TPI was founded by psychologists (see below) with a combination of practice experience totaling over 120 years. Our founders and additional consultants come from diverse backgrounds in group and solo practice and having practiced in and out of managed care. We specialize in many niches such as divorce services, substance abuse, assessment, etc. We have expertise in the use of technology, marketing, structuring a practice and ethics. We also call on a team of consultants for specialty projects.
We are here to help you give and get the most from your practice.
Lauren Behrman, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who has been solely in independent practice in New York City and Westchester for the past 17 years. Lauren brings 28 years of postdoctoral experience to The Practice Institute as a clinician, independent practitioner and mother of 3. Her perspective on mothers in practice is a valuable contribution to the TPI community. Lauren has reinvented her practice several times, and built a thriving practice that is free of managed care. In 2001, she was responsible for creating the New York Chapter of Association for Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). Lauren is also a current board member of the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals (NYACP). Having trained as a mediator, parent coordinator and collaborative professional, Lauren is well versed in helping build systems of care that utilize the diverse skill sets of mental health clinicians outside of the insurance network while collaborating with other professionals. She has years of experience as a clinical supervisor and is available as a mentor and trainer to clinicians and practice groups. Lauren can be reached at laurenbehrmanphd@thepracticeinstitute.com
Steven Walfish, Ph.D.Steven Walfish, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and has been in independent practice in Atlanta. He brings 28 years of full-time experience to The Practice Institute as a clinician, practice owner, and entrepreneur. He is the Editor of the Independent Practitioner, the Bulletin of APA Division 42 (Psychologists in Independent Practice). In 2009 he received the Division 42 Award for Mentoring. He is co-author (with Jeff Barnett) of Financial Success in Mental Health Practice: Essential Tools and Strategies for Practitioners (APA Books, 2008) and Editor of Earning a Living Outside of Managed Mental Health Care: 50 Ways to Expand Your Practice (APA Books, 2010). His next book (co-authored with Jeff Barnett) Billing and Collecting for Your Mental Health practice: Effective Strategies and Ethical Practice, will be published by APA Books in 2011. He has presented workshops at national and regional meetings on the topics of “Financial Success in Independent Practice: Practical Strategies and Ethical Practice” and “Using Science and Entrepreneurship to Identify Practice Markets and Opportunities.” Steve can be reached at stevewalfishphd@thepracticeinstitute.com
Pauline Wallin, Ph.D. Pauline is in private practice in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. She is President of APA Division 46, Media Psychology, and is on the APA Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice. (CAPP.) She is a two-time recipient of the “Psychologist in the Media” award from the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. Since 1997 Pauline has taught workshops on using the internet for research and for marketing. She holds monthly marketing Q&A sessions for mental health professionals and coaches, and has also presented seminars at conferences of professional marketers. Pauline can be reached at paulinewallinphd@thepracticeinstitute.com
Jeff Zimmerman, Ph.D., ABPP: With approximately 30 years of professional experience, Jeff has been in independent practice virtually his entire career. Jeff began in solo practice and was a founding and managing partner in a group practice with at one time 7 offices and 20 professional staff. He co-administered a managed care contract with over 200 affiliated professionals and has developed niche practices out of managed care (divorce specialty and organizational consulting). He consults on practice development and management and building niche practices. He also provides training in divorce mediation and co-parenting with high conflict divorcing parents. His co-authored book “The Co-parenting Survival Guide” has sold over 27,000 copies to date and is a resource for divorce professionals and their clients. Jeff can be reached at jeffzimmermanphd@thepracticeinstitute.com
