Meet The Author

David Matteson taught psychology and counseling for almost three decades at Governor’s State University, south of Chicago, an educational institution founded on experiential teaching. He holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Alfred University, a graduate degree in theology from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, and a Ph.D. in counseling from Boston University. He has been a practitioner both in the ministry and in secular mental health. Dr. Matteson helped found a psychology department at Marietta College in Ohio, and later was Director of Mental Health Services in Washington County Ohio.
His published works include chapters in several books, research in such journals as Adolescence, American Psychologist, Developmental Psychology, The Family Psychologist, Individual Psychology, Journal of Homosexuality, and Journal of Sex Research, and has authored or co-authored two previous books, Adolescence Today: Sex Roles and the Search for Identity, and Ego Identity: A Handbook for Psychosocial Research (with James Marcia, Alan Waterman, et al.)
Matteson has lived in three very different cultures: American, Danish, and Indian, and has done research and taught graduate courses in all three.
He has traveled widely and regularly explores the religions and spiritual paths of the cultures he visits. Now retired from full-time teaching, Dr. Matteson frequently makes presentations or teaches as a guest professor. He is a licensed clinical psychologist and continues a small private practice in addition to writing and traveling. Matteson has been married for 46 years and he and his wife Sandra live in the racially integrated south suburbs of Chicago. They are parents to two adopted biracial children, Eric, who is currently working on a law degree, and Heather, who is a regional Human Resource Director for a major international business.

David R. Matteson