Stephen Klotz, BA, MDiv, CVMT

In 1999, Steve began intensive studies of the Validation Method for communicating with older individuals living with dementia—building trusting relationships that reduce anxiety and increase happiness. He is one of only three Certified Validation Master Teachers in the United States.

Steve served as the director of the chaplaincy program for seven years at Country Meadows Retirement Communities, based in Hershey, Pennsylvania. From 2006 to 2021, he was the Executive Director of Validation Education, where he taught staff, family members, and others, and supported a network of Validation Teachers across Pennsylvania.

He has led courses and workshops on Validation and aging-related topics from New York to Minnesota to Texas to California. Steve is an adjunct professor at York College of Pennsylvania, where he currently teaches an annual course titled “Social Aspects of Aging.” He has also taught a course on “Ethical Aspects of Human Services.”