Professional Experience

Dean began his professional career in the state of Oregon.  He has a rich and diverse professional background, providing clinical and therapeutic services for children, teens and families in a variety of mental-health settings. 

Dean has worked in both public school and special education settings addressing the needs of students with special academic needs and behavioral difficulties. 

Dean has developed and directed special intervention programs ranging from early intervention with "at risk" youth to intensive treatment services for children, teens and families experiencing more significant difficulties.   These programs have included a school-based social skill training program for elementary-age children, a wilderness-based treatment program for delinquent adolescents, and a multi-modal treatment program for sexually-abused boys and their families.  

For many years, Dean has conducted his own private psychotherapy practice, specializing in treating a range of concerns for children, adults and families.  He also produced and served as co-host of a popular informational radio program for parents. 

In 2002, Dean relocated to northern California where he was instrumental in developing a specialty clinic for a Sacramento area mental health program addressing the needs of children with ADHD and other neuro-biological disorders.  Dean opened the Attention, Behavior & Learning Center in 2004. In addition to his private practice, Dean also teaches psychology courses at American River College.

Dean is experienced working with children with such issues as early onset bipolar disorder, autistic spectrum disorders (e.g. Asperger's Syndrome), anxious and obsessive traits, adjustment difficulties, and oppositional-defiant behaviors.

ADHD Specialty

Throughout his professional career, Dean has had a particular interest in the needs of individuals - both children and adults - struggling with ADHD and related concerns.  He has received advanced clinical training from prominent experts in the field, including Dr. Daniel Amen of the Amen Clinic and Dr. Joseph Biederman of Harvard Medical School, and is continuously expanding his expertise and skills in these and other areas.

Multiple Skills

Dean's talents include helping individuals and families untap their inner strengths and resources, discover new solutions and achieve their true potentials - be it in the home, school, workplace, relationships or other important areas of life. He has a gift for bringing out the best in people. 

Dean is gifted in working collaboratively with school personnel and other treatment professionals and being instrumental in developing the best plans and achieving the best outcomes for the individual. Dean is much appreciated for his easy manner, capacity for understanding, diverse knowledge and expertise, and playful sense of humor.

Dean has been on a career-long quest to uncover the keys to effective parenting and raising more cooperative, responsible and confident children.  Through his years of study, research and testing with countless families, Dean has developed an impressive array of parenting tools and strategies that have proven exceptionally effective in bringing about improved behavior and better outcomes for children, parents and families.  

Writing, Training and Public Speaking

Dean's written accomplishments include authoring an innovative curriculum for improving children’s social skills in home and school settings, manuals on effective parenting strategies, and newspaper and magazine articles on ADHD and other issues.  He has recently published a powerful handbook for parents. 

Dean has conducted numerous workshops for parents, teachers and other professionals on a wide variety of topics.  He is known as a highly dynamic and entertaining speaker.

Dean loves the mountains, skiing, kayaking, bicycling and traveling to different parts of the world.