Origins

Our group practice began with three people, all equal partners. Chris, Karen, and I worked for an agency that placed social workers in high schools in Westchester County NY.

One element of our job was to refer out to practitioners.

We realized that the next step as professionals was to make ourselves available outside the school setting, a rare move for social workers at that time.

We formed this partnership and worked together for five years.

We met together as a group for 15-20 hours per week, often more.

We were new and during the first year or so had much more time than clients.

We had vastly different styles and bodies of knowledge when we began.

What we shared, and craved, was the opportunity to learn. When a subject came up for discussion, we weighed in.

Because of the configuration of three, as we wrestled with an issue or dilemma, it most often was split two against one.

The subject matter included both personal and professional issues. We talked, discussed, argued, for hours at times.

If there was no resolution that day, we all knew to expect the subject to arise at the next opportunity.

This process could take hours or days or weeks.

The agreed upon goal was to keep the subject alive until we got it right.

Though the common starting point was 2-1, that was not an indicator that the 1 in this triangle was incorrect.

Regularly it was the lone person that saw the dilemma differently, but more accurately.

After this five year period, Chris moved out west with his wife and children.

Karen and I became a couple, marrying, continuing to work together, becoming parents a few years later.

We continued our partnership as a couple and co-workers until her passing six years ago.

What clients get is the sum of this thirty year collaboration. What was learned and honed is now offered.

Right still wins, regardless of how long it takes.