Michelle M. Forrester, PhD, PC - Services for Young Children & Families
CURRICULUM VITAE
 
 
PERSONAL INFORMATION
 
Name:
Michelle M. Forrester, Ph.D.
      
Office Address:
9601 Katy Freeway, Suite 420
Houston, Texas 77024
Telephone: (713) 598-3559
Facsimile:  (713) 461-5889
 
 
CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE
 
  • Licensed as a Practicing Psychologist in Texas, 1995, License Number 2-5359.
  • Registrant #44260, National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
 
 
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY and CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
 
Private Practice, Houston, Texas
March, 2003 – present
  • Conduct developmental assessments
  • Provide individual and group therapy with children
  • Provide family therapy
  • Provide Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
  • Research certified in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI)
  • Provide Parent Education and Guidance
  • Provide School Consultations
  • Provide supervision for graduate level practicum students/interns
  • Possess expertise in International Adoption and Autism
  • Consult weekly with Small Steps Nurturing Center (a preschool program serving minority children living in poverty) on the implementation of SET for Life (a personally developed social emotional curriculum for caregivers of young children currently in publication process).  Supervise practicum students and consult with staff therapist and administrators regarding clinical needs of the program.
  • Conduct training seminars and workshops

 Head, Early Childhood Programs, Learning Support Center, Texas Children’s Hospital
September, 1995 – March, 2003
  • Held appointment as member of the Medical Staff of Texas Children’s Hospital
  • Oversaw all clinical and administrative components of the Early Childhood Programs
  • Selected, hired, and trained staff and interns who comprised the Early Childhood Services team
  • Monitored staff credentials, encouraged professional growth and development
  • Conducted weekly staff meetings
  • Provided “team building” retreats for staff
  • Sought staff input/opinions, promoted cohesive staff
  • Prepared and conducted annual performance appraisals of staff
  • Provided individual, group, and family therapy for young children and families
  • Participated in the multi-disciplinary Clinic for Autistic Spectrum Disorders
  • Served as consultant to the Texas Children’s Health Center for International Adoption
  • Developed training program for psychology, social work, counseling, and education interns
  • Established and maintained relationships with eight departments of five universities
  • Supervised post-doctoral fellows, pre-doctoral interns and practicum students
  • Coordinated team activities to ensure the development, implementation and supervision of effective behavioral, social, and emotional intervention services for patients
  • Consulted with team members, parents, schools, and other professionals involved in a child’s care
  • Created and/or selected instructional materials for the Early Childhood programs
  • Served as a resource for physicians and other care providers and agencies in the community
  • Conducted interviews, training seminars, workshops
  • Initiated and participated in research efforts and obtained grants
 
Clinical Supervisor:   
Individual and group supervision for post-doctoral fellows, pre-doctoral interns, and doctoral and master’s level students from a variety of fields (Psychology, Social Work, Counseling), Texas Children’s Hospital, 1995 – March, 2003
      
Clinical Instructor:   
Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
         October, 1996 – March, 2003
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
 October, 2000 – March, 2003
 
Clinical Assistant Professor:
Smith College for Social Work
Northampton, MA
December, 2000 – March, 2003
 
Adjunct Faculty:   
Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX
1997-2003
           
Post Doctoral Trainee, Department of Psychiatry, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
September, 1993 - August, 1995
  • Conducted two clinical intervention programs for preschool children and families, individual play therapy for preschool age children, and parent support groups

Psychological Assistant, under the supervision of David Gordon, Ph.D., Los Angeles, CA
August, 1993 - August, 1995
  • Conducted parent support group for parents of special needs children

Child Development Specialist, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 
July, 1994 - August, 1995
  • Provided home visits, developmental guidance and developmental assessments for infants who graduated from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and were participating in a state-funded program for high-risk infants
 
Pre Doctoral Intern, Department of Psychiatry, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
July, 1992 - August, 1993
  • Participated in a range of clinical training including group and family therapy, intensive intervention in a therapeutic nursery school setting, a clinical intervention program for toddlers and their parents, home intervention for toddlers and parents, and case conferences and training seminars.
 
Child Development Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
September, 1990 - August, 1991
  • Member of clinical staff for the Cheerful Helpers therapeutic preschool
  • Provided evaluation and home intervention for toddlers and preschoolers
  • Served as a consultant for community programs
 
Practicum Student, Kedren Community Mental Health Center, Los Angeles, CA 
September, 1991 - December, 1991
  • Conducted individual psychotherapy and psychological testing with a low income, severely impaired adult population in South-Central Los Angeles
 
Child Development Intern, Department of Psychiatry, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
September, 1989 - August, 1990
  • Clinical trainee in a therapeutic nursery school
  • Learned diagnostic evaluation of young children and intervention strategies
 

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
 
  • American Psychological Association
  • EMDRIA
  • National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology
 
 
EDUCATION
 
1993          Ph.D., University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
        Major, Counseling Psychology
        Dissertation Title: “Preschool Depressions: A Qualitative
     Investigation.”
 
1990          M.S., University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
        Major, Counseling Psychology
 
1987          B.A., Millsaps College, Jackson, MS
        Major, Psychology
        Minor, Music
 
 
HONORS/AWARDS 
 
  • Eta Sigma, 1983, Millsaps College
  • Sigma Lambda, 1984, Millsaps College
  • Cum Laude, 1987, Millsaps College
  • Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, 1987
  • Outstanding Graduate Student Recognition, 1993, University of Southern California
  • Service with HEART Award, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1998
 

BOARD MEMBERSHIPS
 
  • Former Member, Board of Directors, The John H. and Brenda Duncan RISE School of Houston
  • Former Member, Board of Directors, Initiatives for Children
 
 
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
 
  •  Professional Workshops / Presentations
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Autistic Spectrum Disorders – Diagnosis and Treatment.”  Invited workshop for staff of Fair Haven Day School, Houston, TX, October, 26, 2005.
 
Forrester, M.M..  “SET for Life – Social Emotional Tools for Life.”  Invited workshop for the Presbytery of the New Covenant’s yearly Early Childhood Conference, Houston, TX, August 3, 2005.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Effective Classroom Strategies.”  Workshop for Early Childhood Educators of St. Peter’s Preschool, Katy, TX, February 28, 2002.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “The ABC’s of Daycare and Preschool.”  Professional two part workshop for journalists at the Scripps Howard Education Workshop sponsored by the Foundation for American Communication, Austin, TX, November 5, 2001.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Incorporating FloorTime in Early Intervention.”  Half-day workshop for Early Childhood Intervention Specialists of the Harris County Infant Programs (ECI), Houston, TX, August 1, 2001.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Promoting FloorTime in Foster Care.”  Workshop for the staff of Casa de Esperanza, a non-profit foster care organization, Houston, TX, March 28, 2001.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Managing the Difficult Child in Therapy.”  Workshop for the staff of Bay Area Rehabilitation Center, Baytown, TX, March 6, 2000.
 
Forrester, M.M., Hammond, M.V. and Parrish, K. “Integrating a Clinical Intervention Program into a Preschool Setting.”  Presentation to the Houston Area Association for the Education of Young Children, Houston, TX, November 18, 1997.
 
Forrester, M.M. and Hammond, M.V.  “Pediatric Depression.”  Training seminar for pediatricians and primary care physicians.  Primary Care Update, Kelsey-Seybold Foundation and Baylor College of Medicine Continuing Medical Education Activity, Houston, TX, March 1, 1997.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Management Strategies and Social Skills for Preschoolers.”  Workshop for staff and parents of children in the Programs for Preschoolers with Disabilities (PPCD) of the Houston Independent School District, Houston, TX, February 1, 1997.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Aggression in Preschoolers.”  Workshop for staff of the Midtown Family Resource Center of the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County, Houston, TX, August 30, 1996.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.”  Workshop for staff of the Midtown Family Resource Center of the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County, Houston, TX, June 7, 1996.
 
Forrester, M.M. “Intervention Strategies for Developmentally Delayed Young Children.”  Workshop for the staff of Bay Area Rehabilitation Center, Baytown, TX, March 28, 1996.
 
Forrester, M.M. “Anger and Aggression in the Preschool.”  Training Seminar for preschool teachers and directors, Greater Houston Trainer’s Coalition, Houston, TX, January 25, 1996.
 

 
Millon, J.C. & Forrester, M.M.  “Adoption: Medical and Attachment Issues.”  Workshop at Resolve of Houston’s 7th Annual Infertility and Adoption Symposium, Houston, TX, October 29, 2005.
 
Schwarzwald, H.L. & Forrester, M.M. “Adoption: Medical and Attachment Issues.”  Workshop at Resolve of Houston’s 6th Annual Infertility and Adoption Symposium, Houston, TX, October 28, 2004.
 
Evans, D. & Forrester, M.M. “Adoption: Medical and Attachment Issues.”  Workshop at Resolve of Houston’s 5th Annual Infertility and Adoption Symposium, Houston, TX, September 20, 2003.
 
Schwarzwald, H.L. & Forrester, M.M. “Adoption: Medical and Attachment Issues.”  Workshop at Resolve of Houston’s 4th Annual Infertility and Adoption Symposium, Houston, TX, September 21, 2002.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Why We Need an Emotional Curriculum for Early Childhood.”  Presentation at Houston Area Association for the Education of Young Children (HAAEYC) Spring Conference, Houston, TX, March 23, 2002.
 
Schwarzwald, H.L. & Forrester, M.M. “Adoption: Medical and Attachment Issues.”  Workshop at Resolve of Houston’s 3rd Annual Infertility and Adoption Symposium, Houston, TX, October 28, 2001.
 
Forrester, M.M. “Depression in Young Children.”  Presentation at “Value The Village” conference of the Children’s Mental Health Plan of Harris County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority (MHMRA) Preschool Mental Health Conference, Houston, TX, July 18, 1997.
 
Forrester, M.M. “Emotional Development: The Foundation of Learning.”  Presentation to the Houston Area Association for the Education of Young Children (HAAEYC) Spring Conference, Houston, TX, March 2, 1996.
 
Forrester, M.M. “Preschool Depression.”  Presentation to the Early Childhood Education Conference of the Nashville Area Association on Young Children, Nashville, TN, August 7, 1993.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Therapeutic Issues Related to the Southern Belle as Client.”  Presentation at the Association for Women in Psychology 1992 National Feminist Psychology Conference, Long Beach, CA, February, 1992.
 
Forrester, M.M., Brown, D.L. and Thompson, C.  “Methodological Concerns in Researching Work and Family Conflict and Psychological Distress among Multi-Ethnic Working Class Women.”  Symposium presented at the Association for Women in Psychology 1992 National Feminist Psychology Conference, Long Beach, CA, February, 1992.
 
Forrester, M.M., Herz, S., and Glasser, L.  “Interagency Collaboration Between a Clinical Early Intervention Program and a Residential Care Setting to Meet the Needs of a Toddler.”  Presentation at the National Center for Clinical Infant Programs Seventh Biennial National Training Institute, Washington, D.C., December, 1991.  Also Published in the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) database and abstract journal.
 

 
Forrester, M.M. in Cassidy. C. “Talk to Your Kids.”  Interviewed for article appearing in Parents magazine, October, 2001.
 
Forrester, M.M. in Handler C.S. “Sex –Ed for Little Kids.”  Interviewed for article appearing in Parents magazine, April, 2000.
 
Forrester, M.M. in Holcomb, B. “When Teasing goes too Far.”  Interviewed for article appearing in Good Housekeeping magazine, February, 2000.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Back to School.”  Television interview addressing parent and child anxieties as children return to school. KPRC -TV Channel 2, Houston, TX, August 4, 1999.
 
Forrester, M.M. in Handler, C.S. “Kids who get Along.”  Interviewed for article appearing in Parents magazine, October, 1998.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Quality Daycare.”  Television interview in response to recent research on daycare versus children of “at home” mothers. KNWS -TV Channel 51, Houston, TX, April 4, 1997.
 

 
Forrester, M.M.  “SET for Life – Social Emotional Tools for Life.”  Invited presentation for Southminster Presbyterian School and community, Missouri City, TX, February 9, 2006.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Bullies and Victims.”  Invited presentation by Raising Academic Performance, Inc. to community parents and leaders, Bellville, TX, February 22, 2005.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Bullies and Victims.”  Invited presentation by Raising Academic Performance, Inc. to community parents and leaders, Sealy, TX, February 7, 2005.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Early Adolescent Woes and Worries on the Autistic Spectrum.”  Invited presentation to The Westview School parents/staff, Houston, TX, January 27, 2005.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Discipline:  What Works, What Doesn’t, and How to Support Your Child’s Development While Maintaining Your Own Sanity.”  Invited presentation for staff and parents of Fair Haven Day School, Houston, TX, November 10, 2004.
 
Forrester, M.M. “Bullies and Victims.”  Presentation for parents and teachers of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Houston, TX, September 19, 2004.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Kids in God’s Kingdom.”  A training for the Sunday School staff of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Houston, TX, August 29, 2004.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Kids will be Kids.”  A training for the Sunday School staff of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Houston, TX, August 24, 2003.
 
Forrester, M.M. “The Importance of Play.”  Presentation to the Mothers of Preschoolers group of First United Methodist Church, Houston, TX, May 14, 2002.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “FloorTime.”  A two-part workshop in the museum’s fall lecture series for parents, caregivers and teachers at the Children’s Museum of Houston, Houston, TX, October 9 & 23, 2001.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Promoting FloorTime in Foster Care.”  Presentation to the foster parents of Casa de Esperanza, a non-profit foster care organization, Houston, TX, July 23, 2001.
 
Forrester, M.M. “FloorTime and its effects on Emotional Development.”  Presentation to the Women’s Luncheon Series of First United Methodist Church, Houston, TX, May 23, 2001.
 
Forrester, M.M.  "Supporting Your Child's Emotional Development Through Play." Presentation for Children's Mental Health Week, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX, May 9, 2001.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Emotional Development in Young Children.”  Lecture for Early Childhood Development students of North Harris Community College, Houston, TX, April 26, 2001.
 
Forrester, M.M. “FloorTime and the Emotional Development of Children.” Keynote Speaker for the Child/Parent Fair at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lincoln, NE, January 29, 2001.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “FloorTime - How to Play with your Child.”  Presentation to the Southside Place Women’s Civic Club, Houston, TX, February 9, 2000.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “FloorTime: How to play with your Child.”  Presentation to the St. Ann’s Society of St. Vincent dePaul School, Houston, TX, February 1, 2000.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “FloorTime: How to Play with your Child.”  Presentation to parents and staff of Becker Early Childhood Center, Houston, TX, January 20, 2000.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “FloorTime - How to Play with your Child.”  Presentation at “The Good Life Weekend” a benefit program for Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, May 15, 1999.   
      
Forrester, M.M.  “What Children Really Need.” Presentation to parents of Presbyterian School, Houston, TX, April 22, 1999.            
      
Forrester, M.M. “Depression in Early Childhood - Symptoms and Treatment.”  Lecture to University of Texas and Texas Women’s University nursing students, Houston, TX, October 14, 1998.
      
Forrester, M.M., Hammond, M.V., and Reamer, R.  “FloorTime - Playing with your Preschooler.”  Presentation to parents and staff of Presbyterian School, Houston, TX, May 5, 1997.
 
Forrester, M.M. “Sibling Rivalry.”  Presentation to the Young President’s Organization Spouses Forum, Houston, TX, January 15, 1997.
 
Forrester, M.M.  “Emotional Development in Preschoolers.”  Presentation to the parents and staff of Westbury Christian Preschool, Houston, TX, October 8, 1996.
 
Forrester, M.M. and Warren, N.J. “The Children’s Hour: Sibling Rivalry.”  Texas Children’s Hospital Development Council Program, Houston, TX, May 30, 1996.
                     
Forrester, M.M. and DeRouen, A. “Social-Emotional and Academic Development: Contemporary Issues Facing Children and Families.”  Presentation to parents and teachers at Roberts Elementary School, Houston, TX, April 17, 1996.
 
Forrester, M.M. “Sibling Rivalry.”  Presentation for parent education program at Presbyterian School, Houston, TX, February 26, 1996.
 
Forrester, M.M. and Warren, N.J. “The Children’s Hour: Sibling Rivalry.”  Texas Children’s Hospital Development Council Program, Houston, TX, January 30, 1996.
 
Forrester, M.M. and Brown, D.L.  “Feminism and Postmodernism.”  Lecture for graduate students in Counseling Psychology at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, November 19, 1992.
 
 9601 Katy Freeway, Suite 420 • Houston, TX77024
 Phone:  713-598-3559  •  Fax:  713-461-5889  •  Email: drmmf@comcast.net
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