Education and Advanced Training
· Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, 1978, BA Psychology
· Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, 1981, MA Applied Psychology
· University of Virginia Medical School, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1988 Clinical Psychology Residency
· University of Virginia Medical School, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1987-1990 Advanced Interpersonal Training
· Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, 1991, PhD Clinical Psychology
Work
Since 1980 I've worked professionally in psychology-based positions in community, state, and federal hospitals; in community agencies; in for-profit companies; on local and national grants through non-profits; in Iowa, Georgia, Virginia, and now, finally, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a place I have been honored to call home since 1993.
Teaching
I’ve been doing university teaching since 1984. I regularly teach graduate and undergraduate courses in statistics, research methods, counseling, psychotherapy, psychology, and leadership at Marquette University, UW-Milwaukee, Cardinal Stritch University, Mt. Mary College, and Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology.
Consulting/Supervision
- Perform executive coaching, with a special focus on understanding/ leading/ managing talented, but sometimes difficult, key employees
- Supervise other professionals who are beginning their work in the psychotherapy profession.
- Provide change processes continuing education for professionals in the treatment field
Other cool stuff
- I created a way to bring scientific psychology to the typical person via a free, fun monthly Q&A event that is held at Cranky Al’s Pizza and Bakery in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. It's called “Shrink ‘n’ Drink” (because “shrink” and “pizza” do not rhyme
 ). Click here to read what the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had to say about Shrink 'n' Drink.
- Since Jan 2010, I have delivered strength-based, scientifically derived psychology in an any-time, any-where online training format through a company I co-founded in Oct 2009 called Iron Psych. The content and courses are currently in these three areas:
- personal development
- marriages (that is, committed relationships)
- parenting
- The latest effort, inspired by the reaction to Shrink 'n' Drink, is Growthville. This innovation, in its infancy, is inspired by SCVNGR which is a game about doing challenges in places. Put challenges across various places and you get a “trek.” Currently I’m working on a “Positivity Trek for Tosa” where players will be able to go to places in Wauwatosa, do things that will increase their positive emotions, and earn points, as well as …well, just feeling better. The basic idea is to use game dynamics to make it “fun” and “mildly competitive” to grow. This TED video might help make it more clear what this is about.
The theme that runs through all of the professional work that I have done over the past 30 years, and that I continue to do, is the significance of RELATIONSHIPS, especially the INTERPERSONAL ASPECTS of relationships. I am extremely focused on the value of understanding what is being verbally and nonverbally communicated at an emotional level between persons.
I am also extremely committed to getting all that scientific psychology has to offer out to the typical person. I do not believe that anyone should have to get a university degree in psychology or come to a psychologist’s office to learn about the theories, methods, and tools that scientific psychology has to offer for day-in-and-day-out living. And I think people’s lives are too important to base important decisions and strategies on whatever pop psychology happens to be floating around in the culture at the moment.
On a personal level, I love bicycling, theatre, film, playing cards with family and friends, reading, and travel. Besides my own family, I thoroughly enjoy the company of a whole pack of nieces, nephews, siblings, in-laws and cousins.
|