Valerie L. McCray Ph. D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Address: 3258 Fall Creek Pkwy, N. Dr. (317) 701-0976 (c) (317) 927-7434 (h)
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46205 Email:vmc210fc@westpost.net
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Licensed Psychologist, HSPP, State of Indiana
Licensed Psychologist, State Of Georgia
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Education
2000 Clinical Psychology, Ph.D., University Of Michigan, Ann Arbor
1995 Clinical Psychology, M.A., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
1990 Honors Psychology, B.A., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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Clinical and Administrative Experience Overview
*I have a strong background in assessment and treatment of severe mental health
and trauma related issues including PTSD, personality changes due to medical con
ditions including brain injuries, substance abuse, suicidal and self injurious b
ehaviors, psychosis and thought disorders, major depressive disorders, mood diso
rders, anxiety and panic disorders, violent behavior and anger modulation diffic
ulties as well as crisis intervention and stabilization. I have strong experienc
e in working with dual diagnoses and multi-axial conditions, as well as Axis II
personality disordered clients.
*In addition, I have extensive experience addressing general mental health conce
rns, including marital and family relationships, sexual abuse, adolescent and ch
ildhood adjustment, individual and community empowerment as well as helping pri
soners with difficulties reintegrating with family and communities.
*I use an integrative approach to therapy utilizing evidenced based modalities a
s well as techniques such as EMDR, mindfulness, and spirituality when it is mean
ingful to the client.
*I possess natural leadership abilities and strong administrative skills includi
ng development of comprehensive and innovative mental health programming, traini
ng and education of treatment team, and supervision of clinical staff. I have v
ery engaging and effective communication and presentation skills.
* Skills would suite current military needs, corrections, academia, or practice.
Clinical Experience
2010-Present Psychologist Private Practice, General life issues; marriage and
family, couples, children and adolescents and adult treatment, grief and loss, d
ivorce mediation, work and life transition issues, career coaching. Currently la
unching two internet radio talk shows.
2007-2010 Clinical Director of Mental Health Services, MHM Services, Georgi
a Department of Corrections. Served as Clinical Director/Psychologist in both me
n's and women's prisons within the State of Georgia. Duties included program dev
elopment and staff development. Provided supervision and training of counselors,
activity therapists, medical, and security staff. Facilitated treatment team me
etings, in-service training, involuntary medication hearings, and case consultat
ion. Provided direct patient care; individual psychotherapy, group therapy, cris
is intervention, mental status exams, diagnostic evaluations, testing, as well a
s parole evaluations, for Axis I, II and III, Dual, and Multiple Diagnoses, incl
uding severely mentally ill and mentally disabled (MR) inmates. Conducted qualit
y assurance studies. Served as liaison and consultant to administration and secu
rity staff. Served as member of the Sexual Assault Response Team.
2005-2006 Lead Psychologist, CMS Services, Indiana Women's Prison, and Pend
leton men's prison. Duties included psychotherapy, individual therapy, group the
rapy, crisis intervention, testing, and commitment evaluations in a maximum secu
rity prison. Paper and electronic record keeping were utilized. As lead psycholo
gist additional duties included supervision, and training for staff, facilitatin
g clinical staff meetings. Consulted with Superintendent and Conduct Adjustment
Board concerning appropriate handling of mentally ill inmates. Coordinated and s
erved on emergency on-call system. Facilitated interdisciplinary meetings and in
tegrated healthcare services with medical staff. Duties also included 10 hours p
er week at the Pendleton Male Facility.
2005-2005 Psychotherapist/Consultant, Indianapolis Housing Authority. Volunteer
. Assisted administration in assessing the current mental health status and nee
ds for emergency services and treatment for residents of elderly and low-incomes
housing projects. Provided drop-in therapy services for residents experiencing
difficulty coping with life stressors.
2001-2002 Psychotherapist, Midwest Psychological Clinic, Indianapolis, IN
.
Provided short term and long term therapy for couples, families, children, and a
dults. Conducted testing, court-ordered custody and child placement assessments.
Provided ongoing treatment for foster children and foster care providers. Parti
cipated in court proceedings.
2000-2000 Consultant/Trainer, Michigan Neighborhood Partnership, Summer Project
2000. A State of Michigan Initiative aimed at providing last-ditch, intensive p
lans of action for 900 difficult to employ adults that were being removed from w
elfare assistance. Supervised 15 community leaders and social workers in the Cit
y of Detroit in developing individual
life plans for participants. Developed weekly workshops to deal with common them
es, e.g., Recognizing pathology, How to integrate mental heath and other social
services; Dealing with difficult clients and related stressors; Cultural Sensiti
vity; as well as Individual and Community Empowerment.
1997-1998 Psychotherapist, CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services), Un
iversity of Michigan. Clinical position as psychotherapist for diverse undergrad
uate and graduate student population. Provided short-term therapy for individual
s, couples, as well as group therapy. Facilitator for African-American Graduate
Women and Self-Esteem Therapy Groups.
1994-1996 Psychotherapist, CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) Un
iversity of Michigan. APA accredited 3yr internship. Duties included long-term a
nd short-term treatment of a culturally diverse undergraduate and graduate stude
nt population. Treatment included individual, group, and couples therapies, as w
ell as crisis intervention, sexual assault survivor treatment, eating disordered
clients, as well as group therapies. Facilitated and developed manual for Afric
an-American Graduate Women's Therapy Group
1996-1996 Program Developer, Washtenaw County Juvenile Court. Developed cu
lturally sensitive psycho-educational therapeutic program for adjudicated adoles
cents and their families. Included monthly meetings with court officials, provid
ed facility needs assessment.
1993-1994 Psychotherapist, University Center for the Child and Family, Uni
versity of Michigan one-year internship. UCCF utilizes a family systems approach
as primary framework for case conceptualization and treatment modalities. Dutie
s included intake evaluations, long and short term therapy for children, couples
and families, parent training, and social skills training for children. Conduct
ed adult and child psychological and IQ assessments and testing. Conducted child
custody evaluations and participated in court proceedings.
1993-1994 Consultant/Trainer, City Schools Project, Detroit Michigan. Serve
d as consultant for teachers concerning issues with children in urban schools in
Detroit Michigan. Conducted child psychological assessments, in-class observati
ons and recommended in-school treatment and interventions. Developed and facilit
ated programs for improving teacher/parent/administration communication effec
tiveness.
1992-1993 Psychotherapist, CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services), U
niversity of Michigan, one-year Practicum. Training included conducting intake a
ssessments, testing, Individual and group therapy, multicultural sensitivity in
practice and case management. Co-facilitated African American Women's Therapy Gr
oups.
Teaching Experiences (1992-2000) Most courses listed were taught multiple semest
ers.
Lecturer, Practicum in Multicultural Communities, University of Michigan, Psycho
logy Course 305. Responsible for course design, organization, and lecturer for c
ourse aimed at developing undergraduate student skills in providing service in d
iverse communities in Detroit Michigan. Established and maintained collaborative
relationships with leaders in African American, Latino, and Arab communities in
economically depressed areas of Detroit Michigan.
Instructor, Multicultural Community Based Research, University of Michigan
Course 303. Responsible for course design and teaching course aimed at developin
g undergraduate skills in conducting research in multi-cultural communities in D
etroit Michigan. Utilized the experiential learning method with instruction on c
ommunity based research methods (e.g. needs assessment, resource assessments, pr
oject evaluation methods, archival and census data retrieval) with emphasis on u
tilizing participant-researcher model and cultural sensitivity.
Instructor, Introduction to Psychology, University of Michigan Course 111. Respo
nsibilities included designing curriculum, writing syllabi, developing exams and
papers, selecting supplemental film, speakers, and exercises to enhance student
's learning experiences for weekly and bi-weekly discussion sections.
Instructor, Project Outreach/Big Sibs Program, University of Michigan Psychology
Course 211. This course paired undergraduate students with children in the comm
unity who were in need of a big brother or big sister relationship, due to the a
bsence of one or both parents, or children in foster or relative care. Duties in
cluded direct supervision of undergraduate students, as well as designing curric
ulum, selecting supplemental film, speakers and materials to enhance student's l
earning experiences.
Instructor, Introduction to Social Psychology, University of Michigan Psychology
Course 380. Responsibilities included designing curriculum, writing syllabi, de
veloping exams and papers, selecting supplemental film, speakers, and exercises
to enhance student's learning experiences for weekly and bi-weekly discussion se
ctions.
Instructor, Women's Studies, University of Michigan Course 411. Team-taught cour
se aimed at empowering women in groups, the work force, and other collaborative
efforts. Responsible for co-designing course and teaching curriculum, selecting
supplemental film, speakers and materials to enhance student's learning experien
ces.
Instructor, Marriage and the Family, University of Michigan, Psychology Course 4
71. Responsibilities included designing curriculum, writing syllabi, developing
exams and papers, selecting supplemental film, speakers, and exercises to enhanc
e student's learning experiences for weekly and bi-weekly discussion sections.
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Presentations and Invited Talks
2008 University of Georgia, Child and Family Policy Initiative: The Prison Pipel
ine: The Intersection of Childhood and the Criminal Justice System. Long Term In
carcerated Youth: Development and Mental Health Issues, Valerie McCray, Ph.D.
1998 American psychological Convention, research paper presentation, Urban Girls
in the New Millennium, The Impact of Puberty on African American Girls, Valerie
McCray, Ph.D.
1998 American Psychological Association Convention, paper presentation, Preparin
g College Students for Multicultural Community Service, Valerie McCray, Ph.D.
1996 American Psychological Association Convention, paper presentation, Communic
ation about Sexuality as a Predictor of Depression among Teen-Mothers and their
Mothers.
1996 Association of Black Psychologist Convention, Symposium: Valerie McCray, Mi
chelle Callahan, Kimberly Edelin; Experiences and Challenges of Black Adolescenc
e: Using Ori-Ire to Foster Healthy Relationships and Transitions. Research paper
presented, African-American Female Adolescents and the Mothers that Raise Them
1995 American Psychological Association Convention, Symposium; Jacqueline Mattis
, Valerie McCray, Gil Allen; Black Women's Relational Lives; Intergenerational a
nd Development Perspectives. Research paper presentation: Intergenerational Comm
unication about Sexuality Between Teen-Mothers and Their Mothers,
1993 Big Ten Counseling Centers Conference, University of Illinois, Symposium: V
alerie McCray, Lupe Guttierrez, Craig Smith; The Effects of Holiday Stress in a
Multicultural Context.
1992 Women of Color Conference, University of Michigan, Workshop Presentation; C
arol Cummings, Valerie McCray, Jacqueline Mattis; What you Don't Know CAN Hurt Y
ou; The Interaction of Black Women's Mental and Physical Health.
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Grant Awards and Honors
1999 Rackham Dissertation Research Grant Award
1998 Society of the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) Grant Award
1993 Michigan Health Care and Education Research Foundation Research Grant Award
1991 Committee on Institutions Cooperation (CIC) Pre-Doctoral Fellowship
1990 Golden Key National Honors Society
1990 Psi-Chi Honors Society
1989 Literature, Science and Arts Scholar, University of Michigan
1988 Continuing Education of Women Scholar, University of Michigan
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Other Recent Employment Experiences
2001.2004 Business Owner/Operator, White Dog Motors/ Vespa Indianapolis; A Europ
ean Motor Scooter Retail Store, featured luxury motor scooters and fashion acces
sories (Vespa, Peugeot, Italjet, Derby, imported from Italy, Spain, and France).
Developed business concept, designed showrooms, managed all aspects of business
including purchasing, sales, repair, parts department and delivery of vehicles.
White Dog Motors was featured on all major TV Channels local morning shows, as
well as featured in several newspaper publications. This single mother and teena
ge son owned business was voted "117 Things We Adore about the City of Indianapo
lis", by Indianapolis Monthly magazine, Indianapolis's most prestigious magazine
.
Professional Affiliations:
Member of American Psychological Association (APA).