My philosophy

Life’s paths don’t always come with road signs

Sometimes we start off in one direction and as we go along, discover it’s not what we thought or want. That’s when we ask: How do I get what I really want? Change involves uncertainty, moving from the familiar to the unknown—what can be a daunting experience.  But when you're dissatisfied with the way things are, it’s worth the risk.  When couples are unhappy with the way their relationship is going or are hurting because of an affair, or someone is afraid to speak because of shame, or past childhood injuries get in the way of success, change can make a difference not just in the quality of your life but in the way you feel about yourself and your interactions with others.  Meaningful change involves taking risks to do something significant and different.

My Experience and Credentials

My doctoral program in clinical psychology at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (now William James College) involved an integration of theory with practice and hands-on application where I worked with children, adolescent males, college and law students, psychiatric patients and the chronically mentally ill.  Recruited in 1985 by Langdon Clinic (now part of Providence Behavioral Health), I continued to see males and females ages 5 to 85 as individuals, couples, families, and groups as well as incarcerated and recently released sex offenders.  With an opportunity to teach and coach the next generation of therapists, I served on the faculty in the psychology master’s and doctoral programs at the Anchorage campus of LaVerne University, UAA/UAF, and Alaska Pacific University. 

My theoretical orientation is based on the theories of post-Freudian British Object Relations, including the ideas of Melanie Klein, Wilfred Bion, D.W. Winnicott, Donald Meltzer, as well as the cutting edge relationship work of Stan Tatkin and Hans Stahlsmidt.  Among other things, these theorist-practitioners considered the influence of early emotional experiences on interpersonal interactions and current functioning, arousal regulation, and developmental neuroscience . 

While theories may guide my thinking, my style tends to be straightforward, heartfelt, candid, and practical in my focus on helping you discover and realize the kind of life you want for yourself and your family. 

Post-doctoral Studies

Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy
PACT level 2 trained therapist

Certificate in British Object Relations Psychotherapy
Center for Object Relations, Seattle

Publications

Lazur, R.F. Men in the family: A family system’s approach to treating men. In Pollock, W.S. & Levant, R.F. (Eds.) New psychotherapy for men. New York: J. Wiley & Sons.

Lazur, R.F. Boundary management in group psychotherapy with sex offenders. In M. Andronico (Ed.) Men in groups: Realities and insights. Washington, D.C.: APA Press.

Lazur, R.F. & Majors, R. Ethnocultural variations of the male gender role. In Levant, R.F.& Pollock, W.S. (Eds.) The new psychology of men. New York: Basic Books.

Lazur, R.F. Identity Integration: Counseling the adolescent male. In Scher, M., et.al. (Eds.) Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy with men. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications, Inc.

Affiliations

Alaska Psychological Association, past president

American Psychological Association, Division 51, past-secretary

Who is the other Lazur?

In choosing a business name, I didn't want a soft gushy psychobabble name that broadcasts a person is seeing a psychologist. Because I work with a lot of men, I wanted a professional name they could relate to, that they are familiar with like their accountant’s and law firms and won't scare them away before they get through the front door. Since my wife manages the books and makes sure Uncle Sam gets paid, she suggested Lazur & Lazur. Should Lazur & Lazur show up on your caller ID, it’s not obvious a psychologist is calling. Although the name indicates us both, there is only Dr. Lazur—Richard—who provides psychological services while the other Lazur, my wife, remains behind the scenes and makes sure the business runs efficiently.