Cathie
T. Siders, Ph.D. |
 |
Dr. Siders provides consultation to individual leaders and to work groups in academic health centers, other healthcare organizations, professional societies, and higher education institutions. She works with executives, faculty and staff at all levels of the organization.
Dr. Siders' services include:
- Conflict
Management Education and Consultation
Services are customized for the individual or work group. Viewing conflict as a process to be managed, Dr. Siders takes the client through fundamental concepts to a method for analyzing the complexities of conflict in organizations. Individual work focuses on diagnosing sources and triggers of conflict, self-management in anger-laden conversations, and thoughtful experimentation with new behavior. Group work focuses on identification of the aspects of the organization's culture or current demands for change that precipitate conflict. Group members apply the Conflict Management Checklist, the Ladder of Inference and other tools to better understand their own responses and to more effectively manage their role in the conflict management process. Individual work occurs in one-hour sessions, with the number of sessions dependent on the client's needs. Group work occurs in half-day or daylong segments. Dr. Siders also consults with departments and other work units in distress because of group conflict, designing specific interventions and/or training after thorough assessment of the issues. She also works with organizations to design systems for alternate dispute resolution.
- Executive
Coaching
Dr. Siders collaborates with the client to determine goals designed to elevate his or her performance in the current position and/or to chart a career change. The initial assessment may include completion of standardized tests that measure work style preferences or personality. Clients frequently choose skill building in order to improve their proficiency in communication, negotiation, and/or management of the shadow side of the organization. The coaching process may also emphasize effective group process, organizational dynamics, or uses of power. Typically, the coaching process requires four to eight sessions.
- Improving
Group Effectiveness
For work units interested in developing more effective group processes, Dr. Siders facilitates group interactions that improve communication, surface unproductive mental models and build cohesiveness. These services may include analysis of group processes such as decision-making, problem solving, communication and prevention and management of conflict. She also designs and facilitates work group retreats tailored to specific goals.
As a psychologist, Dr. Siders has transitioned from the practice of psychotherapy to the application of psychological principles in organizations and groups. Her expertise from ten years as a therapist provides invaluable understanding of human behavior in organizational settings. Dr. Siders' work experience also includes twelve years in staff positions at The University of Iowa College of Medicine where she participated in a variety of teaching experiences for medical students, residents and staff. She has presented conflict management seminars for more than fifteen years and recently co-authored two articles on conflict management for The Physician Executive.
Dr. Siders holds a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from The University
of Iowa and completed mediation certification in an advanced training
program through the Boston University School of Public Health entitled
"Conflict Resolution Strategies for Health Care." In addition,
she is certified in the administration and interpretation of the Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator, a 360-degree leadership skills assessment, and numerous
psychological tests.