Meet the Therapeutic Options, Inc. Team
Michael Partie, Director of Therapeutic Options, Inc., did his undergraduate work in psychology at the University of South Florida and his graduate work in psychoanalytic studies at the University of Sheffield. Michael has served as a behavior analyst serving young people and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, and adults with serious and persistent mental illness. Michael also served as a psychiatric social worker in a mobile psychiatric crisis service. From 1995 until 2001 Michael was chief patient abuse and neglect investigator and administrator for a state system serving individuals with developmental disabilities. It was during this time that he founded Therapeutic Options, Inc. and began teaching the Therapeutic Options curriculum throughout North America and the Pacific Rim.
In 2003 Michael developed the Positive Behavior Intervention Certificate Program for the University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies. In 2005 TASH awarded Michael its Positive Approaches award in recognition of his exemplary training and technical assistance for professionals from the mental health, developmental disabilities, education, rehabilitation, and early intervention communities.
Michael holds multiple black belts, including a fourth degree black belt in hapkido, and has nearly twenty years of formal training in aikido, which has been called the "martial art of reconciliation" because of its ethical commitment to neutralizing violence without escalating conflict. This background, combined with his varied experiences in human services, provided a unique perspective in developing the Therapeutic Options™ curriculum.
Michael teaches and provides on-site technical assistance in Therapeutic Options™ and Positive Behavior Support
Mark Bernstein is a Therapeutic Options™ Master Instructor. Mark has been involved in the field of disabilities for nearly 30 years, as a direct support professional, administrator, consultant and trainer. For many years, Mark served as the senior trainer for the community education unit at the University of Delaware Center for Disabilities. Mark provides consultation and training to human services staff in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey through his private business, Mark One Communications.
Mark has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the State University of New York College at Cortland and a Master's Degree in Experimental Psychology from the State University of New York College at Oswego.
Mark teaches and provides on-site technical assistance in Therapeutic Options™, Positive Behavior Support, Self-Determination and various staff development topics.
Shemille Brown is a Therapeutic Options™ Master Instructor. Shemille graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Psychology with an emphasis on child development. She completed her Masters in Social Work from Smith School for Social Work in Northampton, Massachusetts. She has 10 years of experience providing therapy and working with children and adolescents in a range of settings including Residential Treatment Centers, Therapeutic Foster Homes, Classrooms, Outdoor Educational Programs and Athletic Facilities.
Shemille provides trainings, workshops and consultations to parents, foster parents, mental health workers, federal, state and local employees, educators and counselors around the nation through her private business BSquared Training and Consultation Services. Shemille teaches and provides onsite consultation in Therapeutic Options™.
Boyd Fleming is a Therapeutic Options™ Master Instructor and Clinical Skills Specialist. Since 1987 Boyd has worked in direct care, clinical, supervisory and administrative capacities in a variety of inpatient and residential mental health setting. He currently serves as adjunct faculty in the department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Delaware.
Boyd completed his undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University and has a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy from Naropa University. He is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and has extensive experience in the application of Structural, Solution Focused, and Narrative approaches to residential settings. Boyd teaches and provides onsite consultation in Therapeutic Options™ and clinical skills.
Tracy Mann directs and oversees communications and outreach for Therapeutic Options, Inc., including the website, marketing materials, and outreach programs. Tracy has been working in the disabilities field for over eight years in a variety of roles. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Urban Affairs and Public Policy. Tracy has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from La Salle University and a Master of Arts in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware. Her research interests are access to health care for people with disabilities, self advocacy, and media/communication portrayals of people with disabilities, among many other interests.