Marc Hafkin

Marc Hafkin Ph. D

Professional Background

Dr. Hafkin has trained extensively in multiple modalities, traveling to spend extended time with some of psychology’s most notable leaders including Alexander Lowen, Sheldon Kopp, and William Masters and Virginia Johnson. In addition to being a PhD counseling psychologist, Dr. Hafkin pursued a post-doctoral fellowship in clinical psychology at the Crownsville State Hospital Center. 

Innovation in Treatment

Dr. Hafkin has pioneered several areas:

  • Internet-related psychological trauma treatment
  • Stepfamily dynamics research and intervention
  • Blended family counseling (co-founder of Stepfamily Association of America)
Marc Hafkin

Marc Hafkin Ph. D

Professional Background

Dr. Hafkin has trained extensively  in multiple modalities, traveling to spend extended time with some of psychology’s most notable leaders including Alexander Lowen, Sheldon Kopp, and William Masters and Virginia Johnson. In addition to being a PhD counseling psychologist, Dr. Hafkin pursued a post-doctoral fellowship in clinical psychology at the Crownsville State Hospital Center. 

Innovation in Treatment

Dr. Hafkin has pioneered several areas:

  • Internet-related psychological trauma treatment
  • Stepfamily dynamics research and intervention
  • Blended family counseling (co-founder of Stepfamily Association of America)

Education and Certifications Include:

  • MA in Counseling Psychology from Washington University
  • Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Washington University in St. Louis (1975)
  • PhD in Counseling Psychology from American University (1981)
  • Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology at Crownsville State Hospital Center (1981-1984)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Maryland since 1977
  • Fellow of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
  • Fellow of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Diplomate of the American Psychotherapy Association
  • Marriage and Family Counselor
  • Psychodrama clinician since 2012
  • Jungian Psychology (ten years at the Jungian Institute of New York)-Imago Therapy
    -Gestalt Therapy
    -Stepfamily training
    -Bio-energetic therapy with Alexander Lowen

Beyond the Clinic: Dr. Hafkin’s Comprehensive Approach to Support and Coaching

During the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Hafkin became certified as a Master Professional Life Coach (2021), so that he could continue to assist individuals at a distance. As a coach, Dr. Hafkin combines his clinical expertise with coaching techniques to provide comprehensive support to his clients.

Dr. Hafkin has served as an expert witness in forensic psychology, and has taught group therapy courses at Catholic University in Washington, DC. He speaks several languages, including English, Spanish, Hebrew, and German.

Dr. Hafkin

Cultivating Understanding: Dr. Hafkin’s Journey Through 100+ Countries

Dr. Hafkin’s passion for travel and cultural exploration has taken him to over 100 countries. He has an intense interest in the role of different traditions and cultural influences on personality, and his unique perspective with clients offers a blend of  personal experience with extensive professional training.

His adventures have included:

  • Living with recently discovered tribes in the Amazon jungle, including the Worani (Auca)
  • Exploring the jungles and highlands of Papua New Guinea
  • Trekking through the Gobi Desert in Mongolia
  • Extensive travel throughout Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
  • Being honored as an honorary shaman in the Amazon
  • Receiving a prayer wheel from a Buddhist monk at the Potala Palace
Dr. Hafkin

Cultivating Understanding: Dr. Hafkin’s Journey Through 100+ Countries

Dr. Hafkin’s passion for travel and cultural exploration has taken him to over 100 countries. He has an intense interest in the role of different traditions and cultural influences on personality, and his unique perspective with clients offers a blend of  personal experience with extensive professional training.

His adventures have included:

  • Living with recently discovered tribes in the Amazon jungle, including the Worani (Auca)
  • Exploring the jungles and highlands of Papua New Guinea
  • Trekking through the Gobi Desert in Mongolia
  • Extensive travel throughout Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
  • Being honored as an honorary shaman in the Amazon
  • Receiving a prayer wheel from a Buddhist monk at the Potala Palace

Military Service and Special Operations

A proud military veteran, Dr. Hafkin served from 1966 to 1973, including:

  • Graduation from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA
  • Service in Southeast Asia
  • Assignment to a Special Operations Unit in Bad Tolz, Germany (1970-1972)
  • Oversight of the psychiatric unit at the 97th General Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany (1969-1973)

This military background provides Dr. Hafkin with unique insights into the challenges faced by service members and veterans.

Dr. Marc Hafkin

Adventure Sports and Hobbies

Dr. Hafkin is an avid global adventurer with training and certifications in various sports:

Scuba Diving

  • Dive Master with over 2,000 dives
  • Certifications in solo diving, open water, advanced open water, cave diving, nitrox, navigation, deep recreational diving, and ice diving
  • Experience diving challenging wrecks like the Empress of Ireland and the Oriskany
  • Trained to rescue others in caves and various diving endeavors and environments

Mountain Climbing

  • Summited numerous peaks including Kilimanjaro (Breach Wall route), Mount Ararat, Mount Elbrus, Zugspitze, and the Matterhorn

Other Activities

  • Long-time martial arts practitioner with two black belts
  • Avid kayaker and cyclist
  • Trekked the Sahara with the goal of reaching Timbuktu
  • Photographer
Dr. Marc Hafkin

Adventure Sports and Hobbies

Dr. Hafkin is an avid global adventurer with training and certifications in various sports:

Scuba Diving

  • Dive Master with over 2,000 dives
  • Certifications in solo diving, open water, advanced open water, cave diving, nitrox, navigation, deep recreational diving, and ice diving
  • Experience diving challenging wrecks like the Empress of Ireland and the Oriskany
  • Trained to rescue others in caves and various diving endeavors and environments

Mountain Climbing

  • Summited numerous peaks including Kilimanjaro (Breach Wall route), Mount Ararat, Mount Elbrus, Zugspitze, and the Matterhorn

Other Activities

  • Avid kayaker and cyclist
  • Trekked the Sahara with the goal of reaching Timbuktu
  • Photographer

Contact Dr. Marc Hafkin

Request a Consultation
Dr. Marc Hafkin

Marc Hafkin Ph.D
4300 Montgomery Ave
Suite 201
Bethesda, Maryland 20814

301.656.7445
marchafkinphd@gmail.com