Wednesday

Breakout Sessions 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Please be aware that the schedule reflects the Eastern Time Zone. The programming schedule will be continuously updated leading up to the event.

Mind the Gap: Early Diagnosis in Systems Work

Julia Harkleroad, MS, LCMFT

It can take nearly 11 years for a proper diagnosis in mental healthcare. There are many contributing factors to the delay in treatment. This session will focus on how family therapists without special training in mental disorders, such as OCD, can mind the gap. Family therapists may be the first providers to detect mental disorder in a system even if their therapeutic modality refrains from labeling disorders. Many mental disorders require specific treatment for remission. Being prepared to serve family and professional systems means being prepared to encounter disorders, initiate conversation about treatment, and set boundaries around professional experience and training. To ensure no mental disorder is left untreated, this session will introduce feedback-informed practices, differentiate specialties in mental health vs. mental disorder, and assess the risks of delay in treatment for disorders such as OCD, Major Depression, and more.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session's content, I am able to identify the difference between services for mental disorder and services for mental health.
Based on this session's content, I am able to define and communicate my professional limits in the treatment of mental disorder with my clients.
Based on this session's content, I am able incorporate feedback from my clients into the delivery of my services to enhance positive outcome measures and close the mental healthcare gap.

Understanding Buffalos: Theoretical Foundations for Treating Disruptive Behavior Disorders – Part 1

Michael Whitehead, PhD, LMFT

Disruptive Behavior Disorders (ADHD, ODD, CD, ASD, etc.) tend to be the most sought out concerns for families and schools (Christenson, Crane, Malloy, & Parker, 2016), yet therapists tend to shy away from these cases (Wampler & Whitehead, 2020). The first part of this two part presentation will review important theoretical foundations and family system principles necessary for the systemic treatment of disruptive behavior disorders. Triangulation, differentiation (Bowen, 1978), child temperament (Thomas & Chess, 1977), and the coercion model (Patterson, 2016) will be reviewed and explored to better understand the etiology and systemic dynamics of childhood disruptive behavior disorders. The metaphor of training buffalos will be introduced to reinforce these theoretical foundations and set the stage for effective interventions for families with a child(ren) experiencing disruptive behavior disorders.

Part 2 (Training Buffalos: Systemic Interventions for Disruptive Behavior Disorders) will build on this presentation with live demonstrations of effective systemic interventions for these families.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to describe 3 family systems principles important to the development and treatment of disruptive behaviors.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify and discuss the coercion cycle and its application to disruptive behavior disorders.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to describe how child temperament plays a role in the development of disruptive behavior disorders.

Understanding the Dynamics of Chronic Illness/Pain & Disability - Part 1

Julie Payne, LMFT

This session is part I of working with clients experiencing chronic illness/chronic pain. This presentation identifies the most prevalent chronic health conditions in the US. The session will also promote the exploration of personal biases and ableism. Additionally, the session will address prominent issues that clients face when living with chronic pain/illness, challenges in navigating the healthcare system, the impact on the family and relationships, and how, as clinicians, we can work with clients to improve experiences.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify 3 types of ableism.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify the most common chronic health conditions in the US.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to understand common challenges clients face and how to address them when working with clients living with chronic illness/pain.

Falling Back in Love with Being a Therapist

Christie Eppler, PhD, LMFT

Jen Hutchings, PhD, LMFT

Inspired by Kai Cheng Thom’s Falling Back in Love with Being Human, this experiential session explores how therapists cope with burnout. Throughout their careers, clinicians are prone to compassion fatigue and secondary trauma. Fostering systemic resilience in oneself and the community requires creating supportive connections, deconstructing unhelpful social messages, and practicing awareness, compassion, and creativity. Using narrative techniques and resilience theory, participants will enhance their thriving skills and self-care practices to mediate challenging clinical experiences in and out of session.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify three symptoms of therapist burnout.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify at least three components of systemic resilience.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to practice at least one coping mechanism to alleviate therapist burnout.

Narrative Supervision as Counter Story Development

Danna Abraham, PhD, LMFT

Traditional Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) supervision often emphasizes expert-based supervision models that often leave little room for highlighting personal knowledge and the lived experiences of supervisees. In this presentation, we will explore the fundamental principles of narrative supervision to counter the effects of traditional supervision models. Specifically, we will center our explorations to bring forth therapists’ personal knowledge and values that are often marginalized in the process of training aspiring therapists. By focusing on developing an experience-near framework linked to a long history of principled actions in the therapist’s life we hope to support the integration of personal values into MFT practice. In other words, narrative supervision as counter story development can serve as a powerful antidote, promoting self-knowledge and offering the means for transformational experiences within and across broader institutional systems.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to understand the limitations of traditional expert-based Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) supervision models, particularly how they often marginalize personal knowledge and lived experiences of supervisees.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of narrative supervision and how it serves as a counter to traditional supervision models, emphasizing the importance of therapists' personal knowledge and values.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to integrate an experience-near framework in MFT supervisory practices that promotes self-knowledge.

Supporting Trans and Non-Binary Clients – Part 1 – Identity

Sar Surmick, MA, LMFT

Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive folks currently make up around 20% of the US population under the age of 22. What used to be a specialty is showing up in therapy rooms across the US. These clients have a right to quality and affirming care. They also have reasonable expectations about our knowledge & awareness, and yet few of us were ever taught how to work with them. In Part 1 we’ll look at some foundational information and concepts you need to know when working with these populations. We’ll discuss some basic definitions, Identity formation, Trans Identity expressions, and population features. We will practice identity affirmation and talk about why it’s so important in the therapy room. And we’ll answer your questions about working with these growing and vulnerable populations. This workshop will use lecture, discussion, and exercises to explore how to work with Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive clients.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session's content, I am able to: define the difference between sex and gender.
Based on this session's content, I am able to: define at least three different Trans and Trans adjacent identities.
Based on this session's content, I am able to: apply my knowledge to affirming behavior in and out of the therapy room.

Emotionally Focused Therapy with L/G/B/T/Q/+ Romantic Relationships

Caitlin Edwards, PhD

Andrea Wittenborn, PhD

This session will provide participants with empirically based recommendations for the use of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with members of LGBTQ + communities. EFT therapists working with LGBTQ + romantic relationships must account for the unique lived experiences of sexual and gender minorities, such as minority stress, identity development, and queer joy, which inform attachment experiences and relationships. Participants will gain a better understanding of therapist preparation, knowledge development, practice set up and orientation, and ways of adapting each step and stage of EFT to account for the unique lived experiences of members of LGBTQ + communities.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session's content, I can identify why EFT should be adapted for LGBTQ + romantic relationships.
Based on this session's content, I can understand how to adapt EFT when working with LGBTQ + romantic relationships.
Based on this session's content, I can describe the knowledge, preparation, and clinical skill development necessary for using EFT with LGBTQ + romantic relationships.

Integrating Recent Findings from Neuroscience & Positive Psychology into Couple & Family Therapy - Part 1

Rick Weinberg, PhD

This will be the first of two linked one-hour sessions, with the final 10 minutes of each devoted to Q & A. In this, the first presentation, participants will obtain a focused, empirically-grounded overview of two fields with direct relevance to couple and family therapy—Relational Neuroscience and Positive Psychology.

Over the past decade, with the advent and proliferation of fMRI and PET scan research, cognitive neuroscientists have become better able to understand how the brain operates in interpersonal and social situations. Selected recent findings from brain science with direct relevance to systems therapy will be described succinctly, through a systemic therapy lens.

Relational Neuroscience. Particular emphasis in the first part of the review will be on the neural pathways linking the limbic system (notably the amygdala) and the dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Traffic along these neural highways is directly involved in unproductive emotional responding as well as more constructive communication prompted by thoughtful and reasoned dialogue. Thus, this review will provide a science-based foundation for better understanding therapeutic strategies (covered in the second hour) that can help couples and family members better regulate their emotions and more readily and constructively manage disagreement and conflict.

Positive Psychology. A second area of emphasis in the first hour will focus on the neural networks connecting the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, the (endorphin-based) reward or pleasure centers of the brain, and the hippocampus (which regulates learning and memory). These particular networks are essential to the anticipation and experience of pleasure. More specifically, participants will learn about how the processes that govern enjoyable experiences are coded and stored in memory, retrieved, and over time accrued to create positive expectancies. This part of the review will provide a neurobiological grounding to help MFTs more thoroughly understand a variety of therapeutic strategies that will be described in the second hour. These interventions can be used to help clients elevate from antagonistic relational dynamics to not just tolerable interactions, but rather to more pleasant and potentially deeper, more intimate relationships.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am better able to understand the functions of the amygdala and prefrontal cortex and their relevance to improving couple and family communication.
Based on this session’s content, I am better able to understand how the reward center of the brain processes enjoyable experiences that can lead to greater couple and family relational satisfaction and strengthen the sense of connection.
Based on this session’s content, I am better able to understand various neural networks connecting the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and reward centers; and how these linkages are related to the neuroplastic changes that recent fMRI studies have demonstrated occur with effective therapy.

Avoiding Legal Jeopardy when Working with High-Conflict Co-Parenting: Do's and Don't's - Part 2

William F. Northey, Jr., MFT, PhD

Family therapists (MFTs) working with high-conflict custody issues face a unique and elevated risk of legal and ethical complaints to regulatory boards. For MFTs, the likelihood of facing a complaint is not a matter of if, but when. Although many complaints are unsubstantiated and often dismissed, they generally arise from a client’s dissatisfaction with the therapeutic process or an outcome deemed undesirable, the potential for legitimate grievances underscores the need for robust protective measures. In part 2 of this presentation, participants will consider best practices for working with high-conflict clients, focusing on the child's "voice", reunification therapy, parental alienation, and step-parents. Participants will leave with a more nuanced understanding of the best practices to effectively work with families in conflict.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to consider the role of the child's voice in addressing parental conflict in custody disagreements and the importance of documents.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to understand how to systemic complexities of estrangement related to residential custody of children.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to appreciate how step-parents and extended family might contribute to the maintenance of conflictual co-parenting.

Confident Kids, Confident Parents: How to Implement a Family Psychoeducational Program in the Local Community

Mady Cheng

This session will introduce the Confident Kids program, as an example of a psychoeducational program for families. Practical tips for program administration and implementation will be discussed.
The Confident Kids program is designed for high-stress families with elementary school-aged children. The program covers life skills such as coping with changes (e.g., divorce), emotional regulation, and decision-making. The same contents are presented to both the children’s groups and the parents’ groups on the same day, empowering families to implement changes at home together. The contents are presented through play therapy techniques, such as arts, crafts, and drama, to the children’s groups, and through lectures and discussion to the parents’ groups. Mady has been the Confident Kids program administrator and a group facilitator for both the children’s and parents’ groups in a church for seven years. She would like to share her volunteer experience and hopes to inspire mental health professionals to serve local communities with their talents and skills.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am inspired to exercise my servant leadership skills and make a positive impact by leading mental health programs in local communities.
Based on this session’s content, I can apply and integrate marriage and family therapy principles into community mental health programs, enhancing individual mental health and family relationships in the community.
Based on this session’s content, I will be able to develop strategies to identify and collaborate with community stakeholders to implement mental health programs.

Breakout Sessions 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Training Buffalos: Systemic Interventions for Disruptive Behavior Disorders – Part 2

Michael Whitehead, PhD, LMFT

Disruptive Behavior Disorders (ADHD, ODD, CD, ASD, etc.) tend to be the most sought out concerns for families and schools (Crane, Malloy, & Parker, 2016), yet therapists tend to shy away from these cases (Wampler & Whitehead, 2020). Over 50 years of research tells us how to help children with these disorders (Granic & Patterson, 2006), yet most of the interventions that are still used actually perpetuate the problem (Bearss, Johnson, & Smith, 2015) Kaminski & Claussen (2017) continue to find that the most important aspect of treating DBD’s is having a systemically informed multi-modal treatment approach.
The second part of this two part presentation will build upon the theoretical foundation presented in part one (Understanding Buffalos: Theoretical Foundations for Treating Disruptive Behavior Disorders) by demonstrating several systemic play therapy interventions that have been effective for treating DBD’s.
A showcase of video-recorded sessions and live demonstrations will be utilized to help participants better conceptualize the interventions.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify and utilize appropriate filial/directive/child-centered play therapy interventions for families with disruptive behavior disorders.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to demonstrate through role play, the use of a play therapy intervention for triangulation.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify the role of the systemic therapist at involving parents and extra-systemic adults in the therapeutic process.

The Neurobiology and Treatment of Couples - Part 1

Harvey Joanning

The presentation will focus on the Neurobiology and Treatment of Couples. Primary emotion systems in the brain and endocrine systems that drive each stage of relationship development, Romance, Attraction, and Attachment, will be described. Strategies and interventions based on neuroscience will be detailed for assisting couples at each stage of relationship development. Particular emphasis will be given to dealing with couples in distressed relationships. How these neuropsychological strategies add to “talk therapy” will be detailed.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify primary emotion systems in the brain.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify hormones that drive intimate behavior.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to better assist distressed couples to improve their relationships.

Trauma and PTSD: Implications for Trauma-Informed Care

Jennifer Pemberton, PhD

This workshop will present prevalence information and the developmental impact of sexual abuse and trauma on neurobiological, emotional, behavioral, and social functioning. A comprehensive approach to trauma-informed care will be discussed that includes evidence-based therapy models, innovative group treatment strategies, and a multidisciplinary service delivery model. Vicarious trauma will be addressed for clinicians working with trauma and self-care strategies identified.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify the prevalence of trauma and the impact of trauma on neurobiological, behavioral, emotional, and social functioning.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify what trauma-informed care means and implement innovative, holistic, and comprehensive treatment strategies for children, adolescents and adults with traumatic experiences.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to incorporate self-care strategies to address vicarious trauma.

Supporting Trans and Non-Binary Clients – Part 2 – Clinical Practice

Sar Surmick, MA, LMFT

Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive folks currently make up around 20% of the US population under the age of 22. What used to be a specialty is showing up in therapy rooms across the US. These clients have a right to quality and affirming care. They also have reasonable expectations about our knowledge & awareness, and yet few of us were ever taught how to work with them. In Part 2 we’ll look at working with these populations in the therapy room: what to expect, what to watch for, and what to explore. We’ll discuss what gender dysphoria is, how it shows up, and how it interacts with other mental health issues. We look at some identity skills you can use. And we’ll answer your questions about working with these growing and vulnerable populations. This workshop will use lectures, discussions, and exercises to explore how to work with Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive clients.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session's content, I am able to: define at least two things to watch for when working with T/NB/GE clients.
Based on this session's content, I am able to: define gender dysphoria and how it’s used in therapy.
Based on this session's content, I am able to: apply at least one identity skill in the therapy room.

Making Measurement More Meaningful to Clinicians and Clinical Researchers

Shayne Anderson, PhD

This workshop will discuss the importance of quality measurement in clinical practice and research. Topics of discussion will include making measures more clinically useful, couple and family measures with high clinical utility, and best practices for using outcome measures in clinical practice.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session's content, I can understand clinical utility as a psychometric property to supplement validity and reliability.
Based on this session's content, I can understand how to evaluate current measures.
Based on this session's content, I can understand how to use measures in their practice.

Spirituality Could be the Missing Link from the Biopsychosocial Model

Niki La Monica

By integrating the principles of spirituality and quantum physics into the biopsychosocial model, we may enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Moreover, systemically integrating these aspects into the therapeutic relationship may lead to emotional and mental wellness.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session's content, I can understand that there are BioPsychoSocial and a Spiritual context in therapeutic Setting.
Based on this session's content, I can understand that there are Quantum Physics connected to psychology.
Based on this session's content, I can understand that there are four different bodies of energy fields (physical, mental, social, and spiritual) related to quantum physics and well-being.

Uncovering Another Family Secret: Child-to-Caregiver Violence

Steve Simms, PhD, LMFT

Research shows that child-to-caregiver violence (CCV) has dramatically increased across the world. Despite this trend, MFTs responsible for human welfare and well-being across a broad continuum of care often overlook this hidden and stigmatized form of domestic violence. Once exposed, MFTs may struggle to tailor their interventions to feel safe, secure, and confident when engaging in threatening children, helpless, hopeless caregivers, and government services designed for other forms of domestic violence and abuse. This presentation helps MFTs describe and apply two strategies for recognizing and responding to CCV. Strategy one is to always screen for CCV. Strategy two is to organize assessment and treatment around a structural-strategic family therapy model. Video-recorded clinical sessions illustrate this process.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to describe the Child-to-parent Questionnaire, Parents’ version.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to see how child-to-caregiver violence is linked to ruptures in attachment characterized by feeling misunderstood and controlled.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to understand how to target child-based symptoms by working through the caregivers.

Integrating Recent Findings from Neuroscience & Positive Psychology into Couple & Family Therapy - Part 2

Rick Weinberg, PhD

This will be the second of two linked one-hour sessions, with the final 10 minutes of each devoted to Q & A. In this second presentation, participants will learn about several systemic interventions that are derived from research in two fields— Relational Neuroscience and Positive Psychology.

Over the past decade, with the advent and proliferation of fMRI and PET scan research, cognitive neuroscientists have become better able to understand how the brain operates in interpersonal and social situations. In this session specific systemic and relational treatment techniques that emanate directly from this research will be described.

Relational Neuroscience. Neural pathways and networks linking the limbic system (notably the amygdala) and the dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortex are directly involved in unproductive emotional responding as well as more constructive communication prompted by thoughtful and reasoned dialogue. In the first part of this session several systemic couple and family interventions will be described that can help couples and family members better regulate their emotions and more readily and constructively manage disagreement and conflict.

Positive Psychology. A second area of emphasis in this presentation will focus on the neural networks connecting the parts of the brain associated with the anticipation and experience of pleasure. Neuroscience-informed intervention strategies, also emanating from the field of Positive Psychology, will be described that are designed to prolong pleasurable moments, and associate enjoyment and deeper connection with intimate partners and family members. These interventions utilize partner and family member strengths, virtues, the experiential expression of loving and feeling loved, an emphasis on savoring pleasant and connective emotions, and construing all of this through a systemic lens, i.e., co-creating relationships that are strengthening and healing. These interventions have been shown to lessen old hurts; improve communication; address conflict; promote relational renewal via vulnerability and compassion; and establish optimistic expectancies for the future.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am better able to understand how connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex can be strengthened, resulting in more constructive couple and family communication and conflict management.
Based on this session’s content, I am better able to guide couples and families to savor enjoyable interactions and capitalize on pleasant relational sentiments to improve client problem-solving, promote healing, and further their treatment goals.
Based on this session’s content, I am better able to understand an experiential exercise used in an initial session that is based on love; and determine if I would like to use or modify it in my own clinical practice.

Understanding the Dynamics of Chronic Illness/Pain & Disability - Part 2

Julie Payne, LMFT

This is Part II of understanding dynamics when working with clients experiencing chronic illness / chronic pain. This section will go more in-depth about working with clients experiencing chronic illness/pain. This presentation will explore common co-occurring mental health diagnoses, practical interventions to utilize with clients, and the importance of collaborative efforts with clients and other medical professionals. There will also be more of an opportunity for Q&A to address any specific questions and discuss interventions that you can use with current clients.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify 2 common co-occurring mental health diagnoses seen with clients living with chronic illness/pain.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to understand and implement practical interventions to utilize when working with clients living with chronic illness/pain.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify ways to incorporate collaboration with clients and other medical professionals in my own work with clients living with chronic illness/pain.

Demystifying the Process of Improving Your State Medicaid Plan

Kelly Roberts, PhD, LMFT

Melissa Miller, MSW

As therapists, we have the skills to influence change in human systems, one by one. Advocacy skills, however, can influence change for all families connected to various systems – like Medicaid, for example. In this workshop, participants will learn general Medicaid structural knowledge, gain an understanding of typical cycles and processes for revising their state Medicaid plan, and hear tips to save time and strengthen approaches for new rules proposals. Examples will be given for two changes to the speaker’s state Medicaid plan: services for children with autism and Medicaid contracts for individual providers. Co-speaker will provide insights from agency insider perspectives.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to apply a working knowledge of how Medicaid is structured and funded.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to plan new initiatives for my state Medicaid plan across a full year cycle.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to integrate family therapy practices into community and institutional systems by building collaborative partnerships with justice professionals, mental health services, and community organizations and advocating for systemic changes to better support families impacted by SMI/SED.

Breakout Sessions 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

The Undiagnosed Phylogeny of Narcissism in the Black Community

Dr. Jeannelle

Could narcissism be more prevalent in the Black community than current diagnostic statistics suggest? The compounded impact of neglect, abandonment, physical abuse, sexual abuse, poverty, racism, and high crime can foster narcissistic behavior. In communities overwhelmed by these challenges, how does this affect their ability to form meaningful relationships, and what harm do families face when exposed to a narcissist? Discover the solutions to this complex issue in this segment of "The Undiagnosed Phylogeny of Narcissism in the Black Community."

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify signs and symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify three contributing factors to Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify treatment options for Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Muslim American Couples and Sociocultural Attunement

Zain Shamoon, PhD

In this session participants will encounter the concept of sociocultural attunement and context sensitivity as it applies to working with Muslim American couples. While this group is vast, and intersectionality must be taken into account, faith-based concepts and family kinship must be taken into account. The importance of cultural sensitivity, and respect for communal understandings of mental health and wellness (distinct from hyper-individualism) will be addressed. The presenter will provided clinical examples. Participants will gain an increased understanding of “both-and” perspectives when weighing the wellness of individuals in the couple alongside the various sub-systems they occupy. An approach based on principles of sociocultural attunement will be offered so that therapists can be more effective with Muslim American couples. Person-of-the-therapist action items for clinicians will also be identified as part of this presentation.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session's content, I can identify the importance of discussing family-of-origin themes with Muslim couples.
Based on this session's content, I can identify specific ways to broach the topics of culture and religion with Muslim couples, including ways in which faith enhances their bonds.
Based on this session's content, I can identify person-of-the-therapist (POTT) action items that help me practice cultural humility with Muslim couples.

MFT Supervision and Training: Getting Back to the Basics

John Robbins, PhD, LMFT

Efficacy research suggests that across Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) models, variables that impact the counseling relationship are important predictors of success in counseling (e.g., Hubble, Duncan, & Miller, 1999; Davis, Lebow, & Sprenkle, 2012). These results highlight the importance of enhancing relationship skills, instilling hope, hopefulness of the counselor, and purposeful ways of approaching clinical work as crucial in the change process. MFT models often assume social and relational skills are inherent in counselors, thus there is little focus on these skills, although most models allude to the importance of the therapeutic relationship. Typically, relationship skills are addressed in terms such as empathy, caring, warmth, affirmation, etc., yet this can become secondary to the clinician’s approach to intervening and assisting people in change. As supervisors and clinicians, it is important to get back to basics, both in rapport building and intentional ways of practicing. In this workshop, the presenter will offer how to bring counseling practices back to foundational aspects of family system’s work and relationship building. Focusing on rules, roles, triangles, and boundaries, the presenter challenges participants to simplify their approach, while also offering some strategies for opening up relationship building and productive conversations using improvisation techniques.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to apply the fundamental concepts of family systems thinking to training new counselors in the foundational aspects of MFT practice.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to employ creative exercises to assist counselors in increasing their therapeutic maneuverability.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to connect the main tenets of improvisational comedy to the basic principles of relationship building and counseling skills.

Tipping the Scales: Systemic Interventions within the Justice System

Erin Schaefer, IMFT-S, LPCC-S

Just as individuals operate within a family system, those individuals and families often interact with the justice system. How can MFTs impact this system? How can MFTs help justice system personnel understand the importance of MFT treatment and interventions? Understanding the nuances of the justice system, common challenges for MFTs working within it, and how to help individuals and families walk through this often complex and cumbersome system will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to learn common terms used in criminal justice settings.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify how MFTs are uniquely positioned to assist families with navigating the criminal justice system.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to define methods of systemic intervention for clients and families operating within criminal justice settings.

Strengthening the Couple Bond in Blended/Stepfamily Marriage - Part 1

Tammy Daughtry

Divorce impacts over a million children a year in the United States and abroad, resulting in millions of co-parents who are trying to navigate the path of shared parenting between households. In this two-part series, we will explore a process of education and facilitation that will help professionals who work with remarried parents and children as they plot a course for their families through these difficult issues. We will expand the professional toolbox with ideas, research, and resources that can be implemented immediately with clients. Part one will focus on introducing Innate Attachment vs. Developing Attachment, Cultivating the Couple Bond, and the Significance of “We” along with several role-play experiential segments to help participants understand and establish a guideline in dealing with this issue.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session's content, I can understand the nature of attachment in the context of blended family dynamics.
Based on this session's content, I can understand the importance of "bio time" in a blended family.
Based on this session's content, I am able to begin to plan a course of action for clients in blended families.

Bringing Family Therapy to Trans Youth

May Ragna Fianna

Trans youth experience rates of physical assault, sexual assault, homelessness, and suicide attempts many times their cisgender peers. But one factor protects trans children from these outcomes: family support. After nearly a decade of experience, I share my hard learned lessons for working with families of trans youth using family systems theory.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session's content, I can name risk factors affecting trans youth.
Based on this session's content, I can translate family systems theory for use with trans youth.
Based on this session's content, I can understand the lived experiences of trans youth and their families.

What's Love Got To Do With It? - Part 1

Meri Shadley, PhD

Traditional addiction counseling says “tough love” helps a client become sober. Research indicates that interpersonal connections that motivate people to get into treatment and supportive relationships are the cornerstone for maintaining long-term recovery. Compassion can be difficult to hold, however, in the face of the family trauma that often results from addictions. This workshop introduces SPATS, a unifying framework for wedding addiction counseling with family therapy. By integrating systemic thinking with core strategies of addiction treatment and stigma reduction, SPATS assesses how to strengthen the love to support individual and family change.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to detail a structured framework (SPATS) for assessing family dynamics.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to incorporate stigma reduction activities for better design of treatment strategies that assist in recovery.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to increase utilization of compassionate strategies to promote resiliency and help heal families in recovery.

Neurodiversity 101: Orienting toward the Neuroverse

Joshua Corwin

GinaMarie Russo, LMFT, LMHC

Series session 1 of 2: Neurodiversity exists; we are examples. It is more than a model; it is embodied, experiential, and inherently requires a systemic lens to understand. It has multiple forms and presents differently for each individual, regardless of similarities between the community. This educational session will include live examples and dialogues about what living in the neuroverse is like, including exploring common inter- and intra-personal and systemic experiences of members of the neurodiverse community. Join us as we facilitate the co-creation of systemically and neurodiversity-informed foundations for your personal framework as you enter the neuroverse, too. These topics and more will be explored further in a second session, titled Neurodiversity Deeper Dive.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify common experiences shared within the neuroverse.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to describe how these experiences affect neurodiverse clients.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to demonstrate engagement in conversations with clients using client-sensitive and neurodiverse-affirming language in a culturally sensitive way.

The Neurobiology and Treatment of Couples - Part 2: Brain-Focused Interventions Demonstration

Harvey Joanning

The presentation will be a video of a neurobiologically informed therapy session with a couple. Strategies for working with couples that include attention to primary positive and negative emotion brain systems, and hormones that promote or inhibit relationships will be demonstrated. Integrating such interventions with the work of the Gottman’s, Sue Johnson, and Brent Atkinson will be discussed. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions about the interventions used. The presenter will also describe advanced brain-focused interventions being developed to augment talk therapy with couples.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to attend to primary emotion systems in the brain.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to attend to hormones that drive intimate behavior.
Based on this session’s content, I am better able to integrate brain-focused interventions into current models of couple therapy.

Breakout Sessions 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

A Primer on Working with Military Families: Cultural Competency, Resources, and Professional Development

Kayla Fitzke, PhD, LMFT

Nichole Huff, PhD, CFLE

Jasmine Radjpaul

In 2022, the total number of U.S. military personnel, including active-duty, reserve, and Guard members, was 2,071,451 (DoD, 2022). When including service members’ family connections (i.e., spouses, minor children, adult/other dependents), the total estimated military-connected population topped 4.5 million individuals. In addition to navigating life events common to all families, military families are also vulnerable to challenges associated with navigating the ever-evolving military landscape. It is critical for therapists to have military cultural competency when working with military families. This includes awareness of the military family readiness system and the resources available to military families. This session will provide therapists with a working knowledge of the unique environment in which military families exist, as well as the available supports and resources therapists can leverage and/or refer to when working with military families. Additionally, given the ever-evolving nature of the military landscape, this session will highlight opportunities for professional development for therapists seeking to stay up to date on the latest policies and issues relevant for providers working with military families, specifically through OneOp. The OneOp network is a collaboration between the Department of Defense, Cooperative Extension, and university subject matter experts producing open-access, research-based professional development for providers serving military families. OneOp offers no-cost continuing education (CEs) spanning a variety of subject areas relevant to MFTs interested in working with military families. Time will be reserved for Q&A.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to describe the unique challenges military families may face.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify appropriate military family resources for collaboration and/or referral.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify where to go for professional development opportunities to learn more about working with military families.

Utilizing Telesupervision to Prepare Trainees To Provide Online and Onground Therapy

Dale Bertram, PhD, LMFT

After the pandemic, there was a pronounced shift toward online therapy and online supervision. In this workshop, we explore how tele-supervision can be utilized to equip supervisees to provide effective online and on-ground therapy.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to describe resources that are essential for supervisors to give to supervisees to review in order to provide effective online therapy.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to describe how to provide effective observable data supervision online to equip supervisees for providing online therapy.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to describe how supervisors can utilize Janusian thinking related questions can help equip supervisees for online and on-ground therapy.

Advancing Disability Affirmative Therapy in Marriage and Family Therapy: Bridging Gaps for Inclusive Practice

Manasi Shankar, PhD, LPCC, LPC, NCC

Disability research has made significant strides over the past few decades, navigating dynamic shifts in conceptualizations, language use, and the operationalization of disability. Despite the inherently systemic nature of disability from a Social Model perspective, scholars and researchers in this field often struggle to establish a prominent presence within marriage and family therapy (MFT). This gap substantially impacts the clinical services provided to clients.

My presentation underscores the critical need for enhanced disability discourse and training within the MFT field. It highlights the historical and current contributions of family scholars to disability research, focusing on past achievements of MFTs and the potential for the field to holistically support clients with disabilities, ensuring that key aspects of their identity are not overlooked. Drawing from current empirical research, the presentation addresses the needs of the disabled community at individual, policy, and familial levels. Additionally, it offers practical strategies for practicing Disability Affirmative Therapy, guiding clinicians in creating therapy experiences that are affirming, collaborative, integrative, and inclusive.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to apply client-centered inquiries and culturally sensitive considerations during the initial phase of therapy with disabled clients, maximizing their sense of safety, comfort, and empowerment within the therapeutic environment.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to utilize Walsh's Family Resilience Framework to structure disability-affirmative care recommendations, focusing on family belief systems, organizational patterns, communication/problem-solving, and collaborative resource access to enhance family resilience and support.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to implement specific clinical interventions aimed at enhancing communication, fostering a sense of connectedness, and addressing structural dynamics within the family unit of disabled individuals, promoting holistic well-being, social inclusion, and empowerment.

The Demand/Withdraw Pattern in Couple Relationships: Implications for Therapists

Ryan Seedall, PhD, LMFT

This session will address the importance of patterns and processes in couple relationships for SFTs. In particular, we will address the demand/withdraw pattern. We will briefly summarize some of our team’s research regarding the gender and attachment dynamics associated with demand/withdraw. We will also explain how to understand the demand/withdraw pattern from an interpersonal neurobiology perspective—in particular, how the window of tolerance relates to demand/withdraw patterns. A large portion of this session will address the clinical implications of demand/withdraw research, including how to more use interventions that more fully address gender and attachment dynamics associated with demand/withdraw. We will also discuss interventions for addressing demand/withdraw patterns within the couple sexual relationship.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to understand demand/withdraw dynamics, including from an interpersonal neurobiology perspective.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to summarize relevant gender and attachment dynamics associated with both demand and withdraw behaviors.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify core intervention pathways for working with demand/withdraw in couple relationships.

Strengthening the Couple Bond in Blended/Stepfamily Marriage - Part 2

Tammy Daughtry

In part 2 of this series, participants will focus on co-parenting between homes with a special focus on communication, handling the hand-offs, and co-parenting meetings. Participants will delve deeper into the categories of co-parenting and their impact on children, defining family and strengthening connections through separation. Role-play and video will be used to help participants understand how to help clients navigate using these methods.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session's content, I am able to name and describe the five categories of co-parenting and their impact on children.
Based on this session's content, I am able to define the elements needed to have a successful blended/stepfamily.
Based on this session's content, I am able to further develop ways in which I can use these skills to help parents and children navigate their own blended families.

Empowering Families: 5 Effective Strategies for MFTs Working with Substance Use Disorders

William F. Northey, Jr., MFT, PhD

Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) play a pivotal role in supporting and intervening with families affected by substance use disorders. This workshop will provide MFTs with five effective strategies to empower families through evidence-based approaches and practical tools. Participants will explore the application of systems theory, the utilization of motivational interviewing, the importance of relapse prevention, communication skills, and the role of technology. By integrating these strategies, MFTs will be better equipped to support families through the challenges of substance use disorders, fostering resilience and promoting lasting recovery. This engaging and informative session combines theory, practical skills, and innovative approaches to empower families.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to conceptualize the family as an interconnected system, identify problematic patterns influenced by substance use, and implement interventions to promote healthier family dynamics.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify skills to engage clients in constructive dialogues, foster intrinsic motivation for change, and effectively address ambivalence towards recovery within the family context.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to recognize the importance of creating individualized relapse prevention plans, teaching families to recognize and manage triggers, and enhancing communication skills to support ongoing recovery and reduce conflict within the family.

Resilience Reimagined: Innovative Approaches to Youth Suicide Prevention

Shiricka L. Fair, PhD, LMFT

This interactive session delves into innovative strategies for fostering resilience in youth, a critical component in suicide prevention. Participants will explore evidence-based approaches designed to empower young people to overcome challenges and build a strong foundation for mental well-being. Through engaging activities, real-life case studies, and collaborative discussions, this session reimagines traditional methods of suicide prevention by focusing on the unique needs of today’s youth. Attendees will leave equipped with practical tools and insights to implement these strategies in their own communities and organizations.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to identify and analyze key risk factors and protective factors for youth suicide, with an emphasis on resilience-building strategies.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to develop and apply innovative, evidence-based approaches to enhance resilience in youth as a means of suicide prevention.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to engage in collaborative activities that demonstrate how to create supportive environments and foster meaningful connections to promote mental wellness among youth.

Culturally Responsive Practice

Moderator: Kristina S. Brown

It is important for the field of MFT to extend its reach so that underrepresented populations can receive the benefits of systemic family therapy. This session offers four research presentations that describe working with LGBTQ+ clients, Black couples, and couples living in Uganda. These presentations described how existing MFT models have been adapted to accommodate the unique circumstances of each population.

Paper 1 - Queering Emotionally Focused Therapy: LGBTQ+ Client Recommendations for a Culturally Adapting Emotionally Focused Therapy Authors: Caitlin Edwards, Andrea Wittenbornn

Paper 2 - Attachment-based Family Therapy Qualitative Implementation Pilot Study with LGBTQ Youth: Stories of Opening up, Listening to Feelings, and Taking on Ghosts Authors: Katie Heiden-Rootes, Whitney Linsenmeyer, Jody Russon, Suzanne Levy, Guy Diamond

Paper 3 - Black Therapists’ Work with Black Couples Who Experience Racism-related Stress: A Grounded Theory Authors: Melinda R. Murdock

Paper 4 - Embracing New Territories: The Journey of Becoming an Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy Practitioner in Uganda Authors: Ronald Asiimwe, Pendo Galukande, Elmien Lesch, Anita Katerega

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session's content, participants will learn how EFT and attachment-based family therapy have been adapted to best treat LGBTQ+ clients.
Based on this session's content, participants will learn how Black therapists can best work with Black clients who have experienced racism.
Based on this session's content, participants will learn how to adapt EFT, which was developed in North America, to the cultural context of Uganda.

What's Love Got To Do With It? - Part 2

Meri Shadley, PhD

Since relationships are a cornerstone to successful recovery, systems theory provides an important framework for clinicians to assist in healing the trauma of addictive disorders. MFTs can assist in the recovery process by helping families find change points that reawaken their care and connection as an effective team. Utilizing SPATS, a systemic framework for assessing and treating families, this workshop will dive more deeply into common dysfunctional patterns as well as strategies that increase compassion while healing the pain of addiction. Self of the therapist and experiential techniques will be highlighted.

Learning Objectives:

Based on this session’s content, I am able to utilize SPATS (a structured framework) for assessing family dynamics in families facing addictive disorders.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to understand and create compassionate treatment strategies to assist in individual and interpersonal recovery.
Based on this session’s content, I am able to use “self of the therapist” awareness and experiential strategies to promote resiliency and help heal families in recovery.