About John Northman, PhD, ABPP

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      Following his early years in Connecticut, Dr. Northman became eagerly involved in psychology as an undergraduate student at the University of Rochester, where he earned a BA Cum Laude.  A prestigious fellowship then brought him to Purdue University, where he earned a PhD in developmental psychology. 

      After a 3-year appointment at the State University of New York College at Cortland, Dr. Northman then was offered a career-shaping opportunity as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School, where he expanded his professional skills into areas such as community mental health, human services, program planning and evaluation, and organizational consultation. 

      Dr. Northman then accepted a faculty position at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York.  Subsequently he developed a full-time clinical private practice, with a focus on family and relationship issues.  He then developed a sub-specialty in child-custody evaluation and assisting children and parents affected by divorce.  Dr. Northman was then invited by the American Psychological Association to participate on the panel that created the Child Custody Evaluation Guidelines.           

     During his distinguished career Dr. Northman has earned board-certification in Couple and Family Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).  He has also received the Distinguished Practitioner Award from the National Academy of Practice.

      A leader in national, state and local psychological associations, Dr. Northman has served in many governance roles, including President of the New York State Psychological Association, President of the Psychological Association of Western New York, and President of the American Academy of Family Psychology.  He has served on the governing bodies of the American Board of Professional Psychology and the New York State Psychological Association.  His professional contributions have been recognized by his many awards and honors from the American Psychological Association (Fellow, Presidential Citation, Karl F. Heiser Advocacy Award); the American Board of Professional Psychology Distinguished Service Award; the New York State Psychological Association (Allen V. Williams Memorial Award (the association’s highest honor), Distinguished Service Award, Exceptional Service Award); and the Psychological Association of Western New York (President’s Award, Distinguished Achievement Award). 

      On a personal note Dr. Northman enjoys music (he plays piano), sports (tennis and skiing) and traveling.  He and his wife are the parents of two children and six grandchildren (including triplets!).