Public Policy Analysis Challenge

Pete Myers, Psy.D., earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in 1999, after having completed his master’s degree in the social sciences at the University of Chicago in 1992. Prior to his graduate training, he graduated from Kalamazoo College with a bachelor’s liberal arts degree with a major in psychology. He has worked in the field of mental health for the past 33 years. His background is grounded in psychodynamic and family systems-based approaches.

Most of his career had been at the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School at the University of Chicago, a residential and therapeutic school for children and adolescents with profound mental health and special educational needs. He began as one of the dormitory counselors at the school and grew over time into leadership roles including Clinical Director and Co-Executive Director. There he also served as an individual, group, and family therapist as well. While working at the school, he was additionally the Director of the Brooke Whitted Center, a residential and outpatient transitional program for emerging young adults with significant mental health challenges in need of support to launch successfully into their adult lives. His tenure at the school was formative in his experience working within a therapeutic community, the importance influence of groups and their milieu. He also has worked as a psychometrician for a private practice, outpatient therapist at the Juvenile Protection Agency in Chicago, and staff therapist at the Manhattan Psychiatric Center, and inpatient program in NYC. Dr. Myers is a board member of the Association Children’s Residential and Community, an international organization advancing quality interventions for youth of all ages and their families.

Over the course of Dr. Myers’ career, he has been invested in and strives to work with young people of all ages and their families to overcome severe, persistent, and debilitating mental health challenges that are interfering with their abilities to grow into the persons they want to be, and, to live a life that brings them healthy relationships, meaning, joy, and accomplishment. He values working with families, recognizing the importance of the interdependence between individuals and family in understanding the challenges and building a future. Beginning with his work at the school, he has been a strong leader and advocate for quality interventions for LGBTQ+ individuals, in particular gender diverse individuals, which are affirming and respectful one’s identity development. He is committed to collaborating with each person as a unique individual and values each person’s distinctive and diverse characteristics, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, and ability.

Dr. Myers served as a part-time lecturer at the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice and the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago Campus.