Evergreen Psychotherapy Center and the Attachment Treatment and Training Institute is profoundly saddened to announce the passing of co-founder and co-director Michael Orlans.
Mr. Orlans, a certified master therapist with more than 40 years of clinical experience working with children, adults and families in private-practice settings and the public health and criminal justice systems, passed away in Colorado Aug.16, 2015, after a bout with cancer. He was 64.
Mr. Orlans’ contributions to the field of psychology are widely recognized. He joined his lifelong friend and close colleague, Dr. Terry Levy, to co-direct Evergreen Psychotherapy Center, where they developed Corrective Attachment Therapy, Corrective Attachment Parenting and the Two-Week Intensive Treatment Approach — all of which Mr. Orlans traveled the world to teach. Mr. Orlans and Dr. Levy also teamed to co-author Attachment, Trauma and Healing (2nd Edition, 2014, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Ltd.) and Healing Parents: Helping Wounded Children Learn to Trust and Love (2006, Child Welfare League of America). Mr. Orlans also co-founded and served as a member of the founding executive board of directors of the Association for Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children (ATTACh) and as a founding executive board member of the American Psychotherapy Association. He was a board-certified forensic examiner and a diplomate in psychotherapy for the American Psychotherapy Association, a member of the Colorado Psychotherapy Association, an honorary lifetime member of the Colorado Society for the Study of Traumatic Stress and Dissociation and a clinical member of the American Mental Health Counselors Association.
Mr. Orlans was born in Newark, N.J., in 1951 to the late Samuel and Rachel Orlans. He is survived by his partner and wife of 26 years, Jeri; his four children, Adam Lozowick, Ushi Schick, Raina Mattingly and Jesse Orlans; his six grandchildren, Rhyan, Taylor, Skyler, Sienna, Noah and Reese; and two of his three sisters.
Mr. Orlans’ affable approach to life made him a great clinician, husband, father, brother and friend. He devoted his life to helping others experience the joys of loving and kind relationships — and he went out of his way to build his own. When he wasn’t working, Mr. Orlans loved hosting family get-togethers, playing with his grandchildren, coaching high school football alongside his son and hiking with his wife.
To honor Mr. Orlans’ memory and professional legacy, his family asks that contributions be made to ATTACh, which he co-founded 25 years ago to train professionals in trauma and attachment therapy, set standards and develop ways for families and therapists to come together. Contributions may be made at http://attach.org/donations.
A public celebration of Mr. Orlans’ life is set for 4 p.m., Aug. 31, at Willow Creek Restaurant, 29029 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks