In a special virtual gathering on May 17, De Novo honored long-time clinical director Paul Goldmuntz, Psy.D., who retired after 37 years of service. Paul first came to De Novo, then called the Cambridgeport Problem Center, as a counseling volunteer in the late 1970’s. He was hired as De Novo’s very first Clinical Director in 1984.

Under Paul's leadership, De Novo's Counseling Program grew from a small cohort of volunteer clinicians to four staff social workers who serve 425 clients annually. Paul both saw clients and oversaw the recruitment and supervision of over 300 volunteer clinicians during his tenure, allowing over 4,000 clients to access critical mental health services.

Paul Goldmuntz with De Novo Executive Director Mojdeh Rohani

"Truly so many of our volunteers have been with us for so long all due to your leadership, the person you are, and your generosity of spirit," said Mojdeh Rohani, LICSW, Executive Director of De Novo, who worked especially close with Paul as associate clinical director from 2007-2015. "You have played an important role in the professional lives of so many of us and we are forever grateful."

In 2001, Paul founded De Novo's Asylum Evaluation Project, which provides forensic psychological evaluations and court testimony to victims of torture, violence, and other human rights abuses to support their humanitarian relief applications. Asylum cases are particularly moving for Paul, as his own parents and sister fled the occupation of Belgium in WWII.

"Paul’s compassion, humanity, intelligence, and sense of humor has permeated this organization and has affected everyone who works here," said Andrew Cornell, a volunteer family law attorney at De Novo since 1994. "Paul has shown us how we can act in this world with compassion and dignity that allows others to gain meaning and joy in their lives."

The celebration featured video messages from staff and volunteers who have worked with Paul over the years. Among them was Valarie Ifill, a former De Novo client who served on the board of directors from 1988 to 1994.

"I grew to admire Paul for his ability to interact, to relate to people, for his ability to reach out," said Valarie Ifill. "Paul has a unique gift. He is a genuine soul. He is a person who enabled me to have hope when I had none. When I had doubts, when I had no sense of self worth, Paul was my life preserver."

Paul with Lauren Shebairo (L) and Mojdeh Rohani (R). Shebairo was promoted to clinical director in Jan. 2022.

“You have often talked about the generosity of spirit that has made this organization a place you have wanted to be a part of for so long. I want to acknowledge the way in which you have created that space for our volunteers," said Lauren Shebairo, clinical director. "This has been such a unique place to work where we haven’t been limited by the systems that impact our clients and the work can truly be client centered."
"For patients and therapists alike, you make bearing with the unbearable somehow bearable. And through that, hope has a handhold," said Janet Amphlett, a counseling volunteer who has worked with Paul since 1988. "Thank you for imbuing the De Novo walls with kindness, making it possible for so many of us to connect, and continue connecting, in such a rich and meaningful way."

Beloved Clinical Director Dr. Paul Goldmuntz Retires