Was I a President’s therapist? One knows not to ask. Certainly my clients included the nation’s power elite, artists, renown creators and everyday people like you and me. I’ve spent my gratefully long life studying, exploring, educating and eventually teaching pragmatic, alternative, authentic ways of healing, tailored to the needs of individuals, couples, groups and organizations. There is no one way that suits all.

For close to six decades, I’ve been a National and International psychologist, relationship expert, consultant, visionary, author of three books, keynote speaker and columnist carried by many diverse countries. At 76, I re-Tired. Then I got re-Fired. My history is unusual, peripatetic, expansive, extensive, eclectic, encompassing many arenas of expertise. Originally trained as a psychoanalyst, I became disenchanted with the rigidity of psychoanalytic thinking for our rapidly changing times. I traveled the world seeking, learning and eventually teaching, consulting and integrating alternative, often holistic ways of helping people navigate their life issues. (We all encounter stumbling challenges along our way). For 13 years I was the co-founder and co-director of a well-respected professional training institute in Washington DC. For several years I was the face of sexuality and relationships for AARP with my own show on their TV Network, My Generation. I also hosted my own shows or was an active guest on media and in print. On the right is a list of some of the venues where I can be found.

I was born curious. I have memories of being in my crib and wondering, as much as a toddler can wonder, about what I saw in my room. At age 7, I can recall asking questions that are unusual for a child that age to ponder. Frequently my questions might be termed spiritual. Another series of questions involved what I now realize were observations relating to dissonance. Why were some elevated and admired individuals, apparent crooks? Why did my friends refuse to answer my questions about sex? Did God exist? And if so, what did that imply?

Specifically, in the second grade, we were all asked what we wanted to be when we grew up? All the boys gave the standard answer: doctor, lawyer, Indian chief. The girls all wanted to be nurses, teachers, secretaries, homemakers. It was the late 40’s and options were few.

I had just learned about how tunnels were constructed under rivers. Fascinated, it occurred to me that water was essential for life and could be used for good or ill. It kept crops growing, put out fires and it also caused destructive hurricanes and floods. It was also obvious to my 7-year-old mind that water’s arc was eternal. When my turn came, with the full conviction of an innocent second grader, unaware that I was offering an unusual response, I resoundingly responded, “I want to be a raindrop”. Silence, then laughter ensued. Fortunately my teacher stopped the class from ridiculing me and asked me to tell her more. Miss Coopersmith took me under her tutelage and for the rest of that year encouraged my multitude of questions. She gave me wondrous books to read. With gratitude I believe she helped save my life or at least kept my inquisitive Self alive. And so my journey as an eternal student and ultimately educator of the human condition and life continued drawing me to far-flung places and a variety of disparate experiences.

Questions about sex always interested me. When I asked others, including professionals, most said little to help me. Few questions were answered until the 60’s when half the country was fighting the Vietnam war. The other half were protesting. Women got the pill. Bras were burned in protest. Chaos ensued. I explored. I’ve been exploring and educating ever since. I invite you to travel with me along the paths you choose.