Interns, trainees and social workers who I supervise toward licensure sometimes feel insecure when working with parents and family dynamics. “How can I support someone with parenting when I don’t have kids myself?”
In Tokyo, Japan I led parenting classes for parents from all over the world š. We used the “STEP” curriculum as a launch š pad.
The parents brought the experience of raising children; I brought perspective from developmental psychology, and listening to children.
Once a week for eight (8) weeks, the parents connected with each other, and we shared a sense of community. We normalized disagreement as an opportunity to learn, and acknowledgement of our different cultures and countries interacting with each other.
Life goes in circles, now I’m a father, supporting men to be the father who they would like to be.
James Wogan, MFT, LCSW, is a child and family therapist in Rockridge Oakland, CA. James brings a unique combination of experience, knowledge and skills into his private practice counseling office. James also teaches, leads trainings / professional development, and works for equity and community health as a school administrator in public education. James developed and administered highly successful and state-recognized programs such as School-based Wellness Centers, Foster Youth Services, the Homeless Outreach Program for Education (HOPE), Interagency Collaboration / Integrated Care, Expulsion Diversion / District Positive Behavior Team, and Youth Employment Services (WIOA YES) to strengthen workforce readiness for people beginning rewarding careers after high school. James wrote the framework and has trained hundreds of staff members in trauma informed practice through the lens of equity and School Coordinated Care Teams, the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) used for the delivery of support services in school settings. James lived in Tokyo, Japan where he was a child and family therapist serving students who attended international schools. Jamesā career in family therapy, social work and public education has included program development, publications and workshops on adolescent mental health, suicide prevention, parenting, expatriate family dynamics, interagency collaboration, LGBTQ youth, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), and trauma-informed practices.
James brings stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to the table and engages openly in conversations about race and privilege. His work has earned recognition from the United States Congress, California Senate and Assembly, and awards from the PTA Association of California, and NASW Northern California for developing outstanding internship / field placement training for BSW and MSW candidates at San Francisco State University, San Jose State University, CSU East Bay, and UC Berkeley. James is an active advocate for equity and inclusion, bringing youth, parent, and caregiver voice to local and state government.
James graduated from UC Berkeley (MSW) and Guilford College in North Carolina (B.S. with honors). He also studied at CSU-East Bay, the California School of Professional Psychology, San Francisco State University, and the University of North Carolina (UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Greensboro). James provides clinical supervision for candidates pursuing licensure as LCSW or LMFT. He enjoys time with his amazing wife and two boys in the Bay Area, CA.
Email: jameswogan@yahoo.com i-mobile: 925.250.5500 Twitter: @jameswogan
LinkedIn: jameswogan FlipBoardĀ® Magazines: Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Interagency Collaboration, Foster Youth Education
View all posts by James Wogan MFT LCSW
The parents brought the experience of raising children; I brought perspective from developmental psychology, and listening to children.
James Wogan LCSW 