Scott Petit, M.A., LMHC

Senior Director of the Psychology of Civility Curriculum and Program Development and Financial Manager

Scott Petit brings his 25 years working as a psychotherapist to the Civility Fund. His work with individuals and couples has provided him with a unique perspective and skill-set that helps people gain self-awareness and psychological health, and develop effective ways of relating with others. These are critical aspects to foster civility. Scott works with the Fund’s two main programs: the Civility Center for the Law and Alfie Scholars. As the Associate Director, he is responsible for developing the curricula on the Psychology of Civility and on the Fundamentals of Civil Communication. This work combines compassionate self-awareness and effective communication skills, with the goal of cultivating ambassadors and leaders for civility who can inspire and teach others. Scott also manages the finances of the Civility Fund.

Scott’s work has been highly influenced by the work of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell. As a result, he embraces both the personal and mythological dimensions of the human experience. With regard to the psychology of the individual, Scott’s focus is on cultivating radical self-acceptance – the ability to meet every aspect of ourselves with the same kind of unconditional regard that healthy, loving parents have for all of their children.

He also sees built into the very nature of human existence the path of the mythological hero: Are we going to proceed in life in a half-asleep state, based on our programming and wounding since birth; or are we going to choose to awaken, face the dragons of fear and self-doubt, and embrace the destinies with which we were born?

In his work with the Alfie Scholars specifically, Scott incorporates these dimensions to help the scholars learn psychological tools for self-awareness, self-investigation and self-regulation, while at the same time, helping them to see their story as part of the larger, hero’s-journey story that has been with us throughout time – the path of becoming an authentic human being.

Scott received his Masters of Arts in Counseling from the Leadership Institute of Seattle in 1993.