Welcome to my new website! I hope that you find this site useful in obtaining information about my practice. I have been practicing as a psychotherapist for over ten years in Florida and Maryland. When I moved to Baltimore in January of 2000, I began working as a school psychologist for the Baltimore City Public School System. My primary function in the public schools is to serve on the Individualized Education Plan Team and to provide psychological and assessment services to special needs children.
While working for the public schools, I began a private practice under the supervision of Dr. Patti Friedman in Pikesville, Md. My area of specialty is chiId and adolescent psychology but I will always maintain my passion for educating young couples prior to marriage. I also teach college level classes in Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Social Psychology and Human Growth and Development.
My Doctorate is from the Miami Institute of Psychology which I received in February of 2000. Premarital education was always an area of interest of mine and I wrote my dissertation on this topic. Many of the couples that I counsel are engaged and are having issues related to relationship stress. My goal is to educate couples on how to prevent stress from interfering with their relationships.
Premarital education is not a new concept. However, it is not one, which is widely practiced. Some states are trying to adopt legislation that would require premarital education as a requirement prior to receiving a marriage license. Premarital education, in my opinion, should be 'tailor made' for cultures and individuals as each couple will have different needs. One aspect of premarital education that is universal will always be the need for improved communication skills. Based on my research, many couples felt that the management of finances should be addressed as financial issues tend to create additional stress and tension in relationships. To this end, I have devoted a section of my program to educating couples about financial management.
Other interests of mine include educating parents on how to prevent their children from becoming victimized by child predators. We are seeing an increase in the numbers of children who are preyed upon and the effects of child abuse are devastating and far reaching. Research has linked drug use, promiscuity and suicidal tendencies to children who have been abused.
My hobbies and interests include sports, music (especially playing the sax), martial arts, reading and nature. I also truly enjoy giving over any knowledge that I have through worshops, seminars and any other means of education.
Jonathan M. Lasson Psy.D.
Child, Adolescent and Family Psychotherapy and Psychoeducational Evaluations
About Dr. Jonathan Lasson
