I did my first training in psychotherapy in the 1970's in Philadelphia, and continued studying clinical psychology and training in San Francisco, including couple counseling and family therapy.

Eventually I moved into organizational psychology as well. I love being part of the dynamic process by which people walk their life path with greater clarity, greater courage, and more fun.

I also teach at McDaniel College, Budapest, and love the international culture of the school, as well as filling an important void in the market through my private practice.


1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I came as a "political tourist" in June, 1990, to see first hand how people were rebuilding society after a non-violent revolution. I spent a year here in 1993 interviewing people about how their lives had changed, and what was the meaning of freedom. That went into a book that I wrote with a colleague who did those interviews with Estonians. I finally moved here in 1996.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
No.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
Peoples' personal identification with history -- beginning with the Turkish occupation. Like they had lived through it themselves. Now it surprises me that people can't seem to escape history. Seem to wallow in it.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
A Festival Orchestra concert. The baths (Szechenyi). Walking across Lanchid at dusk. An afternoon on Margit Sziget. Discussing art/politics/philosophy in a cafe (Europa, Central...) Seeing the women with umbrellas and the Varga Museum in Obuda. Extend your stay. A weekend is not enough.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Meggy leves the way my friend Anna makes it.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Asvanviz szensavas

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Nemsokára

8. What do you miss the most from home?
The Pacific Ocean

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Acting -- if I could do it like Meryl Streep.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Anything that is about numbers.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Crete

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Switzerland

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
The Band

14. What can't you resist?
A wisecrack.

15. Red wine or white?
Red

16. Book or movie?
Book

17. Morning person or night person?
Morning. But not too early.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Ending war. Can we even imagine that? We've eliminated smallpox. We expect to cure cancer. Why not eliminate war?

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Either side, close to the river.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Why not? Give it a shot.