Annual Newsletter - College of Human Ecology - Kansas State ...

Olson leads behavior medicine unit in Texas
As an undergraduate student,
Michael Olson knew he wanted to
become a healer.
He majored in pre-med but soon
switched to family science. He then went
on to Kansas State University, where he
earned his Ph D. in marriage and family
therapy in 2001.
“Once I realized that I could be connected
to individuals and families in a healing
way interpersonally, I was inspired to
follow that path,” he said. “Marriage
and family therapy provides a lens and
approach for working with individuals
and family systems that is unique in the
mental health field.”
Olson is now the director of behavioral
medicine and an associate professor at
the University of Texas Medical Branch.
He designs and implements educational
curriculum, supervises students, develops
protocols for patient-centered medical
home care, conducts research, and sees
clients at the ambulatory medical clinic
and hospital.
“I enjoy working with and developing
relationships with bright students and
seeing the applications of knowledge in
a medical patient care environment,” he
said. “I love being a part of a diverse and
respectful faculty that values the skills
and knowledge I bring to the table.”
of an extramarital affair, which led to
a publication in a top-tier journal. He
started working in medical family therapy
at Mercy Regional Health Center.
After graduating from Kansas State
University, he completed a post-doctoral
fellowship in behavioral medicine at
the University of Texas Medical Branch
and was hired as an assistant professor
in family medicine there. He later took
a position in family medicine at the
University of Nebraska Medical Center
and returned to Texas after four years.
Olson said he is a proud K-Stater.
“I’m very proud to have been affiliated
with the great people and program at
K-State,” he said. “They continue to have
a national reputation for being one
of the strongest training programs in
the country.”
For future students considering the
program, he offers this advice: “Find
and work closely with a mentor that
you match up well with. Use that time
to foster and facilitate your professional
goals and ideas.”
“What I appreciate most about being
at KSU – I appreciate the caring, yet
challenging environment in the
MFT program. The individuals in this
program, both faculty and students,
stimulate growth personally,
academically and professionally.
The faculty’s passion for developing
us into proficient therapists and
researchers is evident.”
— Kaleb Beyer
Olson prepared for his professional life
while a Ph D. student at Kansas State
University.
As a student, he worked as a contractor
for the state of Kansas to provide in-home
family therapy for those most at risk, and
he conducted research on the nature
of relationships following disclosure
2010 Master’s Cohort
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