Current Winner

Carl A. Whitaker Award

The Carl A. Whitaker Award is given to an MFT who has distinguished themselves by contributing to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy in creative or innovative ways. It is named after Carl Whitaker because he was a pioneer in the marriage and family therapy field. Through his experiential family therapy, he was personally engaged in helping families bring about change and flexibility in the family system.

Markie Twist

Markie Louise Christianson (L. C.) Twist (she/her/they/them), Ph.D. is an award-winning sexuality educator, sexologist, relationship therapist, author and international speaker. Dr. Twist is the Program Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate in Sex Therapy Program, and Professor in the Human Development and Family Studies Department and Marriage and Family Therapy Program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Dr. Twist is also a licensed marriage and family therapist and mental health counselor, as well as a clinical fellow and approved supervisor of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and certified sexuality educator and supervisor through the American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. Dr. Twist is co-author of the books, The Internet Family: Technology in Couple and Family Relationships and Focused Genograms: Intergenerational Assessment of Individuals, Couples, and Families (2nd ed.). Dr. Twist is the AAMFT Queer and Trans Advocacy Network (QTAN) Newsletter Editor. Dr. Twist serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Sexual and Relationship Therapy: International Perspectives on Theory, Research and Practice and is co-editor of the book, Eco-Informed Practice: Family Therapy in Age of Ecological Peril. In addition, Dr. Twist serves as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as well as a session instructor at the University of Guelph. To learn more about Dr. Twist visit: drmarkie.com