Don MacMannis, Ph.D.

Don MacMannis, Ph.D. is a child and family psychologist and Clinical Director of the Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbara. He has specialized in the treatment of children and families for over forty years.He has a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth, a masters in school-child psychology from University of Virginia, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from California School of Professional Psychology. He won the title of “Best Family Therapist” in a recent Santa Barbara poll.

“Dr. Mac” is the co-author of two highly acclaimed books: How’s Your Family Really Doing?: 10 Keys to a Happy Loving Family, and Who’s the Boss? The Win-Win Way to Parent Your Defiant Strong-Willed Child. His online course, Parenting Spirited Strong-Willed Kids is attended by parents internationally.

Also specializing in creative projects for young children, he was music director, scriptwriter and songwriter for the PBS hit series, Jay Jay the Jet Plane. More recently he has written songs for Nick Jr.’s number one show, Mutt & Stuff.

Dr. Mac’s Happy Kids Songs are a series of over fifty songs and activities that have been shown to help boost character, social and emotional learning.

Finally, Don has just completed the script and music for a play entitled Elementary School Musical. Packed with humor, mystery and surprise, the story taps into a variety of challenging themes for today’s kids. The eight original award-winning songs for this musical have been professionally recorded and mastered, providing a template for theater groups, schools and classrooms everywhere.