• Permit the development of more effective and relevant strategies to assist young people and their families and,
   
• Enhance the spectrum and quality of care available to young adults.

Optimum Performance Institute Advisory Board Members

E. JAMES ANTHONY, M.D.: Past president, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; past chairman, Division of Child Psychiatry, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.; author and internationally known lecturer, presently in private practice in Chevy Chase, Md., where he lives.

PAUL CARLO, Ph.D.: LCSW, Diplomate Ph.D. from University of Southern California; Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Southern California; Founding and current Director of the USC Center on Child Welfare; former Director of Residential Treatment, Five Acres Boys’ and Girls’ Aid Society; publications in the areas of psychotherapy and social work services for children, youth and families; private psychotherapy practice specializing in youth and young adults, Santa Monica, CA.

WILLIAM CHAMBERS, M.D.: Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist working with adolescents and children in Manhattan, New York, for over 30 years with special interest in adolescent and young adult development. Lives in Manhattan, NY.

SHANA CHRYSTIE: Vice President of Operations for San Francisco-based Geographic Expeditions, one of the pioneers of adventure travel, where she was the regional director for Himalaya & Latin America . Currently, she is a doctoral candidate in east/west psychology. She lives in San Francisco, CA.

CALVIN COLARUSSO, M.D.: Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and former Director of Child Psychiatry Residency Training at University of California, San Diego; trains and supervises analysts in child & adult psychoanalysis at San Diego Psychoanalytic Institute; internationally known lecturer and author of numerous articles and books including “Fulfillment in Adulthood: Paths to the Pinnacle of Life”. Lives in LaJolla, CA.

ROBERT A. GREENE, M.D.: Assistant clinical professor, College of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, Davis; Internationally known author and lecturer on topics related to cognitive functioning and hormone balance in females with special interest in the relationship of female hormones to both cognitive and mood developments in adolescent and young adult females. Lives in Redding, CA.

GARY SCOTT KATZ, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor of Psychology, California State University Northridge; educator, lecturer, author with extensive experience in undergraduate student advising; teaches Clinical Psychology, Psychological Testing, Emotions and Statistics and was graduate program chair for the Clinical Psychology Masters Program, CSUN. Dr. Katz maintains a private practice in Thousand Oaks, CA, specializing in behavior, emotional and learning difficulties in children, adolescents and adults. He lives in Simi Valley, CA.

ROBIN LARSEN, Ph.D.: Co-founder, Center for Symbolic Studies and co-founder, Stone Mountain Counseling Center, Newpaltz, NewYork; authorized co-biographer of “Joseph Campbell, A Fire in the Mind: The Life of Joseph Campbell;” internationally known lecturer and author with special interest in transformation and developmental issues relating to children, adolescents and adults. Lives in Newpaltz, NY.

STEPHEN LARSEN, Ph.D.: Co-founder, Center for Symbolic Studies and co-founder, Stone Mountain Counseling Center, Newpaltz, New York; authorized co-biographer of “Joseph Campbell, A Fire in the Mind: The Life of Joseph Campbell’; Professor Emeritus of psychology, Ullster Community College (State University of New York); author of more than 40 scholarly papers and numerous books including “The Mythic Imagination“ . Special interest in EEG Biofeedback and its relationship to states of consciousness and development. Lives in Newpaltz, NY.

JERRY LEWIS III, M.D.: Training and Supervising Analyst, Dallas Psychoanalytic Institute; Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas; former chairman, Dallas Foundation for Psychoanalysis; former director of Children’s Inpatient Unit and former chief of Child and Adolescent Services, Timberlawn Mental Health System, Dallas, Tex.; nationally known author and lecturer on diverse issues related to children and adolescents. Lives in Dallas, TX.

RIE ROGERS MITCHELL, Ph.D.: Professor and Chair, Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, California State University Northridge; nationally known author of numerous books including “Sand Play”, nationally known lecturer with special interest in child and adolescent psychology, counselor education, sand play and play therapy. Lives in Northridge, CA.

JOHN SEALY, M.D.: Medical Director and Director of Sexual Addictions Unit, Del Amo Hospital, Torrance, CA; past consultant to the Switzer Center for Children with Learning Disabilities, Torrance, CA; national presenter of lectures and seminars on issues of sexuality and addictions and attention deficit disorders in children, adolescents and adults. Currently in private practice in Torrance, CA where he lives. He has worked with young people for over 30 years with a special interest in young adult development.

MERRIL SIMON, Ph.D.: Professor in Department of Educational Psychology & Counseling at California State University Northridge, teaches Masters in Counseling students who specialize in college students. She is the 2004-5 chair of the California Registry for Professional Counselors. Registered California Professional Career Counselor and Master Career Counselor. Career counselor for adults in transition and college career counselor in higher educational settings for 20 years.

LAWRENCE STONE, M.D.: Past executive medical director of Laurel Ridge Treatment Center, San Antonio, Tex.; clinical professor of psychiatry at University of Texas Health Center, San Antonio, Tex.; past President of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; co-author and co-editor of “The Basic Handbook of Child Psychiatry” “Standards for Psychiatric Facilities Serving Children and Adolescents”, APA, and “Accreditation Manual for Psychiatric Facilities Serving Children and Adolescents,” (JCAHO). He currently is in private practice in child and adolescent psychiatry and psychoanalysis and is involved in a national initiative dealing with youth violence. He lives in San Antonio, TX.

back to top