Robert Flax
Bio:Bob Flax, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist, educator, activist, and organization development consultant. He is a faculty member and Chief Research Coordinator at Saybrook University and the Vice President for North American Operations at the Democratic World Federalists
www.dwfed.org. He has a B.A. in psychology and philosophy from New York University, an M.A. in psychology from Long Island University, an M.A. in organization development from Sonoma State University, and a Ph.D. from Saybrook Institute.
In the Spring 2013 semester Dr. Flax will be teaching 2025 Systems of Psychotherapy and 6505 Healthy Communities.
Dr. Flax began his career as a psychotherapist in the late 1970’s. His early work focused on psychotherapy integration, therapist growth and development, increasing psychotherapy effectiveness, and complimentary and alternative medicine. From 1994 to 2010 he worked for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. From this experience, combined with international travel and humanitarian work, he became interested in the ways large systems contribute to human suffering. As a result he pursued training in organization development and conflict resolution, expanding his focus to include organizational, community and global systems. This led to his current involvement as a global governance activist with the World Federalist movement – working to create a democratically elected global government, capable of ending war and responding to today’s most pressing problems.
As a Therapist, he worked at the Boerum Hill Rehabilitation Residence, the Marin County Psychiatric Emergency Services, the Bay Area Depression & Anxiety Treatment Center, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and in private practice. He trained at the New Institute for Gestalt Therapy, the Contextual Therapy Center, and The Bay Area Depression Treatment Center.
As an Administrator/Supervisor, he managed the East/West Center for Holistic Health, founded and directed the Contextual Psychotherapy Associates, supervised the residential psychiatric program at the Westside Lodge, co-directed the Bay Area Depression & Anxiety Treatment Center, coordinated a graduate program in clinical psychology at Sierra University, and served as a Supervisor with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
As an Educator, he has been on the faculty of LaGuardia Community College, Sierra University, William Lyon University, John F. Kennedy University, and the Professional School of Psychology and since 1993 at Saybrook University. He has taught courses and seminars in psychology, organization development, social change and research. He has also conducted workshops nationally in therapeutic effectiveness.
As a Consultant, he has conducted organizational development, leadership, and communications training programs for a number of organizations ranging from small non-profits to IBM.
As a Social Change Agent, he has been involved in prison reform, building intentional communities, conflict resolution, and citizen diplomacy in Nepal and Burundi.
Dr. Flax lives in a cohousing community in the San Francisco Bay Area and enjoys outdoor adventure activities, swing dancing and meditation.
His current interests and activities include:
• World Federalism - Establishing a democratically elected world government capable of ending war and effectively addressing major world problems.
• Intentional Communities - Building collaborative and sustainable communities and neighborhoods.
Dr. Flax is also available to work with students in these areas:
• Citizen Diplomacy
• Conflict Resolution
• Holistic Health
• Organizational Culture
• Prison Reform
• Psychotherapy Effectiveness
• Psychotherapist Growth and Development
• Psychotherapy Integration
• Restorative Justice
• Spiritual Practice
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