About the Author

Dr. Robert DeYoung, better known as Dr. Bob, was born some number of years ago in Paterson, New Jersey. Shooting up like a weed, with long arms and legs, he took an interest in swimming at 10 and after only swimming for one year, he won the AAU Junior Olympics at age 11. Finding his passion in the water, Bob quickly became a nationally ranked swimmer and Olympic hopeful before he was 17 years old. He received full athletic scholarships from a number of schools and decided to attend a small Christian school in the Midwest because of their swimming program. Sadly, his swimming career was cut short when the school dropped the swim team. Bob swam for Monmouth College the next year, but after falling in love with a girl whose dad taught at the King’s College in New York - which did not have a swim team - he gave up a chance at being on the Olympic team, and eventually graduated with a BA in Philosophy.

During his studies, Bob came to believe that Psychology was, in many respects, applied Philosophy; so he went on to complete his MA in General Psychology at Montclair State University in 1982. He quickly found his niche within the addictions field, working both inpatient and outpatient, and he helped develop the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) at Newton Memorial Hospital. Many schools requested Bob to give presentations on various topics, both for teachers and students as they discovered his wit, humor and charismatic way of presenting. He was a keynote speaker for the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) at Atlantic City after pioneering some Student Assistance programs and publishing his first article of the field. He became a popular presenter, speaking at the National Adolescent Treatment Consortium and in several other state and national events.

Bob established his first private practice after completing his Ed.S in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seton Hall in 1986. Acquiring certifications as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a License as a Marriage and Family Therapist, his practice took off. He became an Approved Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and later acquired his license as a Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor as well.

Attracted to the non-traditional, fast-paced approaches used in addictions and family therapy, it became apparent to Bob that these modalities fit him “like a hand in a glove.” His reputation for being an effective and creative therapist quickly spread. He was ‘grandfathered’ in to sit for his license as a Psychologist in 1995, and his practice rapidly expanded to become The Family Psychology Center, in Matamoras, PA, which included six full-time therapists. Bob published more articles, became well known for his work in the court systems, and gained recognition as a Forensic Psychologist, testifying as an expert both locally and nationally over 400 times. During this time, he was the Psychologist for the New York Union of Police. Officers, who do not typically seek therapy, loved his ‘matter-of-fact’, shoot from the hip style.

Bob completed his Doctorate at the American School of Professional Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Argosy University, and was also certified as a Biofeedback Therapist (BCIA). In addition to that, he completed a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2004.

As you may have noticed, he was constantly seeking training and gaining expertise with various counseling modalities. Bob published in several more journals and magazines on the topics of: Forensic Hypnosis, Custody, Stress Inoculation, Trauma, and Investigation. In the meantime, Bob became a charter member of several professional organizations, and was awarded the Outstanding Pioneer Leadership Award with the International College of Prescribing Psychologists in 1998 for his work in psychopharmocology.

Bob eventually reduced the size and scope of his flourishing practice, modified his credentials, and the Family Psychology Center became the Family Center for Behavioral Health. He no longer maintains any licenses, and has limited the scope of the Center, thereby eliminating any need to depend on insurance and/or managed care reimbursement.

Due to his excellent work and rapport with the law enforcement community, Bob was invited to enroll as a full-time recruit in the Police Chief’s Association of Orange County, Police Academy in New Windsor, New York. This opportunity allowed him to pursue a long time interest in police work. At the age of 52, Bob not only completed the full-time Police Academy, but he became the class President and was awarded the Physical Training Award while competing with recruits half his age. While still maintaining a part-time counseling practice, he became a Police Officer for the Warwick, NY, police department.

To add to the already ambitious accomplishments, Bob then qualified as a Motorcycle Cop, which was a childhood dream come true. The qualifications to be a Motor Officer are perhaps one of the most difficult in law enforcement - quite a challenge despite being an avid motorcyclist his entire life. Bob became the only Motor Cop in America who was also a doctor. He also became a state certified Instructor in the Academy, where he continues to teach through the present.

Despite not training in swimming for many years, Bob once again competed against approximately 200 swimmers, at the age of 53; during this time, he won a team gold medal in the American Triathlon with his son, Nathanael, and another police officer. With time, and due to certain financial constraints, Bob regrettably left his law enforcement position in NY to return to his counseling and training practice while becoming an instructor in Psychology at SUNY, Orange. He is also a Community Activist, and he frequently presents at various political events.

Bob is madly in love with his beautiful wife and best friend, Stacy and is the proud father of three grown and highly successful children: Nathanael, who is happily married, is an Academy Instructor as well as a Narcotics Officer and S.W.A.T. Team member in Middletown, NY; Benjamin recently graduated with a BS in Pre-Med from Messiah College, and is attending Grad School to complete a Doctorate in Pharmacology; and Naomi, who skipped several grades to enroll in Messiah’s Pre-Med program, is completing her senior year and hopes to become a surgeon.

Bob continues to inspire people with his creative and enthusiastic approaches to life’s challenges. Throughout the years, many individuals have encouraged him to write down the unusual, practical and highly effective manner in which he seems to be able to transform the lives of those around him. Dr.Bob finally wrote his first book: Joe and the CEO: A common sense approach to changing your mind.