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Don MacMannis
Don MacMannis

Role(s):

Specialties:

SEL

Affiliations:

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 forty-five 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 award-winning book, Who’s the Boss?: The Win-Win-Way to Parent Your Strong-Willed Child has been instrumental in helping over a thousand families.  Don won the title of “Best Family Therapist” in a poll taken by SBParent.com.

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.

Don has a strong interest in educating parents, teachers, and children. He was the music director and a songwriter for the PBS animated series, Jay Jay the Jet Plane. He has been a guest on numerous radio programs, has had articles featured in The National Psychologist, The Therapist, and Time for Kids, and has appeared on national television. His latest creative project, Happy Kids Songs, is a series of award-winning songs and activities for children 4-8 years old. A link to his children’s music, videos, and articles on parenting can be found at HappyKidsSongs.com.

Don has been married for thirty-five years to Debra Manchester and they co-direct the Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbara together. They have two sons and two granddaughters and his other greatest loves are music, tennis, organic gardening, hiking, and travel.