Clinical Director
(805) 882-2424 x 102
DrMac@FTISB.org
Education, Professional Training & Publications
B.A. in Psychology, Dartmouth College 1979
M.A. in School-Child Psychology, University of Virginia
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology
Licensed Psychologist (6727, State of California)
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing training
Training in legal and effective means of the of Ketamine Assisted Therapy
I have been a therapist for over fifty years. My practice includes work with children, families and couples, with a specialization in parenting kids ages two to twelve.
In addition to lecturing nationally on a variety of topics related to families and social/emotional development, I am the co-author of the highly acclaimed book, How’s Your Family Really Doing?: 10 Keys to a Happy Loving Family. My second award-winning book, Who’s the Boss?: The Win-Win-Way to Parent Your Strong-Willed Child has been instrumental in helping over a thousand families. I won the title of “Best Family Therapist” in a poll taken by SBParent.com.
Treatment Philosophy & Approach
My work can best be described as highly integrative and multi-modal. I like to tackle challenging situations from a variety of perspectives in an effort to leave no stone unturned. My style is playful but direct. Providing a safe environment for people to be open and honest, I emphasize the positive and teach people how to bring out the best in each other. As is appropriate to clients’ spiritual beliefs, I welcome an opportunity to weave these notions into the treatment process.
Professional & Volunteer Experience
My work can best be described as highly integrative and multi-modal. I like to tackle challenging situations from a variety of perspectives in an effort to leave no stone unturned. My style is playful but direct. Providing a safe environment for people to be open and honest, I emphasize the positive and teach people how to bring out the best in each other. As is appropriate to clients’ spiritual beliefs, I welcome an opportunity to weave these notions into the treatment process.
Specialties & Areas of Expertise
Clinical Director, Family Therapy Institute— Post-graduate raining to hundreds of therapists
Former President, Santa Barbara Psychological Association
Former Assistant Professor, Westmont College, Developmental Psychology
Former Assistant Professor, Antioch University, College, Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology
Children and Families
Local pediatricians refer a high percentage of my clients. The most common kids that I see are fearful or anxious. Others are kids whose parents need help in setting caring and effective limits with their kids. With young children and their families, I will typically meet with the family in the first session. In addition to meeting alone with kids for parts of sessions, I will typically devote the majority of my time working with parents, – helping them understand and deal with their child’s issues. I help parents learn about the “10 Keys” to a happy family, and guide them in building skills with dozens of tips and tools.
Couples
I also specializes in the treatment of couples who are withdrawn from one another, experiencing communication, intimacy or sexual problems, verbally or physically abusive, persistently angry, guilt ridden or depressed, or wanting pre-marital assessment. I love to elicit the “magical shifts” that are often possible when applying the principles of the latest research. Couples therapy will often include working with each member alone for at least a session or two to help them identify and overcome the effects of past influences.
Personal Life
I have been married to Debra Manchester for forty-six years, and we co-direct the Institute together. I have two sons, five grandchildren. My other greatest loves are music, organic gardening, hiking and travel.
Songwriting and Public Education
I have a strong interest in educating parents, teachers and children. I was the music director and a songwriter for the PBS animated series, Jay Jay the Jet Plane. I’ve been a guest on numerous radio programs, have had articles featured in The National Psychologist, The Therapist, and Time for Kids, and have appeared on national television. My latest creative project is a series of award-winning songs and activities for children 4-8 years old. A link to my children’s music, videos and articles on parenting can be found at HappyKidsSongs.com.
School Consultation
I have been a consultant to schools for decades. I provide training to teachers on issues of classroom management, boosting social and emotional skills, and applying the latest findings of brain research to the classroom. I provide daylong trainings as well as on-going consultation, serving for years in this capacity to the Laguna Blanca lower campus. I recently completed a research and intervention project in the Santa Barbara and Goleta schools that was publicized on CNN. Using my award-winning songs and activities, 320 first and second grade children from sixteen classrooms were involved. The program was highly successful as significant changes occurred in the children, both under the conditions of having the CD alone, and also by participating in the school lessons. Some of the most significant improvements found for both first and second graders were in “encouraging others to do their best,” as well as following rules in the group. There were also positive changes with confidence.