Emily L. Sportsman, PhD
Dr. Sportsman enjoys a diverse career as a fully Licensed Psychologist in Michigan and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). She specializes in the assessment and treatment of adolescents and adults to support social-emotional well-being, academic success, and life transitions. She also provides parent support and guidance.
She graduated with honors from Lawrence University in Wisconsin and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society . Since earning her PhD in School Psychology from Michigan State University in 2011, Dr. Sportsman has worked in a variety of school-based roles, including system-level leadership, and has over 13 years of experience as a high school psychologist. This background provides her with extensive knowledge of school systems and student supports, including Section 504 Plans, special education evaluations, and IEP processes.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Sportsman enjoys teaching and supervising child and adolescent psychiatry fellows at Michigan State University, as well as providing supervision to limited licensed psychologists and school psychology interns. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists.
CLINICAL APPROACH
Dr. Sportsman is known for her warm, calming presence and collaborative approach. She strives to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel comfortable being themselves and working toward meaningful change. She works closely with clients to identify goals, build on strengths, and create practical strategies that support emotional well-being, healthy relationships, academic success, and daily functioning.
She has experience supporting teens and adults navigating anxiety, school stress, life transitions and adjustment, identity development, emotional difficulties, and challenges related to learning and executive functioning. Her approach is diversity-affirming and grounded in respect for each client’s unique experiences, strengths, and values. She also provides psychoeducational assessment to support diagnostic clarity and treatment planning.
Her therapeutic approach is flexible and individualized, drawing on evidence-based strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Executive Function Coaching. She also incorporates support for social connection, communication skills, and relationship coaching, recognizing healthy relationships as an important component of mental health and well-being.
Dr. Sportsman values working collaboratively with parents and families to support their children’s social-emotional, academic, and behavioral growth through psychoeducation, coaching, and school collaboration.
Outside of work, she enjoys violin, travel, books, movies, chess, and German language. Most of all, she values time with her husband and two children.
CREDENTIALS
Licensed Psychologist
Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)
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