I have been working with children, youth, and young adults for over 50 years, as a scoutmaster, counselor in residential treatment and group home programs, as a social worker, therapist, supervisor of therapists and program director.

I enjoy playing with children, and can usually gain their trust, even when addressing difficult subjects, worries, and mental health concerns.

Teens in our community are facing extraordinary stressors. They are concerned about the state of the world and our country, about the challenges of high school, of looming college and independence, and of the enormous and new complexity of social relationships.  In addition, most of them are trying to navigate, with varying success, a relationship with alcohol, marijuana, and the plentiful supply of other substances.

I am comfortable working with children with fairly serious mental health concerns, including anxiety, depresssion, ADHD and suicidality, and work collaboratively, as needed with psychiatrists.  I am very comfortable with working with coexisting conditions, such as combinations of substance use, mental illness, disability, and impact of external stressors.

I support children in addressing the sometimes overwhelming stresses of school demands, peer relationships, bullying, and overcoming disabilities including sensory sensitivities and ADHD.

I can talk comfortably about relationships, fears around sex and intimacy, trauma history and other serious concerns. At the same time I am interested in hearing about children's interests, and can listen and discuss intelligently sports, social dynamics with peers, as well as video games they are playing (which I also play some). I am not a teen, but I know quite a bit, from talking regularly with them, about teen ethics and expectations.

I keep teen information confidential, but also encourage young people to share, when they are ready, their concerns with family and/or friends.

I am respectful of children, and understand ways in which they are harassed, not only by peers, but by adults. Sadly, often school teachers and administrators are condescending, and I have heard countless tales of what clearly seems to be harassment of youth (such as unlawful detainment, disrespectful tone, and illegal search by Marin police.  I treat youth with respect and understanding. On the other hand I collaborate with them in developing and clarifying their own moral and ethical standards, and have no hesitation in calling them on it when they are not living up to their standards.  I talk honestly with youth about substance use and abuse, and provide clear and completely honest information about risks (and benefits). I do not judge, but help youth examine honestly the effects of their use, and the pros and cons of continuing, motivate them to make changes, and then provide as much support as needed to assist them in changing problematic behavior including substance and alcohol use.

I help parents be respectful of teens while supporting them in being effective parents and setting limits. I promote family relationship with respect, dignity, mutual responsibility, and caring.  See Family Therapy.