Dr. Gerald Loren Fishkin combines strong academic credentials with an engaging, straightforward personality. He is an articulate professional known for his clear, candid approach to discussing human behavior, free from the use of clichés, "psychobabble," or reliance on statistics. His insightful anecdotes, drawn from years of experience, resonate with audiences, adding a touch of humor to his counsel.
Dr. Fishkin holds both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in clinical psychology and has been in private practice since 1970. He furthered his training with a post-doctoral fellowship in London under Dr. Harold Greenwald, the founder of Direct-Decision Therapy, in 1978. During his doctoral studies, he had the honor of working as a graduate assistant to Viktor Frankl, M.D., the founder of Logotherapy and author of Man’s Search for Meaning.
In 1980, Dr. Fishkin delivered a keynote address at the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs conference, focusing on the rising issue of police stress and burnout. His pioneering work in police stress management earned him recognition from the Long Beach Police Officers Association, who presented him with their Outstanding Achievement Award in 1982.
A respected member of several professional organizations, Dr. Fishkin holds full clinical membership in the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, The British Psychological Society, and others. He has been an Adjunct Professor at Long Beach City College and California State University, Long Beach, since 1971, where he developed and taught both basic and advanced police training programs in applied psychology. He has led workshops for Police Officer Standards and Training on topics such as mentally ill, sexually deviant, and aggressive offenders. Additionally, Dr. Fishkin has served as an expert witness in high-profile police and fire-related cases. His biography has been included in every edition of Who's Who in the West since 1978.
Dr. Fishkin is also a prolific author. His first book, Police Burnout: Signs, Symptoms and Solutions, published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich in 1988, illustrates the causes of burnout and practical solutions. His second book, Firefighter and Paramedic Burnout: The Guide for Survival, followed in 1989. In his third book, American Dream, American Burnout: How to Cope When It All Gets to Be Too Much, he addresses the pressing issue of burnout in today's fast-paced society. In addition to his books, Dr. Fishkin has written over 60 articles on human behavior for newspapers and magazines.
An expert in clinical and forensic hypnosis, Dr. Fishkin has worked with witnesses of violent crimes in scene reconstructions and suspect identification. He has appeared on more than 200 nationally syndicated radio and television shows, including Michael Jackson and Ray Briem on KABC Talk Radio, as well as on Geraldo and CBS television. He has also served as the Behavioral Science Editor for the American Fire Journal. Currently, Dr. Fishkin maintains his private practice in Long Beach, California.
