The Mary A. Rackham Institute (MARI) is comprised of three units that each focus on a different aspect of mental, developmental and literacy health.
We are open to all; you do not have to be affiliated with the University to access our services. If you’re not sure where to begin, browse the topics below and see which program might be best for you.
University Center for Language and Literacy (UCLL)
UCLL offers intensive language and literacy evaluations and intervention services for children, youth, young adults, and adults. Learn more about UCLL
University Center for the Child and Family (UCCF)
UCCF provides mental health services to children, couples, and families through individual and group therapies and evaluations. Learn more about UCCF
University Psychological Clinic
The Psych Clinic provides mental health services for those who are 18 years and older and includes individual and group therapy. Learn more about the Psychological Clinic
Services offered across the Institute help address:
Everyone feels anxious or depressed at times in life. What can distinguish a disorder from a general down time, however, is depth and length of the feeling, cause (if there is no out of the ordinary event like a death in the family), as well as how it affects your life. Depression and anxiety can both be debilitating. The good news is they are highly treatable.
While it may not seem like a natural partnering because of their different natures, depression and anxiety often go hand-in-hand. They can represent opposite extremes; where depression can be the absence of caring or a numbness, anxiety can be an overabundance of caring and hypersensitivity.
We offer individual, couples and family counseling as well as group therapy to address the various forms of depression and anxiety in adults, adolescents and children. Our approach is to build client skills that help in their daily lives. To learn more about what we can do for you, click a topic.
Treating Anxiety
Group Therapy and Individual Therapy for Adults
The Psychological Clinic offers individual and group therapy for social anxiety, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders, phobias, and more. Care begins with an assessment to gain insight into your anxiety and then offers several options to help you treat the anxiety in a way that works best for you. Individual and group therapies are offered.
The University Center for the Child and Family offers counseling for children with anxiety related to life events and transitions, moods and behaviors from early childhood to later adolescence.
Treating Depression
The Psychological Center clinicians assess individuals for acute depression, chronic depression, or dysthymia and then create a treatment plan designed to specifically address the type of depression you may be experiencing. We offer individual and group therapy, and often recommend that a client partake in both kinds of treatment.
For Children
If you notice signs of anxiety or depression in your child, then we encourage you to take the first step in addressing those concerns by contacting UCCF for a consultation.
Attention and learning problems can create challenges for children, teens, adults and families. Undiagnosed attention and learning problems can lead to academic underachievement, frustration, anxiety/depression, and other negatives.
For Adults
Attention and learning problems can look quite different in adults and can manifest differently in men and women. If you suspect you have an unaddressed attention issue like ADHD or learning disability, we have some treatment options.
For Children and Teenagers
Our evaluation and consultation services are designed to help children and teens get back on track at school and in other important parts of their lives. If you are concerned that your child may have an attention, language, or learning problem, we encourage you to make an appointment for a comprehensive assessment.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social-communication and restricted interests and behaviors. If you recognize any of the signs of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in your child or if you are in need of a reevaluation, we will perform a diagnostic assessment to help you determine next steps. Our ASD services are in high demand and wait lists may apply.
Autism can manifest on a spectrum, so signs may vary from individual to individual. Common characteristics that may indicate the need for an assessment include:
- Inappropriate social interaction
- Poor eye contact
- Compulsive and impulsive behavior
- Repetitive movements, self-harm, or persistent repetition of words or actions
- Learning disability or speech delay in a child
- Intense interest in a limited number of things or problems paying attention
- Inability to read others’ emotions
- Anxiety and depression
- Sensitivity to sounds and fabrics
- Verbal or motor tics
We all have stress in our lives, though our reasons for feeling this way may differ.
Groups and Workshops
The University Psychological Clinic offers therapy groups focusing on specific stress symptoms, such as:
UCCF offers groups and workshops for children and parents to help ease stress at times of transition or when faced with parenting and school challenges.
Individual Counseling
The Psych Clinic offers one-on-one counseling for those experiencing a high amount of stress. We treat clients who are experiencing high stress situations — whether that’s a demanding graduate program, caring for a dependent loved one or preparing for stress in fieldwork in a new country. The UCCF offers counseling for children and families.
The University Center for Language and Literacy specializes in language issues for both adults and children.
- University of Michigan Aphasia Program (UMAP)
Our University of Michigan Aphasia Program is known around the world for the intensive and effective treatment of aphasia. - General Language and Literacy Services
- Help for a child
Times of change — even really positive change — can cause upset. Transition smoothly from one stage to the next in your career, relationships, and life challenges. Our clinicians create individualized treatment plans according to the transition and difficulties that each client is facing.
The University Psychological clinic helps clients with transitions such as:
• Starting or losing a job
• Starting or ending a relationship
• Moving to a college campus
• Health-related changes
• Resiliency when studying or traveling abroad
• Grief or loss, often associated with the loss of a loved one
• Retirement
• Aging
We offer services for couples who are contemplating marriage, having or adopting children, separation, or divorce.
The Family
At the University Center for the Child and Family (UCCF), we also see families with children who are experiencing life transitions such as death of a family member or close friend, family moves, and other family transitions or stressors.
At UCCF, we often work with families to support them through the changes and challenges that can arise during their child’s development. There are a number of services available at UCCF to help parents having difficulties with their young and teenage children, in everyday activities, ranging from potty training, temper tantrums, and mood to the child’s behavior and school functioning.
Children
We encourage parents to contact us for help if their children:
• Have difficulty making friends
• Have social or academic problems in school
• Are anxious or depressed
• Seem irritable, angry, or withdrawn
These difficulties could be associated with adjustment to a life transition or they might be associated with other psychological concerns. Our experienced clinical staff is ready to support your family throughout your child’s growth and development.
Couples often fear that coming to counseling will ruin or end their relationships, but most people who get relationship counseling improve upon their problems and learn how to resolve conflicts within their relationships constructively. Our clients often find therapy to be a safe place to discuss their issues and find the tools we provide to be helpful in moving forward in their relationships.
Treating Relationship Problems
We offer counseling and therapy for married and non-married couples and have experiences working with many diverse couples on resolving problems in relationships. Couples therapy often involves meeting with a therapist to understand and resolve relationship difficulties. Therapy focused on talking through the difficulties that these couples face can be very helpful for resolving relationship problems.
Both the University Center for the Child and Family and the University Psychological Clinic offer help for relationship issues.