Shelly A Thornton, PhD

Biographical Statement

Dr. Shelly Thornton serves as the Director of Behavioral Science in the Department and faculty within the Family Medicine residency at Henry Ford Health. She earned her BS in Health Psychology from Wayne State University, her PhD in Clinical Health Psychology from East Carolina University, and she completed a post-doctoral fellowship at McLaren Health Care further specializing in medical education. Dr. Thornton oversees the behavioral science curriculum for family medicine residents and educates providers on screening, diagnosing, and treatment for mental and behavioral health conditions. She also teaches skills in communication, professionalism, and strategies for providing biopsychosocial, culturally sensitive care. Her research interests include examining sociocultural contributors to health-promoting and health-risk behaviors and examining racial/ethnic disparities in physical and mental health.

Clinically, Dr. Thornton provides primary care behavioral health services for patients receiving primary care services from Family Medicine Clinics at Detroit Northwest Clinic. She uses cognitive-behavioral, motivational interviewing, and acceptance-based approaches to support individuals with mental and behavioral health conditions. Dr. Thornton specializes in providing support with lifestyle change, chronic disease self-management, and adjustment to illness.

Titles

• Director of Behavioral Science, Henry Ford Family Medicine Residency Program