Tag: professional profiles

A Story of Resilience, Courage and Humanity

The driveway to longtime SDPA member Midge Coburn’s house is steep and winding. It takes focus, attention, and skill to maneuver a car and reach Midge’s garage. Getting to her home may well be a metaphor for the life Midge has led. Her in-person persona, calm, steady, and focused, may belie a life marked by many obstacles, challenges, and tests of her will and character. She has not followed an easy or conventional path but has led a life of determination, guided by strong values reinforced throughout her life.

 Midge has long been interested in people and their lives. As a child in Ontario, California, she loved talking with friends and adults. Not surprisingly, many of her friends sought her company because she listened carefully and cared deeply.

She went to UCLA to study psychology, but she was less than enamored with the experimental psychology courses focused on rat behavior. This wasn’t her calling. She changed her major to sociology, married at 19, and began working as a probation officer. She loved researching people and trying to understand their lives so she could make helpful recommendations. She felt effective in her job because judges often followed her and her colleagues’ recommendations.

Continue reading “Senior Sketch: Midge Coburn”

Christine Baser, a therapist and neuropsychological evaluator, retired after hanging out her shingle in 1988. The mother of two adult daughters, one a psychologist and the other an air traffic controller in training, Chris is known for her competence, calm under pressure, kindness, and pursuit of excellence in all areas of her life. A Duke University graduate, Chris began her career as a psychiatric nurse and later attended CSPP-SD, where she earned a doctorate in clinical psychology. The wife of fellow psychologist Tom Habib, Chris enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Psychologist Bert Edelstein, in his day, took a different path after graduating from CSPP-SD in the 80s than many of his peers. Having worked in industry before graduate school, Bert was clear about his desire to work with companies as an organizational psychologist. Over the years, he consulted with numerous companies on numerous projects. His interpersonal skills and knowledge of his field created demand for his services.

Beyond psychology, Bert and a colleague helped bring to light the remarkable contributions of the Ghost Soldiers, a clandestine group of troops who, during World War II, made an impact by deceiving the enemy. Bert’s father was a member of this elite unit, and Bert helped secure the Medal of Honor for these men who had never been recognized.

An excellent golfer, Bert enjoys travel, art, and fine cuisine with his wife, psychologist Karen Helrich. The parents of two adult children, the Edelsteins, reside in North County. They have been involved with numerous nonprofit organizations over the years, donating their time and effort.

As people age, they start to worry about their legacy. How will they be remembered? Will they be seen as having lived a meaningful and impactful life? Will they be appreciated for leading a purposeful and accomplished life? Were they a good worker? A good spouse? A creative individual?

Of course, their curiosity is doomed to fail since they won’t be around to see how their legacy unfolds. Additionally, each of us experiences our legacies differently. Here is an example.

Thomas F. McGee, Ph.D. died on October 5, 2021 as the age of 91. Dr. McGee was a respected psychologist with a long record of notable contributions in Chicago, where he served as the State Director of Mental Health. There he was instrumental in the development of several community mental health centers in underserved neighborhoods. Moving to San Diego in 1972, Dr. McGee took the position of Director of Outpatient Psychological Services at Mercy Hospital. Later he joined the faculty at California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant University San Diego. He was known as a creative administrator, talented clinician, and wise supervisor.

I didn’t know Tom very well, but I reached out to him for advice several times over the years when I faced complicated situations. Of course, I was fully aware of his accomplishments, and I held a great deal of respect for him. He was very helpful to me.

Years before he died, Tom was invited to take part in the Odyssey Series program organized by the San Diego Psychological Association. The Association asked distinguished psychologists to share their life stories with members who gathered for an evening of dining and fellowship.

Tom’s presentation focused on his lifelong struggle with self-esteem. He spoke humbly, factually, and without fanfare, without inappropriately revealing personal information. 

So, what impressed me? It wasn’t the content of his talk, although his struggle did surprise me; it was the courage he showed in being transparent in front of more than a hundred people. He was honest and authentic. He was sharing his story as he had lived it.

This was his legacy for me.

I was lucky to be invited to dinner at the home of longtime friends David Wexler and Connie Brunig some time ago. I have known David and Connie for 40 years and have seen them regularly. Both have become highly respected psychologists with many friends in the community. Through the years, it’s been meaningful to check in with each other at different points in our lives. It’s as if we have been on a conveyor belt traveling through the lifecycle, appreciating each other’s developmental progress.

David may be one of the few in the history of graduate psychology education who owned a restaurant while attending his Ph.D. program. Is he a good cook? Ask any of his friends. Connie is an excellent therapist, in addition to being a talented writer. Years ago, she was an able editor of the San Diego Psychologist. She reads voraciously and is an intellectually curious person.

David is a nationally known author, therapist, and workshop leader. I once saw a patient who was extolling the praises of Dr. Wexler’s book. He wanted to improve his marriage, and I said, “Why don’t you and your wife see him? He is just down the road?” He did and improved his marriage significantly.

Continue reading “Riding the Conveyor Belt…”

If you were in jail twenty years ago, you might have met Kay DiFrancesca, Past President and Fellow of SDPA. Say what? Kay was not incarcerated, but she was a forensic psychologist for San Diego County and privately for much of her career.

Kay was also the recipient of the SDPA Distinguished Contribution to Psychology Award in 2019. She taught at California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) and has supervised and mentored many students. She is known for being supportive but direct, kind but firm, understanding, and ethical.

Kay has also been a courageous person. She was the first female President of SDPA and was a trailblazer. Men were used to running the Association, and she faced considerable resistance when she took office. She persevered. I have often watched her take and stick to unpopular positions she felt were right.

She supported sex offenders having housing when released from prison and treatment programs. Many felt the same way, but few vocalized their opinions, as there was so much community opposition.  

Kay has three adult sons who all lead exciting lives. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, fine cuisine, and the company of her many friends.  She is currently active on the SDPA Aging Issues Committee.

Katherine DiFrancesca, Ph.D. is now retired. She is one of the many talented psychologists who make up the membership of SDPA.

“Hey, Greg Allman, I am over here!” 
“Yo, Bro, good to see you.”

Piedmont Park in Atlanta was filled with rock bands when this conversation occurred between Clark Clipson and Greg Allman many years ago. The future psychologist spent his Sundays playing in the band lineup with many groups, some of which became famous.

Clark Clipson doesn’t have long hair anymore, and he doesn’t tour the Southeast with his band as he did on weekends as a teenager playing at bars and fraternity houses. One might characterize Dr. Clipson as a man who has embraced change and transformation throughout his life.

Continue reading “A Song Writer at Heart”

Tom MacSpeiden, Ph.D. has been a psychologist and SDPA member for a long time. He is a past president of our association in addition to having contributed in numerous ways to the development of the San Diego psychological community.  For many years Tom was the chief psychologist at the local community mental health center, and he mentored and guided many psychologists who are now prominent in their own right.

Tom is known for his forensic work amongst other things. A few years ago he testified for the defense of Dale Akiki, a developmentally disabled adult, who was accused of abusing children at a church day care center. The LA Times reported,

“Akiki’s trial put all those contradictions in high relief. It pitted Akiki, 36, against nine children who accused him of bludgeoning live animals and drinking their blood as part of his satanic repertoire. One boy even accused Akiki of murdering a baby.”

“Witnesses said Akiki conspired with his wife and another sitter to subject the children to rituals of mayhem, involving urine, feces, water torture and animal mutilation–including the slaughter of an elephant, a giraffe, and a rabbit.”

Continue reading “In Harm’s Way He Stood Tall”