Since 1977, I have been leading workshops, seminars, teleseminars, and other types of presentations on topics that relate to relationships, dialogue and change. In my presentations I use a conversational and coaching style and help those present to turn theory into new and often surprising possibilities.
I believe that learning and change are a lifelong cooperative process and encourage clients, students, and professionals to be inquisitive, to be creative, to be authentic and open to possibilities for newness in others, in organizations and in themselves. I have been a speaker for many national and international events and have consulted with different types of organizations.
Psychotherapy
Administrative Area
I organized, initiated and for 11 years directed the services of the Counseling and Guidance Center at Montemorelos University, in Mexico. The center was opened in 1988 with few services. New programs and services were added over the years. Some of the programs I created and supervised were:
Counseling,
Prevention,
Evaluation,
Freshman Orientation,
How to Study,
Peer Counseling,
Senior Orientation,
Teacher-Student Counseling.
I worked there with individuals, couples, family and group counseling and therapy with students, employees and people from the community. I also trained and supervised peer counseling programs in the dormitories with the participation of seniors in the Psychology program and supervised counselors in training.Individual, Marital and Family Therapy
Private Practice
I’m licensed in Texas (License # 5143 -inactive at the moment) and Delaware (License # FT0000013), as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I'm also a Clinical Fellow of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. I have been trained in systems thinking, Communication Language Systems, Cognitive-Behavioral therapies, Brief therapies, Narrative therapies, Trauma, and Collaboration. I have also worked with abuse issues. I have experience working with military couples and families.
For more than 30 years I have worked with youth, adults, couples and families from a collaborative language systems framework which enables me to adapt my interventions to the needs of my clients. I always see possibilities and inspire hope at the same time that people feel empowered to see issues in a more positive framework that enables them to change and grow.
Educational Activities
Teaching
From 1978 to the present I have taught both at the Undergraduate and Graduate level in the areas of Business, Psychology, Family Life and Music. Some of the classes I have taught at the University level are: Organizational Development; Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Change; Organizational Behavior; General Psychology; Life Span Development; Adult Development; Psychology of Women; Child Development; Adolescent Development; Family Counseling; Educational Psychology; Psychology of the Exceptional Child; The Professional Demands of Teaching; Family Resource Management; Family Counseling; Seminar on Marriage and Family Problems; Parenting Education; Family Dynamics; Marriage and the Family; Psychology of Character Development; and Interpersonal Relationships.
Prevention
I offer programs, seminars and training for special interest groups. They include subjects such as Communication, How to Have Better Interpersonal Relations, How to Control Negative Emotions, Problem Solving, Conflict Resolution, Stress reduction, Time Management, Goal Setting, How to Live a Balanced Life, Spirituality and Resilience, Friendship, Courtship, Preparation for Marriage, Marriage, Parenthood, Personality Development, Character Development, How to Study, Divorce Prevention, and others. You can see a more comprehensive list of available Seminars under that tab.
Family Life Education LeadershipThroughout the years I have made many contributions to family life education through programs, writings, training, research and presentations. I have a strong conviction that prevention programs are the best form of education. This is probably one of the areas that I enjoy the most.
Training for Family Life Educators and Mental Health Professionals.
Since 1980, I have been holding training seminars for family educators and mental health professionals. I have given training for Marriage Enrichment (weekends and other modalities), premarital education, Parenting, Character Development, Communication and Conflict Resolution, culture and ethical issues, and education on courtship and marriage for youth. The training has a special emphasis on how to integrate ethical principles in the postmodern world. I have presented training seminars in many countries and states including Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and, in the United States, in California, Texas, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and others.
For mental health professionals and family educators I presently provide specialized trainings, workshops, and programs on ethical issues in the context of culture, the impact of culture of origin, migration, and acculturation on family dynamics, and collaborative change processes. I also offer a variety of continuing education tele-classes and independent study courses for busy professionals.