I have a PhD (1983) in clinical psychology from Fielding University and have had extensive training in family and couples therapy. I am a Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist by International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) and Board Certified in Couple and Family Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). My training includes the following: certificates in Narrative Therapy with Michael White (levels II & III, 1995); certificates in Emotion-Focused therapy with Dr. Leslie Greenberg (Individual therapy, 2015 & 2016, and Couples therapy, 2014) and Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT-C) Level 2 Advanced Training (2023) with Drs. Serine Warwar & Rhonda Goldman; completion of Externship in Emotionally-Focused Therapy with Dr. Sue Johnson and George Faller (2018); and completion of Core Skills Training with George Faller (2019). I have also had advanced training and/or supervision with Tom Andersen, Luigi Boscolo, Gianfranco Cecchin, Jill Fischer, Lynn Hoffman, Harold Goolishian, Peggy Penn, Laura Perls, Joan Zilbach, and Jeffrey Zimmerman.
Professionally, I have published articles on the theory and practice of family therapy, particularly Narrative Therapy, and have presented at workshops nationally and internationally. I have been on the Advisory Board of the International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work and the editorial board of Gecko, a Journal of Narrative Practice, and served as Assistant Editor of the Journal of Systemic Therapies. I was a co-founder of the Brattleboro Family Institute, was the Associate Chairperson of the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) at Antioch New England Graduate School, and the founding dean of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Union Institute & University.
I am licensed as a psychologist in Vermont and New Hampshire.
EDUCATION
1975-1983 The Fielding Institute
Santa Barbara, California
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology
Dissertation: An Historical and Comparative Analysis of Awareness in Gestalt Therapy and Mindfulness in Theravada Buddhism; Chair, Joan Zilbach, MD
Internship
1977-1978 Mental Health Services of Southeastern Vermont and West River Center
Brattleboro, Vermont
Individual and group therapy with children and adults.
2000-2001 Graduate Center at Marlboro College
Brattleboro, Vermont
M.S. Internet Strategy Management
1968-1971 New School For Social Research
New York, New York
M.A. Psychology
1964-1968 Moravian College
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
B.A. Psychology
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1996-present: Private Practice
Brattleboro, VT
Licensed Psychologist-Doctorate (VT)
Licensed Psychologist (NH)
Couple and individual therapy
2006-2018: Union Institute & University
Cincinnati, OH & Brattleboro, VT
Dean, PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology (2007-2018)
Dean, Professional Studies and Continuing Education (2014-2017)
Director, Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (2014-2017)
Associate Dean, Psychology (2006-2007)
Primary responsibilities for the following: administration and management of the PsyD Program with a concentration in Clinical Psychology, APA Approved Sponsor CE Program, Certificate Programs, and Organizational Leadership Program: budget; curriculum design; hiring and supervising faculty; teaching master’s and doctoral level courses; developing internal policy; supervising dissertations; representing the PsyD program to organized psychology; and other aspects of clinical and leadership training.
1983-2000 & 2005-2008: Antioch New England Graduate School
Department of Clinical Psychology
Keene, New Hampshire
Adjunct Faculty (2005-2008)
Director of Continuing Education (1999-2000)
Director of Student Affairs (1998-1999)
Associate Director/Associate Chairperson (1992-1998)
Acting Associate Director (1992)
Interim Director, Psychological Services Center (1992)
Associate Faculty (1983-1992)
Administrator of internal functioning of APA accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology, including supervision of Core, Adjunct and Associate Faculty and office staff, Chairperson of hiring committees, academic adviser, dissertation supervisor, and teacher of doctoral level courses.
Along with the Chairperson: guided program through process of APA accreditation, development of Psy.D. curriculum and new programs (e.g., joint Psy.D. and O & M degree program), staffed courses, and monitored program assessments and quality assurance.
1983-1996: Brattleboro Family Institute
Brattleboro, Vermont
Co-Founder
Director of Training
Administrator of managed care clinic for regional HMO; teacher and trainer in family therapy; consultant and supervisor to organizations and mental health professionals; provider of mental health, alcohol and substance abuse services to HMO subscribers; Director of Internship and Externship programs.
Organizer of regional workshops for mental health professionals in family therapy.
1989-1991: Smith College School for Social Work
Northampton, MA
Summer Faculty
Instructor in family therapy
1982: Antioch New England Graduate School
Department of Applied Psychology
Keene, New Hampshire Associate Faculty
Instructor in family therapy
1978-1983: Private Practice
Brattleboro, Vermont
Psychotherapist/Licensed Psychologist-Master
Individual, couple and family therapy; consultant to residential group home for adolescents; college instructor at Marlboro College, Vermont State College and Community College of Vermont; supervisor and consultant to mental health professionals.
1973-1975: Woodland Park Mental Health Center
Portland, Oregon
Mental Health Therapist/Practicum Student
Individual and group therapy with hospitalized psychiatric patients; development of treatment programs; leader of training program in Gestalt therapy.
1972: Outside-In Sociomedical Aide Clinic
Portland, Oregon
Counselor
1970-1971: Waterford Country School
Quaker Hill, Connecticut
Counselor and teacher
1969-1970: American Public Health Association
New York, New York
Statistical Researcher
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Licensed Psychologist-Doctorate, Vermont, #188
Licensed Psychologist, New Hampshire, #892
Certified Emotionally-Focused Therapist
International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)
Board Certified in Couple and Family Psychology, #5127
American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)
Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT-C) Level 2 Advanced Training (2023)
International Society for Emotion Focused Therapy (ISEFT)
Serine Warwar, PhD & Rhonda Goldman, PhD
Core Skills in Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy (2019)
Greenwich, CT
George Faller, LMFT
Externship in Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy (2018)
New York, NY
Sue Johnson, Ed.D. and George Faller, LMFT
Certificate of Completion: Emotion-Focused Therapy – Couples Institute (2014)
Certificate of Completion: Emotion-Focused Therapy – Level I Individual Institute (2015)
Certificate of Completion: Emotion-Focused Therapy – Level II Individual Institute (2016)
York University, Toronto, ON
Leslie S. Greenberg, Ph.D.
Certificate in Primary Care and Behavioral Health (2012)
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Certificates in Narrative Therapy, Levels II & III (1995)
Dulwich Centre, Adelaide, South Australia
Michael White
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
At Union Institute & University, Antioch New England, & Smith College School of Social Work
Introduction to Family Therapy
Family Systems and Family Process
Advance Seminar in Family Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Family Psychotherapy
Clinical Psychology and Systems Theory
Professional Development Seminar
Case Conference
Doctoral Research Seminar
Psychotherapy Intervention
Social Construction and Therapeutic Process
Psychology in the Community
History and Systems of Psychology
Organizational Issues, Service Delivery & Public Policy
PUBLICATIONS
Sell-Smith, J., & Lax, W. D. (2013). A Journey of Pregnancy Loss: From Positivism to Autoethnography. The Qualitative Report, 18, 1-17.
Lax, W. D. (2000). Narrative therapy and Buddhism: Paths to liberation. Context: The magazine for family therapy and systemic practice, 48, 21-23.
Lax, W. D. (1999). History and connection. Dulwich Centre Newsletter. Dulwich Centre: Adelaide, Australia.
Lax, W. D. (1999). Bringing spirituality into professional contexts. In Narrative therapy and community work. Dulwich Centre: Adelaide, Australia.
Law, I., & Lax, W. (1998). What is critical psychology? An interview with Erica Burman and Ian Parker. Gecko: A journal of deconstruction and narrative ideas in therapeutic practice, 2, 62-71.
Lax, W. D. (1997). Learning about multiple views. In J. Hales & C. White (Eds.). The personal is the professional. Dulwich Centre: Adelaide, Australia.
Lax, W. D. (1996). Narrative, social constructionism, and Buddhism. In H. Rosen & K. Kuehlwein (Eds.), Constructing realities: Meaning-making perspectives for psychotherapists. New York: Jossey-Bass.
Lax, W. D. (1995). Offering reflections: Some theoretical and practical considerations. In S. Friedman (Ed.), The reflecting team in action. NY: Guilford.
Davidson, J., & Lax, W. D. (1992). Reflecting conversations in the initial consultation. In S. Budman, M. Hoyt., & S. Friedman (Eds.), The first session in brief therapy. New York: Guilford Press.
Davis, J., & Lax, W. D. (1992). Introduction to the special section: Expanding the reflecting position. Journal of Strategic and Systemic Therapies, 10(3&4), 1-3.
Lax, W. D. (1992). Postmodern thinking in a clinical practice. In S. McNamee & K. Gergen (Eds.), Therapy as social construction. London: Sage.
Lax, W. D. (1991). Use of the reflecting team in the initial interview. In T. Andersen (Ed.). The reflecting team: Dialogues and dialogues about the dialogues. New York: Norton.
Davidson, J., Lax, W. D., & Lussardi, D. (1990). Use of the reflecting team in the initial interview and in supervision and training. In T. Andersen, (Ed.). The reflecting team: Dialogues and dialogues about the dialogues. West Germany: Borgmann.
Lax, W. D. (1989). Systemic family therapy with young children in the family: Use of the reflecting team. In J.J. Zilbach (Ed.), Children in family therapy. New York: Haworth.
Lax, W. D., & Lussardi, D. (1988). The use of rituals with adolescents and their families. In E.I. Black, J. Roberts & R. Whiting (Eds.), Rituals in families and family therapy. New York: Norton.
Miller, D., & Lax, W. D. (1988). A reflecting team model for working with couples: Interrupting deadly struggles. Journal of Strategic and Systemic Therapies, 7(3), 17-23.
Davidson, J., Lax, W. D., Lussardi, D., Miller, D., & Ratheau, M. (1988). The reflecting team. The Family Therapy Networker, 12(3).
Peterson, R. L., & Lax, W. D. (unpublished). Postmodern training in professional psychology. Training in clinical psychology. National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology. Washington: APA.
PRESENTATIONS
Lax, W. D. (2014, September). Integrating Emotion into Narrative Therapy. Union Institute & University, Brattleboro, VT.
Ameele, A., Lax, W. D., & Miller, T. (2012, November). Integrated behavioral health in primary care. Grand Rounds. Springfield Medical Center, Springfield, VT.
Lax, W. D. (2012, January). Technology as a tool in assessing student competency. Panel (chairperson) at National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology. Mid-Winter Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
Lax, W. D. (2012, January). Obtaining Outcome Data Online. Poster session presented at National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology. Mid- Winter Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
Lax, W. D., Crystal, S., Sears, R., Chen, C. P., Zhu, C., & Walsh, N. R. (2011, August). Mindfulness practices – Eastern approaches to expanding consciousness and psychotherapeutic change. Symposium (chairperson) at the APA 119th Annual Convention, Washington, DC.
Lewis, B. L., & Lax, W. D. (2011, August). Narrative Therapy intervention project for patients with diabetes and depression. Poster session presented at the APA 119th Annual Convention, Washington, DC.
Lax, W. D. (2011, January). The future of psychology: Information technology for training, education and practice, National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology. Mid-Winter Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Lax, W. D. (2009, November). Postmodern Thinking in Clinical Practice. Antioch New England Graduate School, Department of Clinical Psychology.
Lax, W. D. (2009, June). Narrative Therapy. Antioch New England Graduate School, Department of Clinical Psychology.
Lax, W. D. (2009, January). Institutionalizing your mission and values, National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology. Mid-Winter Meeting, Puerto Vallarta, MX.
Lax, W. D. (2002, February). Interviewing from a Narrative perspective. Brattleboro Retreat Healthcare. Brattleboro, VT.
Lax, W. D. (1999, February). Bringing spirituality into professional contexts. Narrative therapy and community work. Adelaide, Australia,
Dickerson, V., Lax, W. D., & Zimmerman, J. L. (1999, February). Narrative Therapy: Cultural contexts of problems. Narrative therapy and community work. Adelaide, Australia.
Lax, W. D., & Madigan, S. (1998, May). I’m not OK, you’re not OK, and that’s OK. Therapeutic Conversations 4, Toronto, Ontario, CA.
Lax, W. D. (1998, February). Recent developments in Narrative therapy. Grand Rounds, Baystate Medical Center.
Dickerson, V., Lax, W. D., & Zimmerman, J. L. (1997, May & 1998, February). Narrative On Tour. Burlington, VT; Worcester, MA; Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA; Portage la Prarie, Ontario, Canada.
Adams-Westcott, J., Combs, G., Dickerson, V., Freedman, J., Madigan, S., Madsen, W., Lax, W. D., & Zimmerman, J. L. (1997, October). Narrative Therapy. Fifty-fifth American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.
Lax, W. D., & Madsen, W. (1997, December). Therapy in the trenches: Narrative therapy in public/community agencies. Family Institute of Cambridge, Watertown, MA.
Lax, W. D., & Madsen, W. (1997, March). Teaching across the discourses. Narrative Ideas & Therapeutic Practice, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
Crystal, S., & Lax, W. D. (1997, February). Narrative therapy: Developing alternative stories. Panel Rounds. Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield, MA.
Madigan, S., & Lax, W. D. (1996, December). Situating narrative therapeutic questions within a politic of intent. Toronto Narrative Therapy Project. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Lax, W. D. (1996, March). Recent developments in Narrative Therapy, “By Us, For Us”, Vermont Narrative Network, Ascutney, VT.
Law, I., & Lax, W. D. (1996, February). Ethics, social justice and disadvantage: Examining professional privilege. Narrative Ideas & Therapeutic Practice, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
Davidson, J., Lussardi, D., Lax, W. D., & Joseph Pumilia. (1994, October; 1995, February, March & April). Guidelines for reflections. Grand Rounds, Family Institute of Maine, Portland, ME; Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield, MA; Bay Area Family Therapy Training Associates, San Francisco, CA; Narrative Ideas & Therapeutic Practice, Vancouver, B.C., Canada; Worcester Youth Guidance Center.
Davidson, J., Lussardi, D., & Lax, W. D. (1994, October). A narrative approach for working with anger and depression. Annual CHP Health Conference, Latham, NY.
Hoffman, L., & Lax, W. D. (1993, October). The connecting voice: A collaborative approach to family therapy. Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy, New York, NY.
Lax, W. D., & Peterson, R. L. (1993, August). Implications of postmodern thinking for clinical psychology. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Ontario.
Lax, W. D. Interpretative understanding and mis-understanding in the construction of new narratives in clinical interaction. Inquiries in Social Construction. Durham, NH. June 3-6, 1993.
Lax, W. D. (1993, April). Local narratives in clinical interactions. International Conference on Narrative in Therapy. Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
Peterson, R. L., & Lax, W. D. (1993, January). Toward theoretical and supervisory multiplicity. National Council of Schools of Professional Psychology Midwinter Conference on Training in Professional Psychology, La Jolla, CA.
Gergen, K. J., Hoffman, L., Lax, W. D., & McNamee, S. (1992, October). The end of essences. Fiftieth American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Annual Conference, Miami, FL.
Lax, W. D. Postmodern thinking in clinical practice. (1992, April, May & June). Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy, New York, NY; Annual Spring Conference, Vermont Psychological Association, White River Jct., VT; Alumni(ae) Day. Antioch New England Graduate School, Keene, NH; Center for Children and Youth, Westfield, MA.
Lax, W. D. (1992, June). The reflecting team: A brief treatment approach. Orange Family and Children Services, Orange, N.J.
Lax, W. D., & Steier, F. (1992, January). Research and clinical work from a systemic perspective. Nova University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Lax, W. D. (1992, January). Innovative approaches for “The Hard to Treat Family.” The Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy, New York, N.Y.
Lax, W. D. (1991, May). Therapy as reflexive discourse. Grand Rounds. Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield, MA.
Davis, J., Hoffman, L., Laird, J., & Lax, W. D. (1991, July). The recursive relationship between the “said” and the “unsaid” in therapeutic practice. 1991 Annual Cybernetics Conference: Its evolution and its praxis, Amherst, MA.
Davidson, J., Lussardi, D., Lax, W. D., & Pumilia, J. (1991, March). The Reflecting Team. 14th Annual Network Family Therapy Symposium, Washington, D.C.
Davidson, J., Lussardi, D., Lax, W. D., & Ratheau, M. (1990, October). Use of the reflecting team in supervision. Forty-Eighth AAMFT Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.
Lax, W. D. (1990, July). Co-constructing new narratives with couples. The Fourth American Conference on Personal Construct Psychology, San Antonio, TX.
Lax, W. D. (1990, February). Constructivist approaches to psychotherapy. Antioch/New England Graduate School and New Hampshire Psychological Organization, Keene, NH.
Lax, W. D. (1987, January; 1988, January, July & December; 1989, June & December; 1991, August). Recent developments in family therapy: The reflecting team. Grand Rounds, Mary Hitchcock Hospital, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H.; Grand Rounds, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; The Fielding Institute Summer Session; University of Vermont, Burlington, VT; Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy, New York, NY.; and Grand Rounds, University of Vermont Medical School, Burlington, VT.
Davis, J., Lax, W. D., & Pumilia, J. (1989, November). Toward a “Reflexive Discourse” for family therapy. American Society for Cybernetics Annual Meeting, Virginia Beach, VA.
Davidson, J., Lussardi, D., Lax, W. D., Miller, D., & Ratheau, M. Lax, W. D. (1989, June). The reflecting team in clinical work and supervision. Systemic Family Therapy Symposium, Sjiboten, Norway.
Davidson, J., & Lax, W. D. (1989, March). The reflecting team. 12th Annual Network Family Therapy Symposium, Washington, D.C.
Andersen, T., Caesar, L., Davidson, J., Flam, A-M., Hald, M., Lussardi, D., Miller, D., & Roberts, M. F. (1988, October). Forty-Sixth AAMFT Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Davidson, J., Lussardi, D., Lax, W. D., Miller, D., & Lax, W. D. (1988, October). Interrupting deadly struggles Forty-Sixth AAMFT Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Hoffman, L., & Lax, W. D. (1987, December). The reflecting team: Current work. Northampton Family Institute, Northampton, MA.
Andersen, T., Davidson, J., Flam, A-M., Lussardi, D., & Ratheau, M. (1987, October). The reflecting team: Applications in two countries. Forty-Fifth AAMFT Annual Conference, Chicago, IL. Davidson, J., Lussardi, D., Lax, W. D., & Ratheau, M. Lax, W. D. (1987, April & May). Use of the reflecting team as an intake procedure Northeast Regional AAMFT Conference, Valley Forge, PA; Participants Conference, Amherst, MA.
Hoffman, L., & Lax, W. D. (1986, October). A recursion model for systemic consultation: The Reflecting Team. Annual Supervisors Colloquium, Antioch New England Graduate School, Keene, NH.
Lax, W. D., & Roberts, J. (1986, October). The use of circular questioning in family therapy supervision: A cybernetic approach. American Society for Cybernetics, 1986, Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Forty-Fourth AAMFT Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.
Andersen, T., & Lax, W. D. (1986, October). Working with “stuck” patient-family- hospital systems. Society For Family Therapy Research, Boston, MA.
Blount, S., Dell, P., Hoffman, L., Lax, W. D., & Tomm, K. (1984, August). Second order cybernetics and family therapy. Gordon Research Conference on Cybernetics, New Hampton, NH.
Reviewer
2007-present Training & Education in Professional Psychology
2010 National Research Foundation
NRF’s Monitoring and Evaluation unit
2009 American Psychological Association Annual Convention Division 43 Family Psychology
2008 National Multicultural Conference and Summit (NMCS)
Advancing Our Communities: The Role of Social Justice in Multicultural Psychology
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS/AFFILIATIONS
Taos Institute: Institute Associate
American Psychological Association
Member: Division 12, Clinical Psychology and Division 43, Family Psychology.
Academy of Couple and Family Psychology (2001-present)
Fellow
Secretary (2004-2005)
Webmaster (2004-2006)
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (1994-2002)
Brattleboro, Vermont
Staff privileges: Consultant Allied Health Profession
Springfield Health Center (2012-2014)
Springfield, VT
Staff privileges: Psychologist
National Council of Schools and Programs in Professional Psychology
Union Institute & University PsyD Program – Lead Delegate (2006-2013) Antioch New England Psy.D. Program – Delegate (1992-1998)
NCSPP Membership Committee, Chair (1995-1998) National Conference Steering Committee (1998)
Conference committee member, responsible for training NCSPP representatives and facilitating the national conference focused on social justice.
AREA OF SPECIALIZATION
Couple and Family Psychology, ABPP