After becoming a chief psychologist for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, he decided to build a clinical practice focused on the mental health needs of families; especially children in adoptive and foster care settings. That dream became a reality in 1990 when he opened his first Rainbow Clinic not far from the Brooklyn neighborhood where he grew up. Since then, the organization has grown to include four clinics that specialize in culturally sensitive mental health services for families.

Dr. Jeff garnered a large following with his popular talk show program "Hit It" on WLIB Radio 1190 AM in New York City, making it the top rated show in WLIB's morning line-up. Then he moved on to become the "in house doctor" on the Sally Jessy Raphael Show and has lent his expertise to television audiences of the Ricki Lake Show, Court TV, the Maury Povich Show, and most recently Oprah, speaking about fathers having more of an emotionally nurturing role in their children's lives.

Dr. Jeff has authored several books, his controversial new book, Love Prescription, was released in December 2002. Dr. Jeff is the co-author of Practical Parenting with Montel Williams, the Emmy-award winning TV talk show host. His first book, Smart Parenting for African-Americans: Helping Your Kids Thrive in a Difficult World has been lauded as being "necessary for raising African-American children in today's society." (Black Issues Book Review).

Previously, Dr. Jeff was host of the Health Network's popular cable television program, Ask The Family Therapist, a two-hour, live call-in show. Many of his viewers still remember the day a distraught Vietnam veteran (a nurse) called in to say that she was packing a loaded rifle and heading for her local mall because of the voices in her head. As millions of people around the country listened, Dr. Jeff kept her on the phone, eventually negotiating her surrender to the police. Dr. Jeff has recently completed the pilot for a new reality-based relationship show titled Love Hurts, an agreement with Columbia Tri-Star Productions. Dr Jeff lives in New York City with his family.

Love Prescription: Ending the War Between Black Men and Women
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ISBN: 0758202512
Format: Hardcover, 304pp
Pub. Date: December 2002
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation

A war is raging that you won't see on CNN: its battleground is the heart, and its combatants are black men vs. black women. Dr. Jeff Gardere, aka Dr. Jeff, host of Hit It, the popular call-in radio show about black relationships, covers this war 24/7, both on the air and in his four psychotherapy clinics. He knows what problems today's brothers and sisters face, and he knows how to help.

Falling for a line is like hypnosis: You can only be put under if you are willing to go there.

First, Dr. Jeff candidly exposes what black men and women are really saying about each other. Here are the gripes that hurt the most, from the cheating man's "It Wasn't Me" defense...to the angry woman's "No black man is any good" attitude.

Then the doctor dares to give up all the ways and means of the black man's romantic antics. He tells all...from the male point of view. Here is what men do and why they do it. And he pulls no punches when he reveals what women must do to stop the nonsense and lies. But, most of all he gently advises how both men and women can stop the blame game and get on with getting together.

Part of the problem is PTSD...Post-Traumatic Slavery Disorder

Dr. Jeff gets to the root of the problem when he discusses PTSD, and how it's created long-standing complexes about hair, complexions, and being together. He tackles the controversial theory that black men are genetically programmed to cheat. He deals head-on with helping black women shoulder the responsibility for their bad choices--and make better ones. And finally he teaches how to break the cycle of fatherless families by helping our children learn to love.

Filled with real-life stories packed with drama, heartbreak, and steamy, roller-coaster passion, Love Prescription will hold you spellbound and energize you with hope, frank words, and sound advice for healing hearts...and embracing lasting, fulfilling love.  

Smart Parenting for African Americans: Helping Your Kids Thrive in a Difficult World
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ISBN: 0758201788
Format: Paperback, 2pp
Pub. Date: January 2002
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation

African American children face many imposing threats in today's world -- academic failure, drugs, gangs, irresponsible sex, and attraction to crime, among others. For the parents of these children, it takes knowledge, effort, and caring to effectively deal with such tough issues. In Smart Parenting for African Americans, Dr. Jeffrey Gardere presents a savvy, realistic guide for today's black parents. He takes an honest look at the problems their children face and stresses the importance of strong parent-child communication for fostering self-esteem.

He also provides the tools parents need to give their sons and daughters a head start in the earliest years, help them get the most out of school, and cope with the turbulent teen years. Plus, there's sobering advice on keeping children safe from sexual predators and on handling a confrontation with the police. Here is a sensitive, no-nonsense approach to raising black children that will show parents how to be a source of support, love, and protection for their kids -- giving them the foundation they need to flourish for the rest of their lives.  

Practical Parenting
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ISBN: 1588250008
Format: Hardcover, 211pp
Pub. Date: September 2000
Publisher: Hay House, Inc.

In this uniquely informative book, written in a refreshingly open and conversational tone, talk-show host Montel Williams and psychologist Jeffrey Gardere, Ph.D., delve into an area that has become increasingly significant in recent years -- how to effectively parent our children in the difficult and complex society we live in.

Williams and Gardere apply their many years of professional and personal experience to the subject of "practical parenting," offering their unique views on topics such as prenatal planning, newborn-baby care, the differences between boys and girls, child discipline, building self-esteem, sex and drug education, the importance of schooling, keeping your kids safe, teenage rebellion, and much more. Poignant stories about individuals whom Montel and Jeff have been closely involved with illustrate these issues at the conclusion of each chapter.

The information that these two fascinating individuals impart here will help make you a more empathetic, self-confident, knowledgeable parent, thereby making your children the type of human beings that can only make this world a better place.

Related Links

Dr. Jeff Gardere Official We Site
http://www.drjeffgardere.com