Dr. James D. Sterling
Dr. James D. Sterling has enjoyed a long, successful career of private practice and clinical instruction. Studying with some of the most respected therapists of our time, including Olga Silverstein, has enriched his years of experience. Olga Silverstein, as Dr. James D. Sterling points out, was on the faculty of the Ackerman Institute for the Family. Dr. James D. Sterling says Silverstein was a renowned therapist and author whose approach to family therapy shaped his own approaches. Dr. James D. Sterling shares his experiences with Silverstein below.
Q: Olga Silverstein seemed to have touched many lives during her time with the Ackerman Institute for the Family.
Dr. James D. Sterling: Ms. Silverstein died at 87 years of age and the tributes were remarkable. She was a very gifted therapist. She never shied away from taking on the most difficult and apparently intractable cases, which she treated with patience and graceful insight.
Q: Judging by her many published books, she had some very popular theories on family therapy.
Dr. James D. Sterling: Her book The Courage to Raise Good Men is still popular today. The book helped mothers achieve the balance between having a close relationship with their male children and allowing those children to assert their independence.
Q: Ms. Silverstein specifically mentioned a boy is expected to leave home at a certain age.
Dr. James D. Sterling: Yes, she observed that in society, it seems to be expected that a boy will begin to separate from home and family in adolescence.
Q: And how did she feel this impacts the mother?
Dr. James D. Sterling: She felt this resulted in a feeling of abandonment in the mother. She believed our culture should rethink old stereotypes of the mother-son relationship.
Q: Olga Silverstein was on the faculty of the Ackerman Institute for the Family. Could you tell us a little more about this facility?
Dr. James D. Sterling: The Ackerman Institute is a renowned research and training facility, specializing in the area of family therapy.
Q: Could you provide some examples of what the Ackerman Institute is currently doing?
Dr. James D. Sterling: One of the Institute’s many focuses is the lack of diversity in family therapy. While nearly half of the country’s population will be minorities by the year 2050, the number of minority family therapists is alarmingly low. Four percent nationally, to be exact.
Q: How has Olga Silverstein’s legacy lived on through the Institute?
Dr. James D. Sterling: The Olga Silverstein Training award is given each year to a deserving student in the Institute’s clinical program.
Q: What other research did Ms. Silverstein pioneer?
Dr. James D. Sterling: In the mid-70s, she and Peggy Papp co-founded the Brief Therapy Project, which created strategic interventions that can be found in a training film called “Who’s Depressed?”
Q: Was there more work in women’s issues while Ms. Silverstein was at the Institute?
Dr. James D. Sterling: Along with two other women, Ms. Silverstein and Peggy Papp created The Women’s Project, which centered on eradicating sexism in clinical practice. Their work made great movements toward leveling the playing field in clinical psychology.
After obtaining his doctorate from the University of Chicago, Dr. James D. Sterling began his career in private practice. Currently, Dr. James D. Sterling sees clients at the New York Center for Psychotherapy where he serves and Director.
I love that all these years after Olga Silverstein’s death, Dr. James D. Sterling continues to give her praise.
Death does not erase the accomplishments one achieved during life. And until we meet again, I shall continue to learn those lessons she taught me during her life.
My best,
Dr. James D. Sterling
My question for Dr. James D. Sterling is this: how much of Silverstein’s teachings do you employ in your own practice?
I try to honor my old mentor as much as possible. I feel that her work is truly beneficial for mothers who have trouble connecting with their sons, especially in the teenage years.
My best,
Dr. James D. Sterling
Where can I find more information about Dr. James D. Sterling?
Contact the New York Center for Psychotherapy.
My best,
Dr. James D. Sterling
Dr. James D. Sterling has always been an advocate of diversity in the field. He was one of the reasons that I, as a Hispanic woman, chose to enter into family therapy. I’ll admit, it has been difficult at times but I see so many improvements and many more ethnicities represented.
I greatly hope that you have been able to use your position to influence more young girls in minority groups to follow your footsteps. My best to you and thank you for doing the work now so the next generation will have a solid foundation upon which to thrive.
My best,
Dr. James D. Sterling
How many years did it take you to become truly comfortable in what you do? The name Dr. James D. Sterling is well known in the NYC area so I am curious how long it took you to become so revered. I am considering my career options now and therapist is definitely in the top 3.
After school, I worked with numerous more experienced practitioners for many years until I felt truly qualified to dole out advice. However, I will say that I always knew this was my calling and I am so glad I chose this profession.
My best,
Dr. James D. Sterling
I count both Olga Silverstein and Dr. James D. Sterling as my inspirations. I was so glad to come across this article where he so lovingly praised her.
To be considered alongside of Silverstein is a true honor and I thank you for that.
My best,
Dr. James D. Sterling
I’d like to ask Dr. James D. Sterling what his thoughts are on encouraging young men to leave home just after high school. Is it a mistake? I am facing this choice with my 17-year-old son.
That really depends upon your son and his abilities to care for himself. Boys do not become men overnight and some take months or even years longer than their friends to truly be ready for the responsibilities that go along with independent self-care. I would encourage you to help him gain the skills he needs without rushing him out the door on his birthday.
My best,
Dr. James D. Sterling
I love that Dr. James D. Sterling mentioned Peggy Papp. Her work with The Brief Therapy Project inspired my mother to begin working in mental health.
That is wonderful to hear. Papp was a very clever lady and a real pioneer in the field.
My best,
Dr. James D. Sterling
Prior to Mrs. Papp’s involvement with The Woman’s Project, women were woefully underrepresented in medicine across the board. While it may not have evened the playing field, it certainly helped. I applaud Dr. James D. Sterling for taking the time to give her a mention so many years after her work.
She, along with Mrs. Silverstein and many dozens of equality advocates, made a huge mark in the field and I still see the results of their collective efforts at work today.
My best,
Dr. James D. Sterling
I was unaware of how big the gap was for minorities in mental health positions compared to the general population. I’d like to know if Dr. James D. Sterling has any inkling why that is?
It has much, I’m afraid, to do with access to education. Many minorities simply don’t have the same opportunities as non-minorities. Many states have taken steps toward fixing this, specifically by allowing for two years of free college, but it will take many more years for the numbers to even out.
My best,
Dr. James D. Sterling