John Frykman
Encyclopedia
John Harvey Frykman Ph.D., (born 19 April 1932, Boston Massachusetts) is a Lutheran Minister and American psychotherapist specializing in Brief Therapy, medical hypnosis and family therapy. He was the Founding Director of the Drug Treatment Program of the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic in San Francisco, California
and is noted for his problem solving, individualized approach to substance abuse therapy and solution focused brief therapy
.
, where they built a house down the road from his grandparents' farm, of which Frykman carries many vivid memories. Frykman originally intended to be a carpenter, as he worked beside his father who did fine mill work and house building, but after achieving success on the football field in high school, changed his plans and majored in Physical Education at the University of Massachusetts. This chapter of his education was cut short by active service in Korea. It was during his time in Korea that Frykman kindled the determination to become a minister, which set him on the path to a lifetime of work for people unheard, unanswered and in need.
, a B.A. in Sociology from Bethany College
, Kansas, and a Master of Divinity from Philadelphia Lutheran Theological Seminary. He spent two years in the U.S. Army, with overseas duty in Korea. Pastoral work in New York, Pennsylvania, and California provided years of experience with inner-city situations and a close-at-hand understanding of chemical dependency problems. Along the way he developed skills in community organization, inter-group relations, clinical counseling and group work. Jay Haley
and Milton H. Erickson
, M.D. were colleagues and very important influences in his life. He is a California-licensed Marriage Family and Child Counselor, and in 1982 he earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Ryokan College, Los Angeles.
" for the Carmel
Unified School District, where he worked directly with young people and their families and developed a community-base approach to substance abuse problems. In addition, he taught at the National Drug Abuse Training Center and the University of California Extension where a wide range of courses dealt with the nature of drugs, lifestyles of substance abusers, and approaches to treatment, education and prevention. He also taught pastoral care and family therapy at Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute, Madras, India in 1988.
, San Francisco, CA; and in 2009, VIM Pastor, Bukit Doa International Church, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia.
In On January 1, 1996, First United Lutheran Church of San Francisco, along with St. Francis Lutheran Church, was expelled from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), because they violated a provision of the ELCA constitution. In January, 1990, under Frykman's leadership, the two congregations called and ordained a gay man and a lesbian couple, graduates of Lutheran seminaries, who were not approved for ordination by the ELCA solely because they refused to pledge lifelong celibacy. In the face of this judgment against them, these congregations, along with their companion congregations, continued to stand by their decision. Frykman said during his trial for ordaining non-celibate homosexual ministers in 1990: "Ecclesiastical disobedience in the face of unjust practice in the church was in the best tradition of Martin Luther."
, England
, Sweden
, Germany
, Finland
, India
, Spain
, Greece
, The Philippines and France
. In January, 2005, LLGM (Lutheran Lesbian and Gay Ministries) presented Frykman with the "Voice of Distinction" award at a gala banquet celebrating its 15th anniversary. These awards are given to individuals and organizations in recognition of their outstanding commitment, dedication and sacrifice on behalf of sexual minority persons. Frykman has consulted or taught in 16 countries and 27 of the United States.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and is noted for his problem solving, individualized approach to substance abuse therapy and solution focused brief therapy
Solution focused brief therapy
Solution focused brief therapy , often referred to as simply 'solution focused therapy' or 'brief therapy', is a type of talking therapy that is based upon social constructionist philosophy. It focuses on what clients want to achieve through therapy rather than on the problem that made them seek help...
.
Personal History
Frykman's parents, both immigrants from Sweden, lived in the small town of Rehoboth, MassachusettsRehoboth, Massachusetts
Rehoboth is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 10,172 at the 2000 census.-History:It was incorporated in 1643 making it one of the earliest Massachusetts towns to be incorporated. The Rehoboth Carpenter Family is among the founding families...
, where they built a house down the road from his grandparents' farm, of which Frykman carries many vivid memories. Frykman originally intended to be a carpenter, as he worked beside his father who did fine mill work and house building, but after achieving success on the football field in high school, changed his plans and majored in Physical Education at the University of Massachusetts. This chapter of his education was cut short by active service in Korea. It was during his time in Korea that Frykman kindled the determination to become a minister, which set him on the path to a lifetime of work for people unheard, unanswered and in need.
Education and Military Service
During his initial higher education, he earned a Certificate in Architectural Construction from Wentworth Institute, BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, a B.A. in Sociology from Bethany College
Bethany College (Kansas)
Bethany College is a small liberal arts college located in Lindsborg, Kansas and is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America . The college's mission is to educate, develop and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead loves of faith, learning and service...
, Kansas, and a Master of Divinity from Philadelphia Lutheran Theological Seminary. He spent two years in the U.S. Army, with overseas duty in Korea. Pastoral work in New York, Pennsylvania, and California provided years of experience with inner-city situations and a close-at-hand understanding of chemical dependency problems. Along the way he developed skills in community organization, inter-group relations, clinical counseling and group work. Jay Haley
Jay Haley
Jay Douglas Haley was one of the founding figures of brief and family therapy in general and of the strategic model of psychotherapy, and he was one of the more accomplished teachers, clinical supervisors, and authors in these disciplines.-Life and works:Conceived in a log cabin on his family's...
and Milton H. Erickson
Milton H. Erickson
Milton Hyland Erickson, was an American psychiatrist specializing in medical hypnosis and family therapy...
, M.D. were colleagues and very important influences in his life. He is a California-licensed Marriage Family and Child Counselor, and in 1982 he earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Ryokan College, Los Angeles.
Haight Ashbury
In 1968 Frykman became the founding director of the Drug Treatment Program at the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic in San Francisco. In this capacity he received training in pharmacology and the medical treatment of drug crises through Dr. Frederick Meyers of the University of California Medical Center, San Francisco, and Dr. David Smith at the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic.Teaching
Frykman was then recruited to become the first "community counselorCommunity counselor
Community counselors provide counselling for traumatized communities in the aftermath of large-scale natural disasters. They are trained in basic psychological techniques but are not necessarily professional psychologists. While the concept of lay community counselors is not new, the most commonly...
" for the Carmel
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Carmel-by-the-Sea, often called simply Carmel, is a small city in Monterey County, California, United States, founded in 1902 and incorporated in 1916. Situated on the Monterey Peninsula, the town is known for its natural scenery and rich artistic history...
Unified School District, where he worked directly with young people and their families and developed a community-base approach to substance abuse problems. In addition, he taught at the National Drug Abuse Training Center and the University of California Extension where a wide range of courses dealt with the nature of drugs, lifestyles of substance abusers, and approaches to treatment, education and prevention. He also taught pastoral care and family therapy at Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute, Madras, India in 1988.
Cypress Institute
Since 1971, Frykman has been President of Cypress Institute (Monterey and San Francisco, CA), a non-profit corporation for research and direct services in the fields of human communication, organizational development, education, and counseling—with emphasis on a systems understanding and strategic, rapid problem-solving.Lutheran Minister
After completing seminary (ranking fifth in his graduation class) Frykman served as Associate Pastor, First English Lutheran Church - Sacramento,CA; Pastor, St. John's Lutheran Church, Oakland, CA; Pastor, First United Lutheran ChurchFirst United Lutheran Church
First United Lutheran Church is an independent Lutheran congregation located in San Francisco, California. Formed in 1886, it was the first Lutheran congregation in California to use English as its primary language for worship...
, San Francisco, CA; and in 2009, VIM Pastor, Bukit Doa International Church, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia.
In On January 1, 1996, First United Lutheran Church of San Francisco, along with St. Francis Lutheran Church, was expelled from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), because they violated a provision of the ELCA constitution. In January, 1990, under Frykman's leadership, the two congregations called and ordained a gay man and a lesbian couple, graduates of Lutheran seminaries, who were not approved for ordination by the ELCA solely because they refused to pledge lifelong celibacy. In the face of this judgment against them, these congregations, along with their companion congregations, continued to stand by their decision. Frykman said during his trial for ordaining non-celibate homosexual ministers in 1990: "Ecclesiastical disobedience in the face of unjust practice in the church was in the best tradition of Martin Luther."
International Impact
Frykman has worked extensively overseas, teaching and consulting in NorwayNorway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, The Philippines and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. In January, 2005, LLGM (Lutheran Lesbian and Gay Ministries) presented Frykman with the "Voice of Distinction" award at a gala banquet celebrating its 15th anniversary. These awards are given to individuals and organizations in recognition of their outstanding commitment, dedication and sacrifice on behalf of sexual minority persons. Frykman has consulted or taught in 16 countries and 27 of the United States.
By Frykman
- The Hassle Handbook: A Guide to Teenage Survival (Aug 1988)
- The NEW Hassle Handbook: A Guide Through the Teen Age Years by John Frykman Ph.D(Nov 19, 2007)
Coauthored
- A New Connection: A Problem Solving Approach to Chemical Dependency (written with Richard B. Seymour, David E. Smith, and Frederick H. Meyers) (Mar 1991
- Making the Impossible Difficult: Tools for Getting Unstuck (written with Thorana Nelson) (Oct 13, 2003)
External links
- History of Ordinations, Trial and Expulsion
- Lutherans Punish 2 Churches for Gay Ordinations
- LLGM 15th Anniversary
- GoodReads Author Profile
- http://books.google.com/books?id=aNLZgwv-g48C&pg=PA120&lpg=PA120&dq=haight+frykman&source=web&ots=z_6dW2clj1&sig=mxavhE2Io2YkiLm4m9wTQtdlvvc#v=onepage&q=haight%20frykman&f=false