John Stewart, Ph.D. – Director – Psychologist
Dr. Stewart is a Licensed Psychologist with 40 years of clinical experience specializing in work with children, adolescents, families and couples. His clinical work is informed by interpersonal neurobiology, psychodynamic theory, Emotionally Focused Family Therapy, Attachment Focused Family Therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS). He is the former director of Attachment Focused Clinical Services in Portland, Maine, cofounder and Clinical Director of the Maine Special Education / Mental Health Collaborative a child and adolescent day treatment program in New Gloucester, Maine and is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Tufts School of Medicine, Boston, MA where he teaches attachment theory and family therapy to Psychiatry Residents and Child Fellows.
Dr. Stewart is recognized for his creative, energetic and hopeful approach to individual, couples and family therapy. His broad interests and extensive clinical background afford him opportunity to relate to a wide variety of interpersonal styles and world views. He is a respected clinician, clinical teacher and lecturer with a focus on relational connection and its centrality to emotional well-being.
Books written by Dr. Stewart:
What Helps When Families Struggle – An attachment informed guide for families and clinicians – to be released Summer 2024. Coauthored with his long-time teaching colleague Child Psychiatrist Erin Belfort, MD. Austin Macauley Publishers, London
Attachment-Based Milieus for Healing Child and Adolescent Developmental Trauma – A Relational Approach for Use in Settings from Inpatient Psychiatry to Special Education Classrooms (2017) Jessica Kingsley Publishing, Philadelphia & London
Beyond Time Out – Responding to the Needs of Emotionally Disturbed Children in School Setting (2002), HCA Publishing
Outside of his professional life Dr. Stewart has maintained a (generally) very happy 48-year marriage, has shared in raising two children and is joyfully involved in being the grandfather of four wonderful grandkids. He is also an avid sailor, traveler, hiker, skier, motorcyclist and carpenter.
Dr. Stewart presents internationally on attachment informed approaches to treatment, consulting to settings as diverse as public schools to Johns Hopkins Inpatient Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Services.
Vitae and References available on request.
Janet Stewart, RNC, Psychiatric Nurse
Janet Stewart is a Psychiatric Nurse with over 40 years of experience working with a wide range of adult, adolescent and child populations. She and Dr. Stewart have often worked together bringing distinct perspectives and a gender balance. Janet has been trained by the Theraplay Institute of Evanston, Illinois and provides Theraplay informed treatment to parents, children and adolescents. She is a seasoned mental health provider who is recognized for her warmth, compassion and insight.
In addition to her professional life she has shared in raising two children and (generally) gracefully manages the interesting, yet periodically challenging reality of a 48 year partnership with her husband. Outside of her professional interest she is a sailor, skier, wonderful cook, hiker, exercise enthusiast, yoga student, gardener and a loving grandmother to four little ones.
Professional vitae and references available upon request.