Gail Parker, Ph.D., C-IAYT, E-RYT 500
drgailparker@gmail.com
http://www.drgailparker.com
Profile
Gail Parker, Ph.D., C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is a retired psychologist and a certified yoga therapist. She is a faculty member in the Beaumont School of Yoga Therapy in the department of Integrative Medicine at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak Michigan, where she teaches mind/body strategies for reducing stress and healing emotional trauma to aspiring yoga therapists. Her broad expertise in behavioral health and wellness include forty years as a practicing psychologist. Dr. Parker is a life long practitioner of yoga and is well known for her pioneering efforts to blend psychology, yoga, and meditation as effective self-care strategies that can enhance emotional balance, and contribute to the overall health and well being of practitioners. Dr. Parker has a special interest in utilizing and teaching Restorative Yoga and meditation as self-care practices for managing ethnic and race based traumatic stress. She is a nationally and internationally renowned media personality, educator, author, and thought leader.
Dr. Parker was a faculty member in the ground breaking Co-Curricular Yoga Therapy Program at Wayne State University School of Medicine, teaching Yoga Therapy to first and second year medical students as part of their academic curriculum. She was an adjunct faculty member in the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, teaching “Effective Managerial Coaching and Counseling” to executives for ten years, where she was also an Executive Coach customizing and conducting leadership development programs through the Department of Executive Education.
Dr. Parker has appeared as a psychologist expert on local and nationally syndicated talk shows, including seven appearances on the “Oprah Show”. She was featured as a health and wellness expert on the benefits of yoga and meditation, in a nationally syndicated PBS health talk show series called “Feel Grand”, hosted by Emmy Award winning actress, Jane Seymour.
In 2006 Dr. Parker appeared in the inaugural edition and three subsequent editions of “Who’ Who in Black Detroit”, a publication celebrating African American achievements. In 2011 she was honored by the Michigan Chronicle as a “Woman of Excellence” and is featured in volume one of Vital Signs, A Real Times Media tribute to African American achievements in the health care industry. She serves on the Michigan Department of Civil Rights
MDCR Race4Equity task force, whose mission is to combat health care disparities in Southeast Michigan.
Dr. Parker has authored The Art and Skill of Restorative Yoga: A Self-Care Guide, and Restorative Yoga for Resilience: A Practitioner’s and Teacher’s Guide, and a blog called Taking Yoga Off Your Mat. She is a featured author in the book Yoga Rising: 30 Empowering Stories From Yoga Renegades for Every Body. She is married and the mother of one son.
Educational Background
Bachelor of Arts, History major/Psychology minor, 1967
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology, 1972
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Doctor of Philosophy, Counseling Psychology, 1976
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Professional Background
Fully licensed as a Psychologist, 1976
Credentialed Yoga Alliance RYT 2002
Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, 2006
Certified IAYT Yoga Therapist, 2017
Empowered by Yoga, LLC, 2015 – Present
Yoga educator, Restorative Yoga, meditation teacher and coach, speaker, workshop facilitator, and author.
PSYCHOLOGIST, PARKER COUNSELING AND CONSULTING SERVICES P.C., BINGHAM FARMS, MI, 1993-2015
President and founder of Parker Counseling and Consulting Services, P.C., a private psychology practice whose foundational work is based on helping clients develop and maintain a healthy psychology relative to mind, body, and spirit. The practice offers counseling to individuals, couples, and families interested in learning how to develop strategies for living psychologically, physically, and spiritually lifestyles. The focus of the counseling offered is on wellness and prevention. The goal is to support clients in fulfilling their greatest potential. The practice also offers coaching and consulting services to executives and businesses seeking to maximize their potential. A special emphasis of her consulting practice includes teaching a unique dialogue process that enhances productive community and builds bridges to understanding within organizations and groups. Retired from Parker Counseling and Consulting Services in 2015.
MEDIA PSYCHOLOGIST, LOCAL AND NATIONAL, 1981-PRESENT
Appears as a psychologist expert on a variety of local and nationally syndicated television and radio talk shows, including seven appearances on the Oprah Show. Has appeared as a psychologist feature reporter on local and national newscasts with responsibility for creating feature stories including writing scripts as well as delivering the product on air. Has been a script consultant on nationally featured documentaries for the Public Broadcast System. In July, 2005 participated as a psychologist expert in a PBS broadcast, Reclaiming the Village, a series of broadcasts addressing parenting issues in the African American community. Hosted a radio talk show called Ask the Psychologist on WXYT radio in Detroit, Michigan from 1982-1990. Is a frequent psychologist expert on the popular radio talk show Senior Solutions on WGPR radio in Detroit, Michigan.
EXECUTIVE COACH, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR, MI, 2008-PRESENT
Coach’s executives who attend the Ross School of Business customized leadership development programs offered through the Department of Executive Education.
INSTRUCTOR, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR, MI, 1994-2004
Taught Effective Managerial Coaching and Counseling, Leadership Development Through Personal Transformation, and Diversity Awareness, in the Ross School of Business Department of Executive Education.
CONSULTANT, NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR COMMUNITY AND JUSTICE, (NCCJ), DETROIT, MI 1998-2004
Designed and conducted teacher education workshops throughout the state of Michigan in school districts, grades K-12, and universities, dealing with issues related to diversity including: Detroit, West Bloomfield, Royal Oak, Berkley, Birmingham, Grosse Pointe, Farmington Hills, Novi, Dearborn, and Walled Lake public schools, Ferris State University, Central Michigan University, Wayne State University, and the University of Detroit-Mercy. Developed and implemented a curriculum for educators in these districts interested in learning how to deal with issues of diversity within the school environment, including a facilitator training for educators who want to teach the curriculum to other educators and support staff within the school setting. Developed and implemented a Human Relations Leadership Curriculum for High School Students interested in learning how to deal with issues of diversity, human relations, and cross cultural communication within their school environment, and a curriculum for faculty to teach diversity leadership skills to students.
Designed and conducted training for residents of metropolitan Detroit interested in learning how to facilitate dialogues related to various aspects of diversity within their communities.
Designed and conducted workshops to foster and support diversity awareness and inclusion which were delivered to business and organizations within the metropolitan Detroit area including: Ford Motor Company, the Detroit Convention Bureau, the Detroit Chamber of Commerce, the Detroit Medical Center, and Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital.
PSYCHOLOGIST, PSYCHOLOGICAL INSTITUTES OF MICHIGAN, FRANKLIN, MI, 1990-1993
Psychologist, private practice. Adults, Individual, and group psychotherapy.
DIRECTOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, SALINE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, SALINE, MI 1987-1990
Director of psychological services at the Millrose Women’s Health Center. Responsibilities included individual and group psychotherapy, supervision of limited licensed psychologists, development of standards of care for outpatient psychotherapy patients, community outreach through lectures and workshops.
INSTRUCTOR, OAKLAND UNIVERSITY, ROCHESTER, MI 1978
Taught Group Procedures in Counseling to Master degree level student in the College of Education, Guidance and Counseling Department. Course content included group theory, procedures, and skills.
PSYCHOLOGIST AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY, BIRMINGHAM, MI 1976-1986
CO-founder and CO-owner of the Center for Contemporary Psychology, and outpatient psychiatric clinic. Conducted a clinical practice, which included individual, couples, and group counseling. Was responsible for supervision of therapists as well as administrative duties.
PSYCHOTHERAPIST, LEE SHULMAN AND ASSOCIATES, ROYAL OAK, MI 1973-1976
Psychotherapist, private practice. Individual and group psychotherapy.
STAFF PSYCHOLOGIST, WOMEN’S CONTINUUM CENTER, OAKLAND UNIVERSITY, ROCHESTER, MI 1974-1975
Personal and career counseling with adult women. Trained paraprofessionals to lead personal growth counseling groups. Supervised peer group counselors.
COUNSELOR, WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY, DETROIT, MI, 1972-1974
Mental health counselor in University Counseling Services. Trained paraprofessional peer group counselors.
COUNSELOR, VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES, DETROIT, MI 1971-1972
Career counseling and job placement for clients with psychiatric disabilities.
SOCIAL WELFARE CASEWORKER, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, PITTSBURGH, PA AND DETROIT, MI 1968-1971
Community Activities, 1977-Present
Steering Committee, Foster Care Youth Leadership Conference, Oakland University, (Rochester, MI, 2009-present); Board of Directors Imago Relationships International, (NYC, 2008-2010); The Metropolitan Detroit Teen Conference Coalition, Wayne State University; (Detroit, MI, 1983-present), Vice Chairperson of the City of Detroit Civil Service Commission (1994-1995); Advisory Board, Center for Humanistic Studies, (Detroit, MI); Advisory Board, American Red Cross; (Detroit, MI); Board of Directors; Merrill Palmer Institute (Detroit, MI); Advisory; Rehabilitation Institute, Detroit Medical Center, (Detroit, MI)
Awards and Honors
Women of Wayne Award; Women in Perspective Award, (YWCA); Metropolitan Detroit Teen Conference Coalition; John Fitzgerald Kennedy Award (Coette Club); Spirit of Detroit Award (Detroit City Council); Featured in Who’s Who In Black Detroit, Inaugural, Fifth and Sixth Editions, Vital Signs, Inaugural Edition, Women of Excellence Awards (Real Times Media),
Professional Organizations
American Psychological Association; Michigan Psychological Association; Association of Black Psychologists; Imago Relationships International; Yoga Alliance; International Association of Yoga Therapists
Publications
Doctoral Dissertation: Psychological Openness and the Facilitative Conditions: An Evaluation of a Selection and Training Procedure for Paraprofessional Personal Growth Group Leaders
Waters, E., Fink, S., Goodman, J., and Parker, G., Strategies for Training Adult Counselors. The Counseling Psychologist, 1976, 6, 61-65
Parker, G., and Barton, E., The Game of Change: A discussion Guide on Race Relations, 2009, NCAA Publishers
Taking Yoga Off Your Mat™ https://drgailparker.wordpress.com
The Art and Skill of Restorative Yoga: available on website @ drgailparker.com
Restorative Yoga for Resilience: A Teacher/Practitioner’s Guide: available on website @ drgailparker.com
Yoga Rising: 30 Empowering Stories of Yoga Renegades: Llewellyen Publications, 2018
Recent Lectures, and Workshops
Workshop Presenter, Yoga As A Peace Practice, Inaugural Teacher Training, 2018
Plenary Speaker and Workshop Presenter, SYTAR Symposium for Yoga Therapy Annual Conference, 2018
Workshop Facilitator, Introduction to Restorative Yoga for Raced Based Traumatic Stress Injury, February 2018
Workshop Facilitator, Restorative Yoga for Resilience:Healing Race Based Trauma for People of Color, November, 2017
Workshop Facilitator, Self-Care is the New Health Care: Restorative Yoga for Resiliency, October, 2017
Keynote Speaker, General Motors Medical Group, US Operations Health and Well-Being Conference: Mindful Motion – October, 2017
Workshop Presenter Black Yoga Teacher Alliance, Kripalu Health and Wellness Center, Black Yoga Teacher Conference, 2016, 2017
Presenter at the International Association of Yoga Therapists, SYTAR Conference, 2017
Plenary Speaker at The Omega Service Council Conference, Omega Institute, 2017
Workshop Presenter, Maya Breuer’s Yoga Retreat for Women of Color™, Kripalu Health and Wellness Center, 2012, 2013, and 2015.
Workshop Presenter, Michigan Forum for African Americans in Philanthropy, Executive Presence, January, 2013,
Workshop Presenter, Because You’re Worth It: A Weekend Retreat for Women of Color, June, 2010
Workshop Presenter, Oakland University, Rochester, The Cherish Thomas Foster Care Youth Leadership Conference, Rising Above the Odds Against Me, ‘Cuz You’re Worth It, May 8, 2010
Workshop Presenter, Imago Relationships International Annual Conference, Building Bridges to Understanding. A workshop designed to aid therapists in healing psychological wounds related to the trauma of racial discrimination, October 24, 2009
Commencement Speaker, The University of Michigan Black Celebratory Graduation Ceremony, Fulfilling Your Potential in a World of Unlimited Possibility, May 2, 2009,
Presenter, NCAA Diversity and Inclusion Game of Change Event, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, April 5, 2009
Workshop Presenter, The University of Michigan Cherish Thomas Conference for Foster Care Students, Overcoming the Odds Against Me, All About You, April 25, 2009
Keynote Speaker, New Mexico Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling, Annual Conference, Counseling as a Spiritual Path, The Healing Power of Presence: Cultivating a Healing Consciousness, March 4, 2009
Keynote Speaker, Michigan Women’s Psychological Association, Psychotherapy as a Spiritual Path, 2008
Keynote Speaker, Detroit Waldorf School, Annual Parent Conference, Conscious Parenting, 2008
Taking Yoga Off Your Mat™ 