
Dr. Jacek Debiec
M.D., Ph.D., M.Phil., D.Phil., F.A.P.A.
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Board-certified psychiatrist with over 30 years of clinical, academic, and research experience
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One of the few practicing MD, PhD, DPhil psychiatrists with expertise in neuroscience of emotions, neuroplasticity, and brain development
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Fulbright Fellow and former University of Michigan professor of psychiatry and neuroscience
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Specialist in child, teen, and college mental health, including ADHD, anxiety and mood disorders, trauma, OCD, autism, and school-related transitions and changes
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Provides highly personalized care, blending psychotherapy, neuroscience, nutritional and lifestyle advice, and thoughtful medication management
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Warm, attentive, root-cause-focused approach
About
Dr. Jacek
Debiec
Dr. Jacek Debiec is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and psychotherapist based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. With over 30 years of clinical experience and extensive academic training, he offers comprehensive evaluations, advanced psychopharmacology, and a wide range of evidence-based psychotherapies
His clinical approach is shaped by decades of research on fear, anxiety, trauma, memory, attachment, and emotional development, allowing him to integrate neuroscience and psychotherapy into personalized, holistic care for every patient. Dr. Debiec works with individuals across the lifespan, with a particular focus on children, teenagers, and young adults.
Areas of Expertise
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Comprehensive evaluation and treatment for emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges in children and teens. Expertise includes parenting struggles, emotional development concerns, school-related issues, anxiety, selective mutism, depression, mood disorders, OCD, PTSD, trauma and transgenerational trauma, sleep difficulties, ADHD, neurodevelopmental disorders, Tourette syndrome, autism, attachment issues, and early relational trauma. Care integrates decades of clinical experience with award-winning neuroscience research in affective, developmental, and behavioral neuroscience.
College Student & Young Adult Mental Health
Specialized support for undergraduate students, graduate students, and emerging adults navigating academic stress, life transitions, emotional trauma, identity development, independence challenges, depression, anxiety, OCD, adjustment issues, and the pressures of early adulthood. Treatment is tailored to the unique developmental tasks and stressors of this stage of life.
Adult Psychiatry
Expert psychiatric care for adults experiencing mood disorders, trauma-related conditions, anxiety, and interpersonal challenges. Treatment emphasizes a research-informed, compassionate approach that integrates neuroscience with evidence-based clinical practice.
Specialized Clinical Interests
Focused expertise in emotional development across the lifespan, life transitions, behavioral issues, trauma, dissociation, possession trance, spirituality in psychiatry, climate anxiety, eco-anxiety, climate grief, psychoeducational assessments, and accommodation recommendations (504/IEP) for students from preschool through college and graduate school.
Psychotherapy Modalities
A broad range of therapeutic approaches including psychodynamic therapy, CBT, DBT skills, family therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness-based therapies, supportive therapy, trauma-informed care, parent coaching, organizational skills training, and parent-child interaction therapy.
My Philosophy of Care
I treat the whole person — not just symptoms.
I begin each therapeutic relationship by understanding your experiences, strengths, history, and goals. Every treatment plan is individualized.
Root-cause-focused, not symptom-chasing.
Many patients come to me after years of medication-only care that never addressed underlying emotional, developmental, or educational needs.
Healing often begins when the true drivers of distress are identified — not masked.
Thoughtful, conservative use of medication.
Medication can be helpful, but is never the first or only solution. When appropriate, I help patients safely reduce or discontinue unnecessary medications.
Strength-based and autonomy-focused.
Children, teens, and young adults thrive when they develop resilience and mastery.
I emphasize building lifelong emotional skills, independence, and confidence.
Flexible, personalized therapy.
Some patients benefit from weekly therapy; others need less frequent support.
I maintain regular communication to adjust treatment as life evolves.
Family & school collaboration.
I work closely with families, schools, and colleges when needed, ensuring treatment aligns with academic, developmental, and relational needs.
Academic & Psychotherapy Training
Advanced Degrees
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M.D. & Ph.D. in Transcultural Psychiatry: Jagiellonian University
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M.Phil. & D.Phil. in Philosophy of Mind / Cognitive Sciences: Pontifical University of John Paul II (Krakow)
Faculty Appointments
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Assistant Professor: University of Michigan
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Clinical Instructor: New York University
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Clinical Instructor: Jagiellonian University
Psychotherapy Training
Extensive training in:
psychodynamic therapy, family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), clinical hypnosis, motivational interviewing, mindfulness-based therapies, supportive therapy, parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT), parent management training (PMT), organizational skills training, and play therapy.
Additional Clinical Experience
Served as a moonlighting physician with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (CPS), providing care for vulnerable youth.
Fellowships & Residencies
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Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship: New York University Child Study Center
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Psychiatry Residency: New York University / Bellevue Hospitals
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Fellowship in Transcultural Psychiatry: University of Vienna, Austria
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Psychiatry Residency: Jagiellonian University Hospital, Krakow, Poland
Education & Training
Awards & Honors
Dr. Debiec’s work has been recognized with multiple national and international awards, including:
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Fulbright Fellowship
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Donald F. Klein Early Career Investigator Award (Anxiety & Depression Association of America)
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Neal E. Miller New Investigator Award (Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research)
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NARSAD Junior Investigator Award (twice)
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NIMH Outstanding Research Resident Award
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Todd Ouida Clinical Scholar Award — University of Michigan
Service, Leadership & Public Contributions
Dr. Debiec is committed to public service, ethics, and global responsibility.
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Supported frontline medical workers during early COVID-19 waves
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Member, Alliance of World Scientists (climate & environmental advocacy)
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Signatory, New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness
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Active participant in ethical and environmental initiatives intersecting with mental health and societal well-being
Media Features & Expert Commentary
Dr. Debiec has been featured as an expert in leading national and international outlets, including:
CNN • The Wall Street Journal • Los Angeles Times • Science • The Scientist • The Telegraph • CTV News • Al-Jazeera • PBS • Detroit Free Press • Chicago Tribune • YTN • DW News • The Independent • The Conversation • Salon • Gazeta Wyborcza, and others.
He frequently provides commentary on:
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Parenting
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Youth mental health
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Trauma & anxiety
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Neuroscience
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Public health
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Psychiatric ethics