Dr. Janet Geringer Woititz obtained her Bachelors Degree at Antioch College, a Masters Degree from Montclair State College and her Doctorate in Education from Rutgers University. Dr. Woititz's doctoral dissertation was on The Self Esteem of Children of Alcoholics.

As a Professor at Montclair State and In her private counselling practice she began to notice characteristics from individuals who were raised in Alcoholic homes. Dr. Woititz was among the first practicioners in the world that addressed and identifyed the impact on family members from exposure to chronic alcoholism and drug dependence. Subsequent research has shown that the same dynamics affecting the families of alcoholics also applies to dysfunctional family systems in general and transcends culture and age.