Stephen M. Langer, Ph.D.
1021 Legion Way SE
Olympia, WA. 98501-1522
Office: (360)754-8540
Fax: (360)486-0116
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy
University of Montana, Missoula, MT Major: Clinical Psychology (APA approved) Minor: Physiological Psychology. Dissertation Title: “Marital Therapy of Chronic Pain Patients: A Multiple Baseline Study”, 1983.
Master of Arts: Psychology
University of Montana, Missoula, MT Thesis Title: “The Relationship Between Will, Self-esteem and Depression”, 1980.
Bachelor of Science: Psychology
University of Washington, Seattle, WA Senior Honors Thesis Title: “Perception of Males and
Females in Emergency Situations: Causal
Attributions to Explain Successful and
Unsuccessful Outcomes”, 1977.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
1994-PresentDirector Northwest Brief Therapy Training Center, Olympia, WA Workshops and seminars in solution-focused therapy. Consultation, training and supervision for clinicians and agencies.
1983-PresentPsychologist Private practice, Olympia, WA
Solution-focused psychotherapy of adult and adolescent clients. Depression, anxiety, psycho-physiological disorders, drug and alcohol problems, relationship issues and post-traumatic stress disorders. Work with EMS and police department personnel. Fitness for duty evaluations and critical incident debriefings.
2008-2010Team Psychologist Foster Care Assessment Program — Region 6: Community Youth Services
Comprehensive assessment of foster children's health and well-being to assist in service planning, implementation and accomplishing permanency for challenging cases. Team members include social workers, psychiatrist, clinical director and evaluators.
July 1997-April 1998Acting Correctional Mental Health Program Manager and Psychologist 5 Washington Corrections Center for Women, Purdy, WA. (20 hours/week)
Management of out-patient mental health unit, supervision of mental health staff, training and consultation with Treatment and Evaluation Center staff. Evaluation and treatment of incarcerated female offenders for State of Washington.
1986-1996Expert Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA (4 hours/week). Consultation and instruction in biofeedback training and psychophysiological disorders to Psychology Service and Wellness Clinic staff.
1986-PresentMental Health Team Member Thurston County Critical Incident Debriefing Team, Olympia, WA (Volunteer).
Debriefings of paramedics, firefighters and law enforcement personnel in Thurston Co. and surrounding area on as needed basis.
1985-1988Staff Psychologist St. Peter Hospital, Olympia, WA (20 hours/week). Psychological consultation and evaluation in wards and 26 bed inpatient psychiatric unit. Group therapy,individual and family therapy. Staff training. Member, Clinical Management Committee, liaison with hospital physicians.
1982-1986Staff Psychologist Behavioral Medicine Clinic, Olympia, WA
Clinician in a private clinic specializing in outpatient management of acute and chronic pain and psycho-physiological stress disorders (pain, headaches, stress, TMJ, etc.). Biofeedback, psychotherapy, medication management, hypnosis, relaxation and patient education.
1981-1982Intern Psychology Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Highland Drive, Pittsburgh, PA (APA approved).
Psychological assessment and treatment of inpatient and outpatient veterans. Hypnotherapy, biofeedback and relaxation therapy. Medical consultation and teaching nurses in relaxation training. Member, Intern Selection Committee, evaluation of in-service training.
1982Extern Children’s Hospital-Pittsburgh, Child Development Unit, School Function Program (9 hours/week).
Assessment and follow-up of children with learning disabilities and behavior problems. Supervision of cases, psychotherapy with children and parents.
1977- 1981Psychology Trainee/Student Psychologist V.A.M.C. Richmond, VA and Battle Creek, MI Practicum Assistant Clinical Psychology Counseling Center, University of Montana, Missoula, MT Student Psychologist Montana State Prison, Deer Lodge, MT
1976-1977Counselor Mercer Inn Psychiatric Halfway House for Women, Seattle, WA
Responsibility for 40 residents during eight hour shift. Counseling, developing and implementing care plans. Teaching communication skills.
1975-1977Phone Crisis Intervention Worker, Counselor Open Door Clinic, Seattle, WA (4-8 hours/week).
Phone crisis intervention, crisis outreach. Counseling drug abusers, homeless, detoxification of heroin addicts, dissemination of information on licit and illicit drugs, training new phone workers. Developed structured heroin detoxification program.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2001-PresentFaculty International Trauma Treatment Program, Olympia, WA
Teaching providers from war zones psychological trauma treatment and prevention methods for use in their home countries.
1998-2008Faculty Affiliate Psychology Department, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Teaching and mentoring clinical psychology graduate students, overseeing graduate student research on an as needed basis.
1988-PresentWorkshop Instructor Topics include solution-focused therapy, biofeedback, treatment of anxiety disorders, chronic pain, sleep disorders, head injured and relaxation therapies to fellow professionals.
1980-1981Teaching Assistant Psychology Department, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Assisted graduate students in developing interviewing skills in Interview and Case History class. Taught lab in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, assistant taught Abnormal Psychology class.
1979Instructor Division of Continuing Education, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Taught Abnormal Psychology (5 credits) to professionals in related fields.
PUBLICATIONS
Langer, S. "Solution-focused work in war-torn countries: Uganda as a case example"
Context: The Magazine for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK, pp. 9-11, 118
December 2011
Langer, S. Editorial consultant in Franklin, C., Trepper, T.S., Gingerich, W.J. & McCollum, E.E., eds.
"Solution-focused Brief Therapy: A Handbook of Evidence-based Practice". New York: Oxford University Press
2011
Langer, S. M. "A few useful questions from solution-focused therapy," Frontlines: Newsletter of the WA Association of County Designated Mental Health Professionals, pp. 2, 3.
1999
Berg, I. K. & Miller, S. D. "Working With the Problem Drinker," Mr. Meeks Miracle Day transcribed therapy session, Chapter 8, pp. 149-187, New York: Norton Books
1992
Anton, B. S., Langer, S. M., & McCarty, J. "Biofeedback, autogenic and visualization training in the treatment of pediatric migraine and tension headache." Proceedings of the 21st Annual Meeting of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, pp. 5-7.
1990
Johnson, C. H., Shenoy, R. S., & Langer, S. M. "Relaxation therapy for somatoform disorders," Hospital and Community Psychiatry, pp. 32, 423-424.
1981
Langer, S. M. "Toward a new approach to heroin detoxification," Open Door Clinic Training Manual, Seattle, pp. 101-122.
1976
PRESENTATIONS
Langer, S.M., Master of Ceremony and discussant One Heart. Many Hands: Conference on Solution-focused Practice November, 2013
One day Researchers Meeting
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Langer, S.M., Master of Ceremony and discussant Celebrating Solutions: Conference on Solution-focused Practice November, 2012
One day Researchers Meeting
Bloomington, Minneapolis, MN
Langer, S.M. & Gallagher, D. SFBTA Training in Wider Contexts November, 2012
Workshop at Celebrating Solutions: Conference on Solution-focused Practice
Bloomington, Minneapolis, MN
Langer, S.M., Master of Ceremony and discussant Conference on Solution-focused Practice: Expanding the Vision November, 2011
One day Researchers Meeting
Bakersfield, CA
Langer, S.M. Conference on Solution-Focused Practices: Refining the Art November 2010
Workshop on solution-focused trauma treatment with war refugees
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Langer, S.M., Master of Ceremony and discussant Bridging the Gap between Solution-focused Research and Solution-focused Practice: Refining the Art November 2010
One day Researchers Meeting
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Langer, S.M. and Vidakovic, I. Solution-focused trauma treatment with war refugees November 2010
Report on a randomized controlled treatment study in Serbia. Paper presented at the European Brief Therapy Association meeting
Malmö, Sweden
Langer, S.M. Solution-focused Supervision August 2010
Paper presented in Solution-focused Therapy and Research-Contribution to Strength-based Psychology Symposium at American Psychological Association Meeting
San Diego, CA
Langer, S.M., Master of Ceremony and discussant Conference on Solution-focused Practice November 2009
One day Researchers Meeting
Albany, NY
Langer, S.M. Evidence Based Practice and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Issues and Concerns Among Policy-Makers, Agency Implementers and Practitioners November 2008
Researcher's Meeting panel at the 2008 Conference on Solution Focused Practices
Austin, TX
Langer, S.M. "Real World" Views of Evidence Based Practices and SFBT November 2008
SFBTA Panel Discussion on Research Designs with Janet Bavelas, Sara Smock, Cynthia Franklin at the 2008 Conference on Solution Focused Practices
Austin, TX
Langer, S.M. & Schenck, K. Implementing SF-Management: Evolution from Practice Model to Management Model May 2008
Case presentation at the Solutions Organizations Linkup Conference
Cologne, Germany
Langer, S.M. Solution Focused Trauma Treatment in the Middle East and Africa April 2008
Plenary presentation at the 1st Solution Focused World Conference
Aruba
Langer, S.M. Evidence-based Practice and Solution-focused Brief Therapy: The Washington Experience November 2006
Researchers' Meeting panel at the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Association meeting
Denver, CO
Langer, S. M. Fostering Hope in War Zones: Training Workers in SFBT March 2006 Paper presented at the International Solution Focused Trainer's Conference
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Langer, S. M. Working with the somatically focused. October 2004 Paper presented at the European Brief Therapy Association Conference
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Langer, S. M. A miracle from below: A hospital case study May 2004
Paper presented at Solutions in Organizations Link-up Conference
Stockholm, Sweden
Langer, S.M. Back to the Future November 2003
Closing Plenary at the inaugural Conference on Solution-focused Practices with Insoo Kim Berg, Steve deShazer, Jennifer and David Andrews, Dan Gallagher and Yvonne Dolan
Loma Linda, CA
Langer, S. M. Critical incident stress: A brief introduction. April 2002
Presented at the Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference
Bellevue, WA
Langer, S. M. Doing something different: A solution-focused reconceptualization of the treatment of trauma. September 1999
Paper presented at the European Brief Therapy Association meeting
Carlisle, U.K.
Langer, S. M. Solution-focused therapy in a women’s prison.
September 1998
Paper presented at European Brief Therapy Association meeting
Salamanca, Spain
Langer, S. M. & Thomas, F. Training issues in solution-focused therapy.
September 1998
Paper presented at European Brief Therapy Association meeting
Salamanca, Spain
Langer, S. M. Issues in the treatment of problem gamblers and their families.
October 1993
Paper presented at Problem Gambling and the Family Conference
Seattle, WA
Anton, B. S., Langer, S. M., & McCarty, J. "Biofeedback, autogenic and visualization training in the treatment of pediatric migraine and tension headache."
1990
Proceedings of the 21st Annual Meeting of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, pp. 5-7.
Langer, S. M. Post-traumatic stress disorder: Perspectives on assessment and treatment.
April 1988
Paper presented at 1988 AMMED Clinical Psychology Short Course
Seattle, WA
Langer, S. M. Competence to stand trial.
May 1981
Paper presented at Montana Psychological Association meeting
Means, J. R., Langer, S. M., and Wolfe, J. Improving the illusion of free choice.
April 1978
Research paper presented at Montana Psychological Association meeting
WORKSHOPS
Solution-focused Brief Therapy for Adolescents and Families ChildNet Youth and Family Services
Long Beach, CA
December 2013
Three day workshop for professional agency staff in wraparound and outpatient services
Trauma: Solution-focused Treatment Ladros Eğitim & Danişmanlik
Kadiköy-Istanbul, Turkey
April 2013
Two day workshop for mental health professionals in SF trauma treatment
Using a Solution-focused Brief Therapy Approach to Stimulate Change: Working with the Acutely Intoxicated. Government of Yukon Health and Social Services Alcohol & Drug Services, Whitehorse, YK, Canada.
November, 2012.
Multiple day workshop for government and First Nations chemical dependency professionals in acute treatment facilities and outpatient services.
Solution-focused Brief Therapy with Children, Adolescents and Families Albertina Kerry Centers
Portland, OR
September and October 2012
Multiple-day workshop for inpatient and home visiting practitioners working with troubled youth and their families.
Solution-focused Brief Therapy and Solution-focused Trauma Treatment Trinidad and Tobago Association of Psychologists
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
September 2010
Introductory two-day workshop for mental health professionals in SFBT and SF trauma treatment.
Solution-focused Management ITO United Change Companies
Belgrade, Serbia
April 2010
Introductory two-day management workshop for non-profit agencies.
Solution-focused Trauma Treatment International Aid Network
Belgrade, Serbia
April 2010
Advanced solution-focused trauma treatment workshop for refugee center mental health practitioners.
Becoming Solution-focused as an Agency Community Youth Services (CYS)
Olympia, WA
August & September 2009
Multiple-day workshop using solution-focused principles in practice with clients and management of CYS.
Introduction to Solution-focused Brief Therapy Lehman College, City University of New York
Bronx, NY
May 2009
Two-day introductory workshop for college student advisors and counselors.
Solution-focused Trauma Treatment with Kids Multnomah County Mental Health and Addiction Services
Portland, OR
May 2009
Advanced trauma treatment workshop for children's mental health providers.
Solution-focused Supervision Multnomah County Mental Health and Addiction Services
Portland, OR
February to April 2009
Workshop series for mental health care supervisors.
Introduction to Solution-focused Brief Therapy Greater Lakes Mental Health Center
Lakewood, WA
February 2009
One-day introductory workshop for mental health center practitioners.
Solution-focused Brief Therapy with Children Multnomah County Mental Health and Addiction Services
Portland, OR
November 2008 to April 2009
Introductory and advanced workshop series for children's mental health care practitioners.
Solution-focused Management Training for Children's Administration Administrators Children's Administration, Department of Social and Health Services, State of Washington
Olympia, Seattle, Everett, Yakima, Spokane, Tacoma, WA
January 2008 to August 2009
Introductory and advanced workshops for upper level managers, consultations, coaching and peer consultation supervision.
Maintaining Excellence with Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Peninsula Community Mental Health Center
Port Angeles, WA
October 2008
One-day introductory workshop for mental health center practitioners.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: What Is It & What's the Evidence? 2008 Co-Occurring Disorders Conference
State of Washington/DSHS/HRSA/Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Yakima, WA
September 2008
90-minute introduction to SFBT and review of outcome research for chemical dependency counselors and mental health professionals.
Solution-focused Management for Police with Arnoud Huibers, M.A.
Solutions Centre
Holiday Inn Resort
Aruba
April 2008
Two-day workshop for managers of the Cuerpo Policial (Police Corps) of Aruba.
Solution-focused Brief Therapy Community Youth Services (CYS)
Olympia, WA
January 2008
Two-day introductory workshop for CYS staff and child welfare workers on treating troubled children and their families.
Solution-focused Trauma Treatment St. Patrick Hospital
Missoula, MT
November 2007
A one-day workshop sponsored by the University of Montana Clinical Psychology Center.
Advanced Solution-focused Trauma Treatment Pilgrim, Soroti, Uganda
February 2007
Two-day workshop for counselors and health care workers working in Internally Displaced Persons camps in Uganda and Darfur, Sudan, East Africa.
Solution-focused Brief Intervention: How to Make a Change a Positive Experience (and Learn a Bit about SFBT) State of Washington/DSHS Children's Administration
Supervisor/Program Manager Conference: "On the Wings of Change"
Tacoma, WA
June 2006
Two-hour workshop for supervisors/managers to apply solution-focused principles to managing agency change.
The Art of Transformation: Exploring the Movement From Trauma to Transformation International Trauma Treatment Program
Olympia, WA
June 2006
One day panel and breakout session for practitioners working with complex trauma.
Picking Up the Pieces: What To Do During and After a Critical Incident North Thurston Public Schools
Critical Incident Planning Group
Lacey, WA
May 2005, May 2006
Two- and three-hour workshops for district staff on practical approaches to critical incident management for schools.
Introduction to Solution-focused Trauma Treatment Pilgrim, Soroti, Uganda
April 2006
Two-day workshop for counselors working in Internally Displaced Persons camps and with returned child abductees in the Teso tribal area of Uganda.
Crisis Intervention and Brief Therapy WA Association of County Designated Mental Health Professionals, Silverdale, WA.
‘99 Spring Conference, April 1999
One day workshop for involuntary commitment workers on integrating brief therapy methods with crisis intervention/commitment evaluations.
Creating Solutions with Troubled Adolescents Community Youth Services, Olympia WA.
March-April 1999
Two and a half day-workshop for youth service workers and family therapists on solution-focused approaches to the treatment of troubled adolescents and their families.
Einführung in die Lösungsorientierte Therapie Tannenwaldklinik, Bad Schwalbach, Germany
August 1998
Two-day introductory workshop on Solution-focused Brief Therapy (in German).
Journeys from the Problem Universe to the Solution Universe: Solution-focused Treatment of Adolescents and the Chemically Dependent Cooperative University-Provincial Psychiatric Liaison, University of British Columbia, Campbell River, B.C., Canada
February 1998
Two-day workshop on working with adolescents and drugs and alcohol issues using solution-focused methods.
Solutions for School Psychologists I & II North Thurston School District, Olympia, WA.
1998
Eight-week training program for school psychologists, intervention specialists, and school counselors working with students, teachers, and parents using solution-focused principles.
Solution-focused Therapy of Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A Collaborative Treatment Approach Victoria Life Enrichment Society, Dunsmuir Lodge, Vancouver Island, Canada
March 1997
One-day workshop on working with drug and alcohol abusers using Solution-focused Brief Therapy.
Stotzheimer Therapietage, Psychosoziale Klinik St. Martin’s, Euskirchen-Stotzheim, Germany
September 1996
Week long workshop co-taught with Steve de Shazer, founder of Solution-focused Brief Therapy, to an international audience (in German).
Moving From the Problem Universe to the Solution Universe: Brief Solution-focused Therapy Idaho Falls, ID.
April 1996
One-day introduction to Solution-focused Brief Therapy.
Moving From the Problem Universe to the Solution Universe: Brief Solution-focused Therapy Sage Group EAP, Boise, ID.
November 1995
One-day introduction to Solution-focused Brief Therapy.
Working with the Somatically Focused: A Brief Solution-focused Approach Northwest Brief Therapy Training Center, Seattle, WA.
October 1995
Advanced two-day workshop on working with somatizing and physically pre-occupied clients/patients.
Solution-focused Therapy: A Collaborative Treatment Model International School of Alcohol Studies, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND.
July 1995
One-day workshop on drug and alcohol treatment using Solution-focused Brief Therapy.
Maximizing Effectiveness in Psychotherapy: The Brief Solution-focused Approach Northwest Brief Therapy Training Center, Missoula, MT.
April 1995
Intensive two-day introduction to Solution-focused Brief Therapy.
Maximizing Effectiveness in Psychotherapy: The Brief Solution-focused Approach Northwest Brief Therapy Training Center, Seattle, WA.
March 1995
Intensive two-day introduction to Solution-focused Brief Therapy.
Overcoming Overwhelming Fear: A Psychological Treatment of Anxiety/Panic Disorders Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA.
April 1994
Half-day workshop on treating anxiety disorders using solution-focused methods.
Picking Up the Pieces: Helping Chemically Dependent Patients After a Natural Disaster St. Peter Chemical Dependency Unit, Olympia, WA.
October 1994
Half-day workshop for CD counselors on the interaction between CD and PTSD issues.
Maximizing Effectiveness in Psychotherapy: The Brief Solution-focused Approach Northwest Brief Therapy Training Center, Tacoma, WA.
December 1994
Intensive two-day introduction to Solution-focused Brief Therapy.
Working with the Head Injured. Wright Enterprises, Olympia, WA.
December 1994
Half-day workshop for paraprofessionals working with brain injured clients using solution-focused methods.
CONSULTATION
Community Youth Services Olympia, WA.
Management Team, Mother-Baby Unit, Surgery Department, Oncology Unit St. Peter Hospital, Olympia, WA.
Department of Transportation, Department of Corrections, Department of Agriculture, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Department of Social and Health Services/Children's Administration State of Washington, Olympia, WA.
Madigan Army Medical Center Tacoma, WA.
Thurston Conservation District Olympia, WA.
Various businesses regionally and internationally
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS
Solution-focused Brief Therapy Association (Vice President) (2012 to present)
American Psychological Association (associate)
Biofeedback Society of Washington (past president)
Deschutes Psychological Association (founding president)
International Association of Chiefs of Police, Psychology Section
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill / Thurston-Mason Board (2006-2008)
Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (associate)
Solution-focused Brief Therapy Association (Research Committee)
Thurston-Mason Mental Health Advisory Board (1985-1988)
Washington State Psychological Association
CURRENT LICENSES
Licensed to practice psychology State of Washington, 1984
License Number: 929
CURRENT CERTIFICATES
Certificate: Senior Fellow of the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America Institute of America, 2002
Certificate Number: 1886
Certificate: Health Service Provider in Psychology National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, 1985
Certificate Number: 33233
HONORS
Psychologist of the Year: 1999 Deschutes Psychological Association
Olympia, WA.
Bachelor of Science: 1977 Magna cum laude, with distinction in psychology
University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Phi Beta Kappa: 1977 University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Honors Scholar: 1975, 1976, 1977 University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
High Scholarship Certificate: 1975 University of Washington, Seattle, WA.