Eric Sauer

Eric Sauer serves as Professor and Director of the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services at Western Michigan University's Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology, based at the Grand Rapids Downtown campus (200 Ionia Ave SW). His leadership role integrates clinical service delivery with academic training in counseling psychology.

Dr. Sauer's educational credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University
• M.A. from Ball State University
• B.S. from Michigan State University

His research program centers on attachment theory applications in psychotherapy, examining how client attachment styles, perfectionism, and emotional processes influence therapeutic outcomes. Key contributions explore pseudosecure versus individuated-secure attachment patterns, perfectionism's impact on symptom change, and emotional disclosure mechanisms. His work bridges clinical practice with training models in counseling psychology.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on client-therapist relational dynamics since 2009, with increasing sophistication in attachment theory applications. Recent work (2017-2020) investigates nuanced attachment patterns and their implications, while earlier research established foundational links between client characteristics and therapy outcomes. His scholarship demonstrates strong alignment with training clinic research networks and cognitive behavioral training guidelines.

No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials.

As Director of the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, Dr. Sauer oversees clinical operations and graduate training at the Grand Rapids facility, providing direct supervision to counseling psychology trainees within a university-affiliated clinic setting.