Background. Dr. Sells holds doctorate degrees in both Social Work and Family Therapy from Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Social Work. He has previously served as a Full Professor at Savannah State University, teaching masters students in advanced clinical practice. Dr. Sells also serves as a consultant for the Department of Juvenile Justice, and as the CEO of Parenting with Love and Limits®. Dr. Sells is receiving widespread media coverage for his work with an inner-city neighborhood, establishing a community center clinic that will treat at-risk children using the principles from his books.

Professional Memberships & Certifications
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy - Approved Supervisor
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Lic # 01790-C)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Lic # 01456)

Publications. Dr. Sells’ first book, entitled Treating the Tough Adolescent: A Family-Based, Step-by-Step Guide, (Guilford, 1998), was based upon a four year outcome study of 82 difficult teenagers and their families. This book was featured as the alternate main selection in the Behavioral Science Book Club.

Dr. Sells’ wrote his second book, entitled Parenting Your Out-of-Control Teenager: 7 Steps to Reestablish Authority and Reclaim Love, (St. Martin’s, 2001), because current parenting books and counseling programs often did not address the special circumstances specific to the out-of-control teenager. This book is based upon a four year research study and contains the seven critical steps parents need to restore both love and limits with their teenagers.

In addition to these two books, Dr. Sells has had over a dozen major publications in preferred journals, plus a book chapter in the Handbook of Family Therapy Research Methods (Guilford, 1996).

Conference Presentations. Dr. Sells has extensive experience as a keynote speaker for national professional organizations like the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, the National Association of Social Workers and the Southeastern Psychological Association. He has also presented at national conferences for the Council on Social Work Education and at state conferences for the Nevada Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the Clinical Social Workers’ Association and the School Social Workers’ Association of Georgia. Dr. Sells was invited to be one of six expert presenters at the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy’s prestigious Summer Institutes in Park City, Utah, and the Cape Cod Institute in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, honors given only to those in the field who are demonstrating cutting edge work in the field.