Douglas LaBier


Douglas LaBier is a business psychologist, psychotherapist, and writer. He is the Founder and Director of the Center for Progressive Development, in Washington, D.C. and conducts programs for senior executives and leadership teams, based on his findings and empirical data, to create positive management cultures. He also practices psychotherapy for men, women and couples. He is known for research demonstrating that success in business and careers can create emotional and values conflicts for men and women.

Education

LaBier was raised in upstate New York. His father, Horace J. LaBier, founded Local 227 of the in 1937 at a German-owned chemical factory seized by the U.S. government during World War I, and served as its president for 10 terms. "LaBier’s father was frequently accused of being a Communist by the company, and won a well-publicized case before the National Labor Relations Board when the company forbid him to distribute pamphlets to workers containing readings of Spinoza, Aristotle, and Freud."
LaBier received his Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo and did post-doctoral training at the National Institute of Mental Health, where he served on staff until 1973. He then trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the Washington School of Psychiatry, where he later served on the faculty. He currently is a supervisory faculty member of George Washington University’s professional psychology doctoral program.

Writing

That became the thesis for the book Modern Madness: The Hidden Link Between Work and Emotional Conflict, which is based on a study of 220 men and women and explains why careers within large organizations affect the potential for emotional and values conflict among people who are not otherwise emotionally disturbed. It was cited by Daniel Goleman in The New York Times as "In the vanguard...offering sobering insights into the costs of modern success." LaBier argued that personal and career-related conflicts are often caused, paradoxically, by successful adaptation to the roles, pressures, and culture within organizations and careers.
LaBier has also authored numerous articles on related issues for The Washington Post, The New York Times, Fortune, and other publications.
His writings have been published on The Huffington Post Psychology Today, the Center's blog, Progressive Impact and other publications.
He has also written on the link between work and mental health; midlife developmental conflicts; building psychologically healthy management and leadership; and positive human development for various publications including New York Times since the 1980s.

Research and programs

His current focus includes identifying survey and research trends indicating a growing desire among men and women to integrate career success, personal life goals, and service to the common good. His programs with corporate executives focus on creating sustainable, socially responsible business practices within a psychologically health workplace.
He also conducts programs for senior executives and leadership teams based on his findings and empirical data to create positive management cultures. He also practices psychotherapy for men, women and couples.
LaBier has been a faculty member at the Washington School of Psychiatry since 1980 and has conducted workshops and management consultations to Federal Agencies, including the Department of State, Department of Commerce, and others; as well as for Fortune 500 corporations, trade associations and nonprofit organizations.