Dynamic Interaction Skills Team
Our team includes our founder, Zak Schwartz, PhD, Gina Rossini, LCSW, Ryan Nowak, Larry Weinerman, BS, CADC II, and Thomas Hurd, CADC I, QMHA. We continue to believe that we all have the same basic needs - to be loved, to be accepted, to be treated with respect - and that those of us who try to get those needs met by using anger, intimidation, and violence don’t know a better way.
Zak Schwartz, PhD
Zak Schwartz, Ph.D. works as a Psychologist in private practice in Lane County, specializing in intervention skills, relationship skills, chemical dependency, non-violent intervention, and facilitates Dynamics Interaction Skills workshops.
Zak has served as Clinical Supervisor to Lane County substance abuse treatment programs and has worked clinically in this specialty since 1974.
Zak helped design and implement several level I and II CD treatment programs both in Lane County government and in the Oregon state Correctional System.
His Dynamic Interaction Skills programs have been used nationwide and adapted to effectively train staff for business, industry, and special events, and security teams.
Zak authored 3 books including CHANGING ANGER, AN ARCHANGEL TRAINING MANUAL, and his latest release EFFECTIVE HUMANISTIC INTERVENTION. Since 1973, Zak has lived and worked in Eugene, OR.
Ryan Nowak, CADC I
Ryan Nowak, CADC 11 is continuing his education in psychology.
Ryan developed the existing Parenting Program for Parents with Substance Abuse. This program was added to the Oregon DHS tool box. Additionally the Lane County Court system is using this program as an intervention tool.
Ryan
works as a counselor at Chrysalis Behavioral Health Services, a non-profit drug and alcohol intervention provider.
Ryan provides onsite intervention and conflict management during festivals, fairs, and other activities. He also works to train non-medical staff to treat the public with Dynamic Interaction Skills intervention techniques.
Ryan helps clients find the strength within themselves to make positive changes and reach their goals.
Thomas Hurd, CADC I, QMHA
Thomas Hurd has worked as a Certified Alcohol and Drug counselor for over ten years.
He is a graduate of Lane Community College Human Services Program. He specializes in treating individual with substance abuse problems, anger management issues, and enabling concerns.
Thomas has been delivering workshops for 4 years and students tell us that he is a pleasure to work with.
Gina Rossini, LCSW
Gina Rossini, LCSW, has been clinically licensed to practice since 2009. She currently has a private practice in the Chelsea area of Manhattan, and in down town New Haven, CT.
In addition to private practice, she was an Assistant Director for an Evidence-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy practice, Clinical Director of the largest addiction out patient treatment clinic in New York City and Director of a NYS Office of Mental Health and Hygiene residential program for people with severe and persistent mental illness.
She served on Addiction and Mental Health Advisory Boards for New York, helped develop and implement anger management and addiction treatment curriculum for both youth and adult programs, and has been featured in various media venues.
Gina Rossini is a Clinical Adjunct Instructor and Field Supervisor for NYU’s Graduate School for Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Social Work and Field Supervisor Fordham’s Graduate School of Clinical Social Work.
Gina provides clinical supervision to clinicians seeking clinical licensure. Gina recently accepted and deferred an offer from the University of Pennsylvania’s Advanced Clinical Doctoral program to continue her research.
Born and raised in Oregon, Gina loves the outdoors, is a marathon runner, a mother, and one of nine siblings. She is warm, supportive, bright and funny and is dedicated to the well being of her clients and those she cares about.
Larry Weinerman, BS, CADC II
Larry Weinerman was born in New York City. He graduated from Long Island University with a degree in Business Finance. After moving to Oregon he worked for the Hoedad Reforestation collective for seven years before settling down and having a family. In 1991 he started work at Chrysalis substance and alcohol treatment facility as an admission counselor.
In 1993, Larry began facilitating workshops with Dynamic Interaction Skills teaching these skills and concepts.
Since 1996, Larry has worked as the Chrysalis program coordinator. He brings a great attitude and creates a caring environment.
