup Effect. 

• Clinical Practice Guidelines For The Management Of Concussion - Mild Traumatic Brain Injury 2.0 Credits 

• 10/26/2018 - Progression through return-to-activity protocols following mild traumatic brain injury, Identify factors that place patients at risk for prolonged recovery following mild traumatic brain injury recovery, Assessment and treatment during typical and prolonged mild traumatic brain injury recovery 

• Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology with specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy, United States International University, April 1993. 

• Master of Science degree in counseling, University of La Verne, March 1988. 

• Pupil Personnel Services Credential completed educational requirements, university of La Verne, March 1988. 

• Community College Counseling Credential completed educational requirements, University of La Verne, March 1988. 

• Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, California State University Fullerton, January 1984. 

PUBLICATIONS 

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• The Art and Soul of Couples and Family Therapy in the CAMFT publication. The Therapist, June 2013 

• The Unmotivated Child: A Crisis in Perception, in The Sky Is The Limit, a bi-monthly journal for Students with Learning Disabilities, January 1998. 

• Dr. Elliott is currently finishing his first book, Philosophic Psychology: Counseling for the Cultural Crisis. 

RELATED EXPERIENCE 

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• Incorporating the MMPI-2-RF in Personal Injury and Disability Evaluations. A comprehensive analysis of the MMPI-2 -RF in personal injury cases including several case studies and applications to the forensic setting. 

• Traumatic Brain Injury: An Advanced Overview With Implications For Forensic Mental Health and Legal Professionals. Training in TBI and implications of forensic mental health analysis. 

• Completed Pre-doctoral internship at Capistrano by the Sea Hospital. The internship program is sanctioned by the American Psychological Association (APA). Duties performed included group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, neuropsychological assessment, psychological assessment, and evaluation. Also, co- led parenting classes and participated in all aspects of case management. 

• Board member for Boys Hope of California: an international organization designed to provide proper care for at-risk children and adolescents. Board membership includes participation on screening and selection committee, referral services, family counseling and psycho-educational screening of candidates. 

• Member of the Board of Directors for Saint Mary's and All Angels: A comprehensive educational institution with a preschool; elementary, middle, and high schools; liberal studies college with an affiliated Abbey for retired teachers and education administrators. An innovative and independent "cradle to the grave" educational community located in South Orange County. 

• Volunteered as a counselor and organizer, from 1985 to 1987, for The Breakthrough Foundation - Youth at Risk Program of Los Angeles: An organization aimed at solving the problems of juvenile delinquency and gang activity. Counseled fourteen- to eighteen-year-old gang members and interfaced with local police, youth agencies, and the community. 

• Post-traumatic growth is described by Calhoun & Tedeschi (2010) as positive psychological change experienced as a result of the struggle with a major life crisis or a traumatic event. Posttraumatic growth through a lens of coaching and the ways in which coaches can help clients create growth after overcoming trauma. The Institute of Coaching at McLean, Harvard Medical School. 

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SCHOLARSHIP 

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• Dissertation 

  • Elliott, M. (1993). The Interaction Between Ontological Death Anxiety. Neuroticism and Belief in Afterlife in Adolescents. United States international University. 

• Dissertation Committee Membership 

  • I have chaired or served as a committee member on over twenty Doctoral Dissertations and eighty-two Published Masters Theses. Titles and membership status available upon request. 

• Presentations and Workshops 

  • Treatment and Nutritional Implications in Pathophysiological Cascade of Minor Traumatic Brain Injury Presented at Body-Mind Conference in Orange County Ca 2019 

  • The Synchronicity of Ethics Presented at IAAP-IAJS Yale conference paper to the International Journal Of Jungian Studies, 2015 

  • The Human Face of Psychology: How the "person-centered" in Rogers, the "Otherness of the Other" in Levinas, and Depth Psychology's metaphorical discourse, affect the way we do psychotherapy and participate in the world. Presented at American Psychological Association 2013 

  • P.O.I.S.E.- Innovative strategies to enhance school performance using behavior management, effective planning, and study skills 

  • Invited speaker for private school conference in Orange County California, August 2009, on applications of the POISE program; P-planning O-organizing I-initiating S-self-monitoring E evaluate feedback. Program Curriculum created in 2007 to engage and improve executive functioning and emotional response regulation (has been expanded to include brain injured patients). 

  • Guest Teacher. Alliant University. November 2008: In Defense of Narcissism: Existential and Archetypal Perspectives on Minding the Gap. 

  • Presented recent work on the "Myth of Narcissus and Echo" articulating cross contamination of existential and archetypal perspectives in psychological theory. 

  • Guest Teacher, Alliant University. September 2008: Applications of Jung's Typology In Psychotherapy. 

  • Presented Jung's typology as therapeutic tool in individual and couples therapy with an emphasis on archetypology as a way of avoiding static diagnostic categories. 

  • Keynote Address: Learning Disabilities Conference, Los Angeles Archdiocese, 2008 Keynote speaker on learning disabilities, neuropsychological perspectives on Attention Deficit Disorder and emotional problems in Children and Adolescent populations. 

  • A Comprehensive Approach for Working with Learning Disabled Students and Their Families: Invited presentation the Catholic Diocese of Orange Educators and Administrators, September 1998 

  • How to Identify Adolescents with Learning and Emotional Problems: Invited presentation for South Orange County Private Schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. September 1998 

  • Contemporary Techniques for Effective Parenting: Invited presentation for the Family Resource Center in Mission Viejo, CA. August 1997 

  • Assessment. Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder: Apresentation at the Family Resource Center in Mission Viejo, CA. January 1996 

  • "Selfing", Evolving and Imagining: An Inquiry Into the Ontology of Human Existence: Ideas and Intellectual Expression, Second Annual Open Symposium: Evolution and Self, United States International University. May 1994 

  • Applications of Complexity Theory to Creativity and Imagination: Ideas and Intellectual Expression, First Open Symposium: Evolving Paradigms of Creativity, Imagination and Intuition, United States International University. April 1993 

  • Intervention and Prevention of Adolescent Substance Abuse: Invited presentation for Orange County Secondary Schools. May 1993 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS 

 

• American Psychological Association (APA) Member Division 

• 40: Society for Clinical Neuropsychology Member 

• National Academy of Neuropsychology 

• California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT) 

PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

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• Participated in six years of Jungian Analysis 

• Recipient of "Outstanding Dissertation" award from United States International University, 1993 

• NCAA Division 1 All-American, 1980 

• Pacific Coast Athletic Association Athlete of the Year, 1980 

• California State University Fullerton Athlete of the Year, 1980 

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