The founder and clinical director of Park Ridge Psychological Services, Dr. Dathan Paterno holds a doctor of psychology in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. He completed a doctoral internship at The Arlington Center for Attention Deficit Disorders, where he evaluated and treated children, adolescents, and adults. In his private practice, Dr. Dathan Paterno considers the genetic, social, and spiritual aspects of each patient in order to create treatment plans that utilize non-medical alternatives to psychiatric medication.
An accomplished author, Dr. Paterno developed a journaling therapy that ultimately became The Take-Home Therapist. He also authored two books—Desperately Seeking Parents and Ladies and Gentlemen—and has given numerous presentations on topics ranging from Internet safety for children to effective psychoeducational evaluations. A member of the Learning Disability Association, Dr. Paterno previously served on the board of directors for the International Society for Ethical Psychiatry and Psychology. He enjoys writing screenplays in his free time.