Debra Manchester Honored by Marriage & Family Therapists
Local Chapter of State Association Recognizes Executive Director of Family Therapy Institute December 15
The Santa Barbara Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists awarded Debra Manchester with their annual Award for Service to the Community on December 15, 2010 at their annual holiday luncheon.
Debra Manchester, a licensed clinical social worker, is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Family Therapy Institute, a non-profit counseling agency now in its 30th year. The award was given “for the inspiration, leadership, and training provided for thousands of clinicians, and the devotion exemplified in consistent visionary work for the community.”
At the same luncheon, the City of Santa Barbara surprised Debra Manchester with a proclamation from Mayor Helene Schneider. City Councilman Grant House gave the award with gratitude for the many constituents, past and future, who benefit from the counseling services to families, couples, children and teens offered at Family Therapy Institute.
Manchester and her husband Don MacMannis, a child psychologist, were also recognized for the books and articles they have partnered on over the years, as well as their continued contribution to groundbreaking literature in the field of psychology. More information about the Institute can be found online .