2023 WAMFT December Webinar

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“They are just manipulating you!”

With a single statement, the hopeless caregivers anxiously dismiss the systemic family therapist’s intervention, “they are just manipulating you!” A power struggle ensues and now the therapist takes on the pressure to fix the family. When working with youth diagnosed Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) the therapeutic process is easily derailed by the caregivers’ abdication, anxious and hopeless narrative, and the youth’s life-threatening behaviors. Tragically, the system has pathologized the youth’s lived experience of generational trauma, tragedy and hardship. Making the stakes even higher as the youth believes they area burden and should kill themselves. This introductory level program will focus on seeing the extremely emotionally sensitive youth within a larger system. Participants will increase their understanding of BPD symptomology through the biosocial theory. Using systemic family therapy theory participants will learn how to conceptualize ruptured relationships as dialectical tension. Participants will apply concepts to a recorded session.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will identify how BPD symptomology relates to the biosocial theory.
2. Participants will define interactional pattern using a case study, based on a systemic conceptualization.
3. Participants will identify “dialectical tension” to engage a healing interactional pattern with caregiver’s leading the way.

Continuing Education Units

You can receive up to 2.0 CEs for this webinar series. Click Here for information on CEs. Approved for LMFTs, LPCs, and LCSWs in Wisconsin.

Non-Members

Non-members wishing to register for events will need to create a prospective member account. This will provide you with an AAMFT account but you will not have to pay dues. This way you can register for any event with us in the future!

Dr. Jennifer Benjamin

Dr. Jennifer Benjamin received her doctorate degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Capella University in 2018, and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Immaculata University in 2007. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) an independent practitioner in the greater Philadelphia Region. Dr. Benjamin currently works as the Clinical Fidelity Specialist at the Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center. This includes training, curriculum development, data management, continuing education administration, and research.

Dr. Benjamin has several specialty areas and certificates including Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a rating of Global Adherence in Standard Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. As a former Clinical Director Dr. Benjamin led a comprehensive Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) program for youth (11–18-years) in Pennsylvania, and an in-home systemic family therapy program in Delaware for severally emotionally disturbed at risk youth. While in this role she oversaw the doctoral practicum students, outpatient evidence-based treatment, DBT parent training, site management of research/treatment outcomes, was the in-house DBT trainer, systemic supervisor, & developed fidelity processes. Finally, as a former adjunct Dr. Benjamin taught in the Graduate Counseling Program and the Undergraduate Psychology Program at Rosemont College.

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Jessica Walters

Mrs. Jessica Walters received her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Argosy University in 2011. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in PA. Since 2021 Mrs. Jessica Walters has been the Program Director of an intensive in-home systemic family therapy program in rural PA that specializes in youth with extreme emotional disturbances, complex trauma; frequently, this population is diagnosed with a rule out Cluster B personality disorder. These youth have life threatening behaviors are at risk for out of home placement. Formerly Mrs. Walters was the Program Director of a youth connection mentoring program in the same community working to coordinate a “big brother/sister” match for youth and expand their ecosystem of natural supports. Finally, Mrs. Walters serves on the board of directors for the Open Door Café. The Café supports the community in connecting patrons with local resources and ensuring everyone can have food security by offering free or pay what you can meals.