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Going for the Silver

Monday, Jun 29, 2009

Christopher Christian welcomes guests to a silver anniversary dinner in April.

By Wendy Basil

It seems just right that the Community Counseling and Parent Child Study Center is celebrating its silver anniversary this year.

In psychological language, silver is associated with emotional balance. This precious metal is linked to wisdom and responsibility. It’s also a match for a few silver strands in the beard of Director Christopher Christian, Ph.D., who’s known as both smart and balanced. The modest, soft-spoken director is eager to discuss what’s next for the center and his ambitious dreams for its future.

Christian was on the tenure track in Long Island University’s Ph.D. program in clinical psychology before agreeing to foster a center with big plans in California. A licensed clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst, he was intrigued by the idea of creating a “brain trust” where serious research could directly benefit an underserved community. Originally located in CLU’s Student Health Services, the center is now in its own building on campus, complete with 12 treatment rooms. Toys and sand trays indicate the play therapy areas.

Last year, the center celebrated a new mission and a new name. With a prominent focus on research, it was christened the Community Counseling and Parent Child Study Center. As part of its mission, the center is dedicated to helping train graduate students as mental health care clinicians. Christian believes in the concept of “theory into practice” as the best way to learn and to serve.

Read the rest of the story in the Spring 2009 issue of CLU Magazine.



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