A Phi Beta graduate of Harvard University, Dr. Howard J. Parad earned his Master’s Degree from Boston University, and his Doctorate from Columbia University. He has been elected as a Distinguished Practitioner to the National Academy of Practice in Social Work. He is a Board Certified Diplomat in Social Work (BCD).

Dr. Parad’s agency experience includes assignments in family counseling, child guidance, public health, and mental health settings. He has been an LCSW since 1972, and is currently serving as a Volunteer Program and Research Consultant for All ‘Bout Children (ABC).

With Dr. Libbie G. Parad, he co-authored Crisis Intervention, Book 2: The Practitioner’s Sourcebook for Brief Therapy (Family Service America, Milwaukee, 1990), which includes a chapter on “Crisis Prevention for Parents of Children with Handicapping Conditions”. His other publications deal with ego psychology, family treatment, industrial social work, interdisciplinary collaboration in community mental health, and emergency medical care.

Formerly Dean and Professor at the Smith College School for Social Work, Dr. Parad has served on the faculty of Harvard University, Boston University, University of California, University of Hawaii, and most recently at the University of Southern California. He has also lectured in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Israel.

Dr. Parad has served as a consultant and staff development specialist to a variety of programs including the California Department of Mental Health; the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); the Mental Research Institute (Soteria House Project); the Veterans Administration; Kaiser Permanente; Cedars-Sinai; the U.S. Army Medical Corps; Metropolitan Hospital; Portals (Social Rehabilitation Center); UCLA Staff and Faculty Counseling Center; the National Kidney Foundation; Wediko Children’s Services; and the Tri County Developmental Disabilities Board (Santa Barbara).

Dr. Parad served as Principal Investigator for the following research projects: “Time-Limited Programs of Crisis Intervention” (National Institute of Mental Health); “Knowledge and Skill Needs in Community Mental Health” (Western Interstate Commission of Higher Education); and “Role of the Social Worker in Emergency Medical Care” (University of Southern California).