Brief Bio
Don R. MacMannis, Ph.D. (a.k.a “Dr. Mac”) is a psychologist and Clinical Director of the Family Therapy Institute. He has been a therapist for over forty years. His practice includes work with children, families and couples, with a specialization in parenting kids ages two to twelve. In addition to lecturing nationally on a variety of topics related to families and social/emotional development, he is the co-author of the highly acclaimed book, How’s Your Family Really Doing?: 10 Keys to a Happy Loving Family. His second book, Who’s the Boss?: The Win-Win-Way to Parent Your Strong-Willed Child was released in January 2015. Don won the title of “Best Family Therapist” in a poll taken by SBParent.com.
Education and Training:
Don has a Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth, a Masters in School-Child Psychology from U. of Virginia, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology. A former President of the Santa Barbara Psychological Association, he has taught courses at Westmont College and Antioch University in the areas of developmental, behavioral, and cognitive psychology. He has also provided post-graduate training to hundreds of therapists.
Treatment Philosophy:
Don’s clinical work can best be described as highly integrative and multi-modal. He likes to tackle challenging situations from a variety of perspectives in an effort to leave no stone unturned. His style is playful but direct. Providing a safe environment for people to be open and honest, he emphasizes the positive and teaches people how to bring out the best in each other. As is appropriate to clients’ spiritual beliefs, he welcomes an opportunity to weave these notions into the treatment process.
