Leigh Silverton, is an American Clinical Psychologist, she holds a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, in psychology (Clinical). Her mentor was Sarnoff A. Mednick. Together, they began a line of research on the interplay of genetic and environmental factors commonly known as diathesis-stress. They employed a prospective paradigm, begun by in 1962 by Mednick and Schulsinger in Denmark where various central registers exist. Silverton and Mednick developed an approach of applying gene X environmental interactions to research prospective factors in schizophrenia, supporting the notion of schizophrenia as a brain dysfunction. This and the notion of schizophrenia being a genetic disorder was controversial at the time. Silverton was invited to speak at a NATO conference as a student to present her findings. She published many articles in refereed journals (pub med articles to be added here - the most highly cited)
She later consulted with Western Psychological services to develop psychological tests which have remained in print from 1992 to 2024, at the time of this writing.
She is past president of the Society for exploration of psychotherapy integration (Others approved by Perry London would probably be the best persons to add references here (Perry London'a Modes and Morals was an excellent book as was Paul Wachtel's psychoanalysis and behavior therapy. Silverton is a consultant to creative people, particularly regarding narrative non-fiction. She also developed "frame analysis," as applied to taped incidents to show the truth of an interaction to trier of fact.
Family
Silverton's maternal grandparents (Victor and Adrea Carter) are best desribed by this article ://jewishjournal.com/old_stories/9387/). Leigh has always tried to honor the legacy of her grandparents which she sees as seeking the truth, helping the underdog, and giving to charities to promote a more tolerant and honest world.
Friends and Associations
Silverton has said of Los Angeles that it's the city of dreams, where the homeless man of today is tomorrow's movie star. Because she has lived in Los Angeles most of her life, she's known people such as Ed Khmara, the screenwriter, Chuck Philips, American Journalist, and has warm regards for too many movie stars and musicians to list.