I received my Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Massachusetts in 1974, and my doctoral research focused on understanding the key elements of successful couples relationships. I co-authored Family Evaluation (Gardner Press, 1982) with Mark Karpel, Ph.D., and worked in the Department of Psychiatry at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, for seven years, where I was Co-Director of the Family Therapy Training Program. Before relocating to Charlotte, I was in private practice in West Springfield, MA, for 30 years. I have been married for over 40 years and have two children.