James S. Dinkmeyer, M.A., LMHC was born in Oak Park, Illinois. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 1977 and his Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology in 1980. He has worked extensively in the area of child development and parenting. He has co-authored several programs and books including Early Childhood Step, The Next Step, PREP for Effective Living, The Effective Parent, Parenting Young Children and Teaching and Leading Children as well as lectured throughout the United States. He currently maintains a private practice in counseling psychology in Parkland, Florida where he resides with his wife, Lyn.