Meet the provider: Sarah Tarbox-Berry, PhD

Sarah Tarbox-Berry, PhD, Department of Neurology, joined Wayne Health in 2019. Her special interests include depression, psychosis, and other psychiatric illnesses, how psychiatric illness impacts the course and outcome of neurological illness and vice versa, and how prompt identification and treatment of psychiatric illness can improve quality of life and functional independence among individuals with various neurological conditions. Dr. Tarbox-Berry is a licensed to practice Clinical Psychology in Michigan and Connecticut, and is credentialed with the National Register of Health Service Psychologists.

Dr. Tarbox-Berry received a BA in Psychology from Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. She received a Master’s in Psychology and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA. Her Predoctoral Psychology Internship was completed at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA. She completed an NRSA T32 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Functional Disability Interventions in the Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT. Dr. Tarbox-Berry has been fortunate to have outstanding mentors throughout her training. Her mentors have had a tremendous impact on her life and professional development as a clinician and researcher, and she continues to learn from these individuals. As a clinical psychologist practicing in neuropsychology, she chose Neurology because this setting offers the opportunity to work with patients experiencing a wide variety of neurological problems and psychiatric symptoms. She enjoys the challenges that come with this setting, and is continually learning and improving her skills.

Dr. Tarbox-Berry chose Wayne Health because it offers the opportunity to practice neuropsychology in a thriving, teaching-focused Department of Neurology. As the only clinical psychologist in the department, her expertise in neuropsychological evaluation and psychological treatment provides her with a unique skill set and perspective. One aspect of neuropsychological evaluation that she enjoys the most is the opportunity to work with one individual over several hours. She has the privilege of hearing an individual’s story in detail and getting to know them during the course of the evaluation.

Dr. Tarbox-Berry is continually learning from her patients. Every person’s story is unique. Important lessons include to not make assumptions about an individual’s abilities, how an individual view their symptoms, or the impact an individual’s symptoms have on their day to day lives. Clinically, there are two patients who have stuck in her mind. One was an international graduate student who came to her with severe depression, was suicidal, and only left their apartment to come to therapy. Her patient worked hard in psychotherapy for a year and ended up being able to complete their research, graduate with their doctorate, and return home with a job in hand. Another was a 19-year-old with depression, anxiety, and psychotic-like symptoms. They impressed her with their tremendous resilience despite multiple hurdles, minimal social support, and an emotionally abusive family. This patient worked hard to navigate the barriers they faced, and Dr. Tarbox-Berry watched them mature into an independent young person.

It’s difficult for Dr. Tarbox-Berry to identify what she is most proud about in her career so far. Clinically, she is proud of her breadth of clinical experience and her ability to establish rapport and trust with a range of patients. She has the tremendous privilege of psychotherapy and neuropsychology patients entrusting her with their emotional pain and vulnerability. She is humbled and grateful for this. Academically, she is very proud of her research career in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, social functioning, and early identification of young people at risk for psychotic disorders.

In her free time, Dr. Tarbox-Berry enjoys hiking, creating chainmaille jewelry, photography and raising ducks.

To request an appointment with Dr. Tarbox-Berry, visit our appointments page.