It is our hope that this 40-page document can serve both as a window into Doug’s work life and as a resource for the child mental health community.
August 16, 1942 – June 4, 2015
August 16, 1942 – June 4, 2015
It is our hope that this 40-page document can serve both as a window into Doug’s work life and as a resource for the child mental health community.
I look out the window as I write this. I see a young deer nibbling on green spring leaves through rain in my backyard. It is a gift. Doug made the world better. I became more of everything…a better therapist, parent and person through his supervision over the past 25 years. He helped me through so much. He will help me through more. The light in me bows to the light in him.
I constantly think of Professor Davies — in my day to day work as a child therapist, as a parent of young children, and as a fellow writer and daydreamer. His videos and heartfelt, playful lectures were instrumental in my understanding of play therapy and the inner minds of young children. All the MSW students and local social workers told me to take his course on child therapy. His gentle touch, his brilliance, and his sincerity enriched so many clinicians and families. My sympathies from Chicago. Jen Underwood, MSW ’07
Professor Davies was one of my favorite professors. The clinical skills he taught in his class were extremely valuable. I still have the notes I took in is class, and “Child Development” is currently sitting on my bookshelf.
More importantly, the underlying empathy for the families he worked with was overwhelmingly apparent in his case study presentations. The most important aspect of an effective therapeutic intervention is the quality of the relationship, and Professor Davies certainly embraced this in his teachings and work.
Dr. Davies, you are a great example of a life well lived.
-Lesley Therrian, MSW ’09
I’ve had the privilege of sitting under Professor Davies teachings. Never have I met a professor of his caliber to be so….humble and genuine about his work. I loved and respected that about him. But then to see him out in the field, at professional conferences, trainings, and see that he is still just as humble (or more) is very inspiring. I regret not mentioning this to him.
-Zsalanda Richardson, MSW ’05
I read about Professor Davies passing on Facebook and felt a great loss. I don’t remember exactly what I learned in his class as it has become so ingrained in my day to day private practice. I do remember the way he made his students feel and his patience and compassion as he taught the “newbies.” I still have my notes from his class and I know I am a better child therapist because of him. Prayers and thoughts to his family.
I did some training in Infant Mental Health and knew Doug when I used to go to Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health conferences in Ann Arbor. I was very impressed with his research, clinical work, and the quality of his presentations. I was delighted when I found out he lived in Kalamazoo. Our paths crossed once or twice. Although I didn’t know him well, I am saddened by his loss. He contributed much to improving life for babies and their families.
I had the very good fortune of being able to learn from Doug over the last several years as part of the Infant Mental Health community (before that, Doug was an “academic celebrity” to me as I had relied on his Child Development text many many times). One very striking characteristic I wanted to share was how careful, thoughtful, and intentional Doug was when he decided to share his thoughts and feelings. His manner, his humility, and his relative infrequency of voicing an opinion in the contexts where I had been with him made every word count so much. Precious wisdom. My deepest condolences to his family and dear friends and colleagues; he will never be forgotten. Alissa
Dr. Davies was my absolute favorite professor at U of M. He inspired me to work with children and families. He was a kind, gentle soul, so full of wisdom, humility, and grace. His child development book sits in a prominent location in my private practice office. Dr. Davies’ mentorship and guidance will live on. May he rest in peace.
I have spent the past few days trying to find the right words…as a student of Doug’s many years ago, I felt blessed to have been taught by him and scrambled to take all of his classes! Over the years, having him as a supervisor, consultant, mentor, and of course teacher, meant that he would always be with me. I would think of his presentations, lectures, and clinical cases often. Even after not seeing him for a bit, he welcomed me with smiles and joy, always making me feel like he had just been thinking about me! He had a way of finding and supporting strengths even before you knew you had them! I will treasure the time I have spent with him. Thank you for sharing him with us. We are all better for having known him.
Doug has long been someone I have counted on to share his knowledge about children and intervention with generosity. He was always willing and able to make time to teach about the topics he loved. These last few years I have had the privilege of coming to know Doug more deeply as a MI-AIMH Executive Committee member and have him know me through our joint exploration of trying to train others on the art and practice of reflective supervision. This was a topic that meant a great deal to him, and as we worked together, this generous man made me truly feel like a collaborative partner, even though he clearly had years of experience far beyond mine. The mutually creative process was thrilling and rewarding to both of us. I hope I can guide and teach with anything close to his humility and wisdom. I loved hearing his proud grandpa stories, too! He is gone too soon, but I will carry him inside me always.
As far back as I can remember being a part of MI-AIMH, which I joined in the early 1980’s, Doug has been one of the quieter persons in our midst, but when he spoke up we have known to listen carefully. Beginning with his guidance to a group of students in the first year of the Merrill-Palmer Infant Mental Health practicum, I have benefited from his reflective, warm and generous nature. Doug has influenced me in so many ways while supporting others who now do the more direct work with challenged infants, young children and their families. His deep respect for each human being he encountered is evident in so many memories being shared of how he has touched those of us in this field– as we have reeled with the news of his death these past few days all around Michigan, every single person with whom I have spoken has talked about how he made us each feel cared about. While having a lovely earnestness about him, Doug also brought a gentle humor into his interactions that reminded us not to take ourselves too seriously. Personally, when in a very difficult stretch in my own life, I remember how Doug sought me out at one of our conferences to see how I was doing. His kindness was balm for my broken heart. And that was the nature of his way of being with others. Very recently I was privileged to participate with Doug in a workshop about providing reflective supervision. He was practical and specific in his significant contributions to those two hours but also philosophical, enriching our topic with uncommon depth. Doug has in so many ways brought a sense of balance to us, offered yin with yang, kept our focus clear but also deep in the work we do that is all about supporting relationships, bringing people together while valuing our varied perspectives and talents. We will carry on with heavy hearts but ultimately call forth the marvelous gifts that Doug has left to guide us. Dear Tobi and family, my condolences for your loss.
With gratitude for the passion and generosity he brought to our work and lives,
Bonnie Daligga
I had the distinct pleasure of being able participate in reflective supervision with Doug. He was a most kind, gentle and compassionate person. He helped me understand young children, parents and teachers in a whole new way. Always offering kind support and encouragement to keep doing the hard work and being a gentle person to others. He was an inspiration to me and I will never ever forget the experience of working with him.
He will be missed!
I was lucky to have Doug as a IMH reflective supervisor from the beginning of my career in IMH. Over the past 7 years he has helped me to think through cases and to see from the client or parent’s perspective so that I would be best able to work with them and help. We were going to have our monthly phone supervision this week and as usual I was looking forward to it. I feel very blessed to have known Doug and to experience some of his knowledge and love of working with young children. He will be greatly missed.
My first MI-AIMH conference was in May of 1987 and fortunately I chose to attend Doug’s workshop. I was hooked by his magnificent integration of theory, techniques and work examples of his interventions with parents and toddlers. , This was presented with his palpable empathy and respect for the struggles of the toddler and parent ensuring that ever year after that I attended at least one of his workshops. When back at work, I carried his voice nudging me to reflect deeply on this parent and this child’s experiences and desires. When I became a reflective supervisor for others serving families with young children, I was fortified by the many important lessons learned and absorbed from Doug.
For the last decade or so I have been fortunate to work with Doug on the Mi-AIMH executive committee where his thoughtful analysis of challenges facing the organization, positive focus on what could be done and willingness to work were ever present. But even more special for me was the chance to be with Doug to share time with him, be a colleague and get to laugh with him and experience his genuine goodness.
I will miss Doug, but treasure all he has given me.
I was really fortunate to be able to work with Doug on an evaluation of a training series he was co-leading with Sheryl Goldberg. The feedback from participants about the training series consistently highlighted Doug’s warm, compassionate, and responsive leadership style. I had monthly phone calls with Doug during this period and then spent time collaborating with Sheryl and Doug on presentations about this training series and learned so much about teaching, reflection, and collaborative work from Doug. Doug was so generous with his time and energies in planning this year’s MI-AIMH Conference and I felt so lucky to get to work with him in all of these different contexts. He offered what I can only describe as “kindness” in all of these experiences and I will always treasure my time with him.