My Background

Dr. John F Robison, PhD, LCSW

After earning a Master of Social Welfare degree from UCLA, I began my career by working with youth in Los Angeles who were in gangs or using drugs or had dropped out of high school. My program was a safe, neutral place where my kids showed determination to learn, grow and build their lives.

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I next worked for the County of Orange Drug Abuse Services as an LCSW. I started and ran groups in several high schools for teens wanting help to get clean from drugs. I also counseled adults and families struggling with substance abuse.

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I returned to UCLA to earn a PhD in Psychology. My focus was on the integration of spirituality with psychology and psychotherapy. I studied many cultures and the variety and richness of ways that humans find meaning and nurture spirituality. My dissertation was on the 12 Steps for addiction recovery, which is a spiritual program, and how it can integrate with psychotherapy.

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After graduating, I lectured in Social Work practice and research at Cal State University Long Beach and CSU Los Angeles for several years. I also lectured in psychological research at Trinity College in Anaheim, which focused on integrating psychology and spirituality in its graduate counseling programs.

During my years of doctoral studies and teaching I also worked in a variety of mental health settings, conducting individual and group therapy in inpatient, partial and day treatment programs. I also did career counseling with laid-off aerospace workers.

For many years I was in the organizational leadership of several large behavioral healthcare companies. I directed clinical and quality improvement programs. I learned from professionals around the country trying to implement new and best therapy practices. I learned how organizations can best develop their mission and teams to address behavioral health challenges. 

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I love the water and its healing powers! I am a bodysurfer, master swimmer and a certified scuba diver.