United Psychological Services Staff

Carl Eric Alsterberg, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Alsterberg, a fully licensed psychologist, has been in practice for 25 years.  He has specialized in working with the aged population, promoting the concept of graceful aging from a spiritual perspective, and providing emotional relief for both the patient and their families.  Dr. Alsterberg has been a tremendous help to patients in nursing homes understanding the process of dementia from both a psychological as well as spiritual point of view.  He also specializes in working with families who are divorced or in process of divorce, providing parenting plans and custody evaluations for the courts, and is highly skilled in working with parents in conflict helping them to work towards the best case scenario for their children.

Dr. Alsterberg has a wealth of experience as a director of clinical services with expertise in chemical dependency and substance abuse. He is dedicated to living life gracefully and with ease, keeping the larger perspective in mind, espousing the view that every day we are provided with a new opportunity for a learning adventure.  On staff at UPS, Dr. Alsterberg provides consult and therapeutic intervention for parents and children, (custody evaluations and parenting plans) diagnosis and treatment for dementia, and consult services for patients undergoing or recovering from major surgeries or life threatening illness.

Dr. Alsterberg is the author of two books: Healing and Transformation: Moving from the Ordinary to the Extraordinary, Elequent Books, New York, NY, 2009, and Life is an Adventure: A Guide to the Path of Joy, Aegina Press, 1999. You can order Dr. Alsterberg’s books by clicking on the following link: Suggested Books.

Arthur J. Lewandowski, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Lewandowski received his doctorate in clinical psychology in 1979 after having received a master’s degree in clinical psychology as well four years earlier. In addition to his more than thirty years of private practice, Dr. Lewandowski has served his profession in many significant ways including published research, service on a number of boards and committees, speaking and as an educator. In 2001, he was recognized by his peers at the Michigan Psychological Association with the Distinguished Psychologist Award.

At United Psychological Services, Dr. Lewandowski provides therapy and counseling for patients and their families. In addition he directs the program for social security evaluations as well as psychological and dementia assessments.

Deborah A. Rich, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Rich is a fully licensed psychologist practicing for almost 20 years with a specialization in the field of neuropsychology.  She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Pediatric Neuropsychology at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.  Her pre-doctoral internship was in Neuropsychology for both children and adults.  Dr. Rich has an excellent reputation teaching graduate and undergraduate students, psychology interns, medical students and residents at local universities and colleges for over ten years in psychological and neuropsychological assessment.

Dr. Rich has maintained a private practice as a neuropsychologist offering treatment and diagnosis for all ages, although specializing in children and adolescents.  She has provided consult services for an alternative high school in the area, identifying and providing treatment services for children "at risk".  She spent a year with the military treating PTSD and blast trauma. Highly published in peer reviewed journals Dr. Rich has presented research at regional and national conferences.   On staff at UPS, Dr. Rich provides neuropsychological assessment, diagnostic and treatment services for all ages ranges with a specialization in pediatrics.

Karen Brickner, M.A.
Limited Licensed Psychologist

A Michigan limited license permits practice under the supervision of a Michigan licensed psychologist.

Supervised by Dr. Carl Eric Alsterberg/psychologist

Karen is very involved in the brain training program at United Psychological Services with an emphasis on treating our patients affected by dementia, traumatic brain injury, tumor or aneurysm. Karen has knowledge of basic sleep disorders and provides cognitive behavioral training for sleep onset and sleep maintenance insomnia as well as sleep hygiene. She has more than twenty years of experience in many practice settings with a special emphasis on individuals, couples and families experiencing divorce. She also provides therapies for victims of sexual abuse, mood disorders, panic disorders, marital therapy, bereavement and dual-diagnosis substance abuse.

Her experience includes psychological testing along with career counseling and evaluation.

She was awarded a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wayne State University.

Gwendolyn Brimble
Limited Licensed Psychologist

A Michigan limited license permits practice under the supervision of a Michigan licensed psychologist.

Supervised by Dr. Carl Eric Alsterberg/psychologist

Gwendolyn Brimble has achieved dual master’s degrees; an M.A. in Marriage and Family Psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and an M.S. in the Philosophy of Mental Disorders from King’s College in London, England in addition to an undergraduate degree as a double major in psychology and communication from the University of Michigan, Dearborn.

Ms. Brimble’s clinical experience is concentrated in the area of marriage, family and individual therapy as well as psychological testing and evaluation. She has also participated in a number of significant scientific studies.

At United Psychological Services she is very involved in our cognitive training program and provides therapy, testing and evaluation with a particular focus on children and adolescents as well as the aged population to address issues that result from dementia such as memory loss, executive reasoning problems and insomnia.

Danielle Garges
Limited Licensed Psychologist

A Michigan limited license permits practice under the supervision of a Michigan licensed psychologist

Supervised by Dr. Deborah Rich/neuropsychologist and Dr. Arthur Lewandowski/psychologist

Danielle Garges is a graduate of the University of Michigan where she obtained a master’s degree in clinical health psychology. She has a specialty in health psychology as well as specialized training and interest in neuropsychological testing and evaluation. In addition, Ms. Garges has research experience in clinical psychology and psychoneurocardiology.

At United Psychological Services, Danielle is involved with neuropsychological testing and evaluation. She is also participating in ongoing research projects at the clinic relating to the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD and the efficacy of the cognitive training programs for TBI and dementia.

Christina Isaacs
Limited Licensed Psychologist

A Michigan limited license permits practice under the supervision of a Michigan licensed psychologist

Supervised by Dr. Carl Eric Alsterberg/psychologist

Christina Isaacs has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families as a Limited Licensed Psychologist for 16 years. She has a Master of Arts Degree in clinical psychology from The University of Dayton, with a specialty in child and adolescent services. Throughout her career she has assisted individuals and families by identifying issues and providing therapeutic intervention. She has extensive experience working with individuals affected by autism spectrum disorders and their families both in outpatient practice, school settings and as a group therapist for a local parent support group. She also enjoys providing individual therapy for children, adolescents and adults including marital therapy.

At United Psychological Services, Mrs. Isaacs provides psychotherapy for children especially those diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome or some form of autism. She works with the children and their families on social skills, developing social emotional intelligence and also conducts cognitive training to address executive reasoning, visual perceptual and memory deficits as well as issues resulting from brain injury and frontal lobe disorders. Mrs. Isaacs works with the neuropsychological team at United Psychological Services in the testing and diagnosis of disorders falling on the autism spectrum.

Christina Johnson
Limited Licensed Psychologist

A Michigan limited license permits practice under the supervision of a Michigan licensed psychologist

Supervised by Dr. Carl Eric Alsterberg/psychologist

Christina Johnson’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy. She is experienced in substance abuse issues as well as general mental health.

She is an adjunct faculty member at Macomb Community College, teaching a variety of psychology courses.

At United Psychological Services Ms. Johnson provides general therapy to all age categories with a special emphasis on the development of study skills and addressing motivation issues associated with the ADD/ADHD child, adolescent or adult; grief counseling and therapies relating to issues in gay relationships and depressed males.

Ms. Johnson is active in our cognitive training non-medication treatment program that addresses issues associated with ADD/ADHD and anxiety as well as our behavior modification program for insomnia.

Leigh M. Jouppi
Temporary Limited Licensed Psychologist

A Michigan limited license permits practice under the supervision of a Michigan licensed psychologist

Supervised by Dr. Carl Eric Alsterberg/psychologist

Leigh Jouppi is a temporary limited licensed psychologist. She has attained a Master’s degree in Clinical Behavioral Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Western Michigan University

At United Psychological Services, Leigh provides therapy across the age ranges with a focus on anxiety and depression. She is a behavioral specialist; applying her experience and techniques to breaking down and retraining targeted behaviors in many areas and with all ages. She has applied these skills at our clinic to a special program for school children struggling with ADD/ADHD. This specialized program developed by Leigh, focuses on organizational skills with an emphasis on essential routines such as morning and bedtime routine in addition to school routines such as homework and study. She also provides cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Leigh has applied her behavioral techniques to working with the traumatic brain injured and is active in our brain training program.

Laura M. Stephens
Limited Licensed Psychologist

A Michigan limited license permits practice under the supervision of a Michigan licensed psychologist.

Supervised by Dr. Carl Eric Alsterberg/psychologist

Laura has significant and wide ranging experience with children with special needs; in particular those with developmental delays. She has specialized training in Applied Behavior Analysis: ABA is the scientific analysis of the function of behavior which has been empirically demonstrated to be highly effective with children challenged with autism/autism spectrum disorders. She has also been instrumental as a college instructor and liaison with educators in understanding and promoting learning with special needs children through behavior based instruction.

At United Psychological Services, Laura administers both the Cognitive Training and the Interactive Metronome programs in addition to the range of traditional therapies and specialized ABA therapy to children of all ages, beginning with the very young.

Janice Zajac
Limited Licensed Psychologist

A Michigan limited license permits practice under the supervision of a Michigan licensed psychologist

Supervised by Dr. Carl Eric Alsterberg/psychologist and Dr. Deborah Rich/neuropsychologist

Janice Zajac has more than twenty-five years of experience as a school psychologist. She is particularly skilled in testing and evaluating school aged children relating to various learning and developmental disabilities as well as the diagnostic tools that the school and state use to evaluate eligibility for academic accommodations. This depth of experience and understanding is an invaluable resource for parents of students struggling in school. She provides an essential resource at United Psychological Services for parents unaware of or confused by school accommodations and will act as liaison at school meetings with parents and school staff to work toward the best result for the student. She provides support and intervention advice for parents and children struggling with school issues.

Ms. Zajac has a broad depth of therapeutic experience with school children of all ages including but not limited to crisis intervention, behavior modification plans and social skills training. At our clinic, she provides these services in addition to participating in neuropsychological testing.

At United Psychological Services, Ms. Zajac also provides therapy for females working through grief processes such as divorce, empty nest syndrome and the loss of a loved one.

She is a limited license psychologist and received both her bachelor’s degree in education and Specialist in School and Community Psychology from Wayne State University.