About our founder….
Meet Dr. Allison Ilem
Dr. Allison Ilem is a Clinical Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst specializing in Gerontology.
She founded Jaybird and Oak with a vision to build a safe and inclusive specialty practice dedicated to the psychology of aging. Jaybird and Oak serves older adults and caregivers in a way that integrates their strengths, honors their values, and is responsive to the complexity that can come with aging and transition.
Dr. Ilem earned her master’s degree in Behavior Analysis at Western Michigan University (WMU). She completed her doctorate (PhD) in Clinical Psychology from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS), then moved to Tacoma, Washington where she completed advanced postdoctoral fellowship training in Clinical Geropsychology at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake Division.
Dr. Ilem is an advocate for aging issues within the field of psychology. She served previously as the Early Career Board Member with the Psychologists in Long-Term Care national organization. She consulted on the American Psychological Association’s Advisory Panel on End-of-Life Issues, and was the recipient of an Early Career Achievement Award presented by the American Psychological Association. She recently served as the Co-Chair of the Behavioral Health Integration Workgroup for the National Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). She also partnered with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on a Resources for Integrated Care (RIC) Integrated Care Community of Practice (ICCoP) initiative focused on behavioral health integration for underserved populations.
Dr. Ilem is active with consultation and training with other professionals in the West Michigan community and beyond. Her professional interests include mental health and aging, dementia care, grief and bereavement, interdisciplinary teams, and holistic end-of-life services.
Training & Education
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2005 - Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology (Summa Cum Laude), Western Michigan University (WMU)
2008 - Master of Arts in Behavior Analysis, Western Michigan University (WMU)
2014 - Doctorate of Clinical Psychology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS)
2015 - Postdoctoral Residency, Clinical Geropsychology, Puget Sound Veterans Administration (VA)
2015 - Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Michigan (License #6301016286)
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2007 - Mandt De-escalation and Crisis Intervention Certification
2009 - Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA #1-09-5015)
2018 - Certified Instructor, Shared Decision Making in Serious Illness (SDMSI), Respecting Choices
2019 - Certified Dementia-Care Instructor, Positive Approach to Care (PAC)
2026 - Candidate for Certification in Grief Therapy as Meaning Reconstruction through Portland Institute of Loss and Transition
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2008 - Doctoral Fellow, Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities
2010 - Doctoral Fellow, Clinical Psychology Training in Integrated Care for Older Adults through Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
2011 - Doctoral Delegate, Global Student Research Delegation: Challenges and Opportunities on Cross-Cultural Research through Special Olympic World Games
2012 - Honorary Mention, Research Award, Psychologists in Long-Term Care
2015 - Early Career Achievement Award, American Psychological Association
2017 - Advisory Panel on End-of-Life Issues and Care, American Psychological Association
2020-2023 Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Community Impact Grant for Interdisciplinary Dementia Training
2024 - Resources for Integrated Care (RIC) Integrated Care Community of Practice (ICCoP) focused on Behavioral Health Integration for Vulnerable Populations, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
2025 - Co-Chair, National PACE Association Behavioral Health Integration Workgroup
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Michigan Psychological Association (MPA)
Psychologists in Long-Term Care (PLTC)
Society for Clinical Geropsychology (SCG)
American Psychological Association (APA)
Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)
The journey….
After more than a decade working in public service, Dr. Ilem founded Jaybird & Oak in 2025 with a clear vision: to create a specialty practice focused on the psychology of aging. Her mission is to offer safe, inclusive psychotherapy for older adults and those who care for them—care that builds on individual strengths, honors personal values, and responds thoughtfully to the complexities that can come with aging.
Through specialized training and experience across multiple healthcare settings, Dr. Ilem understands the unique resources, supports, and limitations of each system. She helps clients and families navigate the broader continuum of geriatric care with clarity and confidence.
Jaybird & Oak provides behavioral health care that adapts to people—not the other way around. We focus on what older adults and care partners truly need, meeting them wherever they are in their journey.
Why Geropsychology?
Many people feel unsteady when life brings unexpected challenges—and the storms of life often arrive without warning.
Aging affects far more than our physical bodies. It can shape how we think, how we relate to others, our sense of identity, and how we understand purpose and meaning. Natural changes may prompt deeper questions about why we are here, the legacies we leave, and how we want the later chapters of life to unfold.
For some, health concerns add another layer of complexity—bringing difficult news, hard decisions, and the challenge of navigating multiple doctors and care settings. This can feel confusing and overwhelming, and may lead to unanswered questions, feelings of invalidation, grief, or difficulty adjusting to new realities.
You do not have to navigate these experiences alone.
Geropsychology offers specialized support that understands the emotional, cognitive, and relational challenges that can accompany aging and health changes. A geropsychologist is trained to help people make sense of complex transitions—whether adjusting to illness, coping with loss, navigating medical decisions, or exploring questions of meaning, purpose, and identity in later life. This work is grounded in respect for autonomy, dignity, and life experience. We help people feel heard, supported, and better equipped to face decisions and changes with clarity and confidence.
What’s with the name “Jaybird & Oak”?
Oak trees are a symbol of strength, rebirth, and serenity. Oaks are steadfast and resilient during times of harsh weather. They stand strong as the seasons pass. The tree expresses its offerings and beauty differently with each season, and the roots are strong and supportive.
From little acorns come more great Oak trees. Growth happens in a way we cannot always notice day-to-day, but when we can stand back and take stock we can notice change more clearly.
Jaybirds are known for their range; they bring voice, movement, and perspective. Our work can help you say out loud what you may have carried quietly for a long time. And find new language for things you had not named before.
Jaybirds and Oak trees share an interconnected and beneficial relationship. The tree provides shade and nutrients; the Jaybirds help spread oak trees by carrying the acorns.
Therapy can help people carry forward what matters most in their lives, and plant trees that will take root and share impact long into the future.
Like a large steady oak tree offering cover, our work together can provide steadiness during difficult seasons of life. And sometimes you can find new light in a path better aligned with where you want to travel.
Strong roots, more aligned path, open skies….
At Jaybird and Oak, our core values are:
Compassion
A deep awareness and empathy for the range of experiences of others
Growth
A gradual process of deepening our understanding and expressing ourselves in healthy and constructive ways.
Openness
A whole-hearted approach to fully experiencing all emotions and authentically sharing with others.
Integrity
Adhering to strong ethical principles, being honest and trustworthy, and doing what is right for us even when it is hard.
Creativity
Creating something new by connecting existing concepts in unique ways or solving problems differently.
At Jaybird & Oak, we pay attention to both the roots and the wings…
What has grounded you over a lifetime, and what still wants to move or be spoken. Together, we can help you live a life that feels aligned with what truly matters.
— strong roots, aligned paths, open skies
— strong roots, aligned paths, open skies