Mission of the Institute for Human Adjustment (IHA)
Our mission is to serve the university and the broader community with evidence-based clinical services, prevention and early intervention programs, and educational opportunities of the highest quality in order to assist individuals, couples and families with difficulties in adjustment, learning, and communication. IHA’s mission is also to train the next generation of professionals to provide evidence-based and culturally informed, compassionate services to assist children, adolescents, couples, and families. IHA is committed to respecting the dignity and person of all members of our community, and seeks to share and understand the differences between all persons by listening and honoring their points of view and values.
IHA is comprised of three units:
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University Center for the Development of Language and Literacy (UCLL) offers intensive language and literacy evaluations and intervention services for children, youth, young adults, and adults
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University Center for the Child and the Family (UCCF) provides mental health services to children, couples, and families
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U-M Psychological Clinic provides mental health services to adults over 18 years of age
Our History
The Institute for Human Adjustment (IHA) has a long history at the University of Michigan, dating back to 1935 when Mary Rackham funded a $1,000,000 endowment for an Institute that would provide social and rehabilitative services to individuals from the University and surrounding communities. The Speech Clinic (now the University Center for the Development of Language and Literacy) had already been established when it joined the IHA in 1936-37. The Psychological Clinic was founded in 1938 as part of the IHA. The University Center for the Child and the Family evolved from a prior counseling unit to become part of the Institute in 1987. These are the Institute’s current centers. However, since its establishment more than 75 years ago, IHA has been home to many other centers including: the Reading and Learning Skills Center, the University of Michigan Autism and Communication Center (UMACC), the Fresh Air Camp, the Sociological Research Unit, the Bureau of Psychological Services, and the Division of Gerontology.
