friday, september 14, 2012 - American Association for Marriage and

FamilyTherapy
T H E A M E R I C A N A S S O C I AT I O N
FOR
MARRIAGE AND
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FA M I LY
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THERAPY
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AAMFT Membership Benefits
Belonging to the AAMFT allows you access to outstanding benefits and professional development resources at www.aamft.org.
POLICY AND ADVOCACY: AAMFT is the primary advocate
for the profession, and the primary force for advancing the
practice of marriage and family therapy. Our staff and leaders
meet regularly with legislators and policy-makers to persuade
them that family therapy works and that family therapists
should be accepted throughout the health care system. To view
the latest legislation updates and to learn how you can take
action, please login as a member at www.aamft.org and click
on the Legislation and Policy link.
LEGAL CONSULTATION: AAMFT Clinical Fellows and members
who need consultation on legal matters relating to their
professional practice of marriage and family therapy can
consult with the AAMFT legal representative free of charge.
To make an appointment to seek legal consultation please
call (703) 253-0471, email [email protected], or visit
www.aamft.org and click on Legal and Ethics Information.
THERAPISTLOCATOR.NET: This free online therapist directory
is a public service of the AAMFT. Clinical Fellows receive a free
listing that they can personalize with practice and biographical
information and their photograph. The AAMFT regularly
advertises this service to the media and the public. Visit
www.therapistlocator.net to learn about this valuable service.
FREE ETHICAL PRACTICE INFORMATION: The AAMFT offers
comprehensive ethical advice and resources based on the
AAMFT Code of Ethics. Marriage and family therapists can
obtain FREE informational ethical advisory opinions, plus
training and resources to protect and inform you about
how to maintain an ethical practice. To reach this benefit
visit www.aamft.org and follow the Legal and Ethics
Information link.
JOB CONNECTION: Search for the ideal job or internship, or
find the perfect employee with the AAMFT’s Job Connection.
Anyone can post a job, but searching the listings is an exclusive
AAMFT member benefit.
DIVISION MEMBERSHIP: The AAMFT divisions advocate for
members at the state and local level and offer a variety of
networking opportunities. Access the division directory and
find out how you can get involved at www.aamft.org.
FAMILYTHERAPYRESOURCES.NET: This online resource
includes AAMFT publications, events and articles, tapes from
AAMFT conferences, and books by AAMFT members. AAMFT
members can view and print out complete magazine articles
for free. Members are also invited to add their books and
products to the list of resources at no charge. For further
information, visit www.FamilyTherapyResources.net.
ONLINE NETWORKING DIRECTORY: AAMFT members have
exclusive access to the membership directory located at www.
aamft.org. Use the directory to make referrals, develop a peer
supervision group, locate students to supervise, or find the
perfect supervisor for your internship.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: The AAMFT offers several
opportunities for MFTs to earn continuing education credit,
including an Annual Conference in the fall, as well as yearly
Institutes for Advanced Clinical Training. AAMFT members also
can earn continuing education online. AAMFT members receive
discounts on all continuing education opportunities. For more
information, visit www.aamft.org.
ONLINE STORE: The AAMFT provides an online store that
contains must-have publications and products. Visit www
.aamft.org/store to find a variety of consumer updates,
excellent resources, and AAMFT logo souvenirs. AAMFT
members receive discounts on all purchases made at
www.aamft.org/store.
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE: AAMFT membership
gives you access to comprehensive liability coverage and rates,
specifically designed for your practice. Call CPH and Associates
for more information at (800) 875-1911 or visit their website at
www.cphins.com.
HEALTH, DISABILITY, AND GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE:
The Marsh Company provides AAMFT members with a list of
plans from which to choose, depending on individual
needs. To find the right plan, call (800) 621-3008 or visit
http://aamft.healthinsurance.com.
PUBLICATIONS: AAMFT members receive free subscriptions
to the Family Therapy Magazine, AAMFT’s bimonthly
publication, as well as the quarterly Journal of Marriage
and Family Therapy (JMFT).
DISCOUNTED WEB HOSTING: from TherapySites.com (www.
therapysites.com/AAMFT). This web hosting company provides
therapist websites that bundle all the tools you need into
one all-inclusive package. The service is designed to give you
everything you need to make your online presence a profitable
investment for your practice including: Personalized domain
name, integrated email service, easy-to-use editing tools,
website hosting, unlimited pages, HIPAA compliant technology,
client forms, appointment requests, website statistics and
many other services.
DISCOUNTED CREDIT CARD PROCESSING: The AAMFT has
collaborated with First National Merchant Solutions to help
provide additional cost savings for members. Some of the
benefits of the program include: Discounted group rates on
Visa, MasterCard and Discover transactions, dedicated
account management team, additional merchant processing
services, including debit card acceptance, an interest-bearing
account, and check verification/guarantee services, free
online statements and account access and much more. An
additional benefit of this service is an account management
system that allows you to set up automatic client billing, the
ability to obtain insurance pre-authorizations and setting up
recurring payments.
WOMEN: Evolving
Roles in Society
and Family
FamilyTherapy
May/June
Volume 11 Number 3
Features
Departments
The following authors will be presenting on women’s issues at
the AAMFT 2012 Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC.
7
www.aamft.org
he Importance of Women, Education, and Sexual Health in
T
Our Society
2
President’s Message
3
Revised Code of Ethics
4
Advocacy Update
85
Supervision Bulletin:
Contemplative Supervision,
John Fulan, MS
92
Classifieds
92
Calendar
Joycelyn Elders, MD
9
Helping Our Older Clients with Sexual Issues: (It’s Not How
Often You Do it—It’s How Good You Feel)
Gina Ogden, PhD
11
What’s Going on with Our Little Girls?
Peggy Orenstein
14
Where
Has All the Gender Gone?
Mary M. Gergen, PhD
17
Women’s
Reproductive Mental Health:
The Myth of Maternal Bliss
Diana Lynn Barnes, PsyD
20
What
Does it Mean to “Come Out,” and
Why is it Even Necessary?
Jacqueline Hudak, PhD
Thorana Nelson, PhD
22
YOU+ME+ED
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
88 Referring Clients: A Guide for
the Mental Health Clinician and
Addiction Professional
Beverly Berg, PhD
90 Elite Treatment Programs:
Addressing the Clinical Needs
of a Culturally Unique Patient
Paul Hokemeyer, JD
= A Threesome: Couples and Eating Disorders
Kelli Young, MEd
Gina Dimitropoulos, PhD
26
Weaving
Wisdom: The Evolving Role of Older Women
Dorothy S. Becvar, PhD
28
Resolving
Women’s Relationship Issues through Differentiation
Ruth Morehouse, PhD
31
2012
AAMFT Annual Conference Presenter Index
34
2012
AAMFT Annual Conference Abstract Readers
37
THE
2012 AAMFT ANNUAL CONFERENCE
PRELIMINARY BROCHURE
Twenty-five percent of this paper is post-consumer recycled material
and preserves 17.49 trees, saves 7,429 gallons of wastewater flow,
conserves 12,387,806 BTUs of energy, prevents 822 lbs of solid waste
from being created, and prevents 1,618 lbs net of greenhouse gases.
L ETTER S TO THE EDITOR
We encourage members’ feedback
on issues appearing in the Family
Therapy Magazine. Letters should
not exceed 250 words in length,
and may be edited for grammar,
style and clarity. We do not
guarantee publication of every
letter that is submitted. Letters
may be sent to [email protected]
or to Editor, Family Therapy
Magazine, 112 South Alfred Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314-3061.
The American Association for
Marriage and Family Therapy
m a y
j u n e
2 0 12
1
FamilyTherapy
message from the president
V O L U ME 1 1, NUMBE R 3
This spring, my husband
hard working task force, will go into effect
and I moved after 28
(your copy is included immediately after this
years to a new house
column in the fold-out section). The Board
we built. Moving should
recognizes the need for policies associated
be hard, I thought, in
with the Approved Supervisor designation
Allison Frith
the emotional sense.
to be reviewed and updated. In September,
D E SIG N A ND PRI NT
After all, we reared
the Board of Directors will hear from the
Good Printers, Bridgewater, VA
three great kids at our
Chair of the Approved Supervisor Review
EX E C U TIV E EDI TORS
Michael Bowers
Tracy A. Todd
M A N A G IN G EDI TOR
Kimberlee Bryce
A DVE RTIS I NG
Family Therapy Magazine
(ISSN 1538-9448) is published
bimonthly (January, March, May,
July, September, November) by
the American Association for
Marriage and Family Therapy,
Inc., 112 South Alfred Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314-3061.
Printed in the USA. Periodical
mailing from Alexandria and additional entry points. ©2012 by the
American Association for Marriage
and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Inc.
All rights reserved. Written permission for reprinting and duplicating
must be obtained through the
Copyright Clearance Center at
www.copyright.com.
old house and have boxes of photos that
Task Force on their recommendations and
represent the good times. Yet, it wasn’t as
will consider the recommendations, keeping
hard as I thought, because we took with us
in mind the needs of LMFT Associates.
those boxes of photos, and many boxes of
memorabilia that told the story of the past
28 years. Along the way, we tossed quite of
bit of things that were outdated and hung
on to those items that still work. We built the
new house with a new way of living in mind.
It fits who we are today.
Working with staff and the AAMFT Board
has been a true pleasure. I have served
for a year and a half, and during that time,
seen the AAMFT begin its move in a very
positive manner. From working with the
newly formed Hawaii division, to opening up
a Board meeting to a division so that leaders
The AAMFT is an organization that is, in
could present a proposal, to supporting
a sense, moving too, out of one era into
the resurrection of the AAMFT Foundation
The articles published in the
Family Therapy Magazine are not
necessarily the views of the
association and are not to be interpreted as official AAMFT policy.
another. Thanks to your vote, we are adding
and encouraging much more engagement
to our “family” with new membership
between Central and Divisions, my tenure
categories. Thanks to your feedback,
as President has been a rewarding one. As
we have integrated your comments in
I finish up the last six months, the Board
Submission of manuscripts:
Manuscripts may be submitted
electronically to FTM@aamft.
org or mailed to: Editor, Family
Therapy Magazine, AAMFT, 112
South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA
22314-3061. Telephone: (703) 8389808. Concise articles (2000 words
or less) are preferred. Authors
should allow at least two months
for a decision.
the revised Code of Ethics. In regard to
and I will look at what needs to move into
membership services, we are taking, with
the future with the AAMFT as the new
our move, the benefits that work for you, as
business plans take shape. The Board and
marriage and family therapists, and tossing
I will examine which items should be let go
out the outdated items that no longer fit.
and brainstorm over new products. Moving
Our plan is now to replace them with new
can be a back breaking activity at times,
services that do fit. To do that, the Board has
but in the end, living in a new context with
been examining many paths to take.
whisperings of old memories to remind us
Advertising deadline for both
classified and display advertising
is approximately eight weeks
before the month of publication.
Please call (703) 253-0447
for exact deadline dates or visit
www.aamft.org. All advertising
must be prepaid.
■
POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to:
Family Therapy Magazine
112 South Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3061
Currently, your Board of Directors has been
proactive about the AAMFT’s move into the
future by examining again, the Strategic
who we are, where we have been and how
far we can go, is exciting.
Now back to unpacking!
Planning Task Force’s recommendations
and are now working on choosing from
several new plans as “business owners.” I
encouraged them to put on their business
owner hats, because we have services and
products to deliver to you, our members,
and we need to be mindful of our delivery.
In July, the revised Code of Ethics,
presented to the Board of Directors by a
- linda
metcalf, phd
CODE OF ETHICS
E F F E C T I V E J U LY 1 , 2 0 1 2
Preamble
The Board of Directors of the American Association for
Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) hereby promulgates,
pursuant to Article 2, Section 2.01.3 of the Association’s Bylaws,
the Revised AAMFT Code of Ethics, effective July 1, 2012.
The AAMFT strives to honor the public trust in marriage and
family therapists by setting standards for ethical practice as described in this Code. The ethical standards define professional
expectations and are enforced by the AAMFT Ethics Committee. The absence of an explicit reference to a specific behavior
or situation in the Code does not mean that the behavior is
ethical or unethical. The standards are not exhaustive. Marriage
and family therapists who are uncertain about the ethics of
a particular course of action are encouraged to seek counsel
from consultants, attorneys, supervisors, colleagues, or other
appropriate authorities.
Both law and ethics govern the practice of marriage and family therapy. When making decisions regarding professional
behavior, marriage and family therapists must consider the
AAMFT Code of Ethics and applicable laws and regulations. If
the AAMFT Code of Ethics prescribes a standard higher than
that required by law, marriage and family therapists must meet
the higher standard of the AAMFT Code of Ethics. Marriage
and family therapists comply with the mandates of law, but
make known their commitment to the AAMFT Code of Ethics
and take steps to resolve the conflict in a responsible manner.
The AAMFT supports legal mandates for reporting of alleged
unethical conduct.
The AAMFT Code of Ethics is binding on members of AAMFT
in all membership categories, all AAMFT Approved Supervisors and all applicants for membership or the Approved Supervisor designation. AAMFT members have an obligation to be
familiar with the AAMFT Code of Ethics and its application
to their professional services. Lack of awareness or misunderstanding of an ethical standard is not a defense to a charge of
unethical conduct.
The process for filing, investigating, and resolving complaints
of unethical conduct is described in the current AAMFT Procedures for Handling Ethical Matters. Persons accused are considered innocent by the Ethics Committee until proven guilty,
except as otherwise provided, and are entitled to due process.
If an AAMFT member resigns in anticipation of, or during the
course of, an ethics investigation, the Ethics Committee will
complete its investigation. Any publication of action taken by
the Association will include the fact that the member attempted
to resign during the investigation.
Principle I
Responsibility to Clients
1 . R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y TO C LIE NTS
Marriage and family therapists advance the welfare of families
and individuals. They respect the rights of those persons seeking
their assistance, and make reasonable efforts to ensure that their
services are used appropriately.
1.1 Non-Discrimination. Marriage and family therapists
provide professional assistance to persons without discrimination on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status,
disability, gender, health status, religion, national origin, sexual
orientation, gender identity or relationship status.
1.2 Informed Consent. Marriage and family therapists obtain
appropriate informed consent to therapy or related procedures
and use language that is reasonably understandable to clients.
The content of informed consent may vary depending upon the
client and treatment plan; however, informed consent generally
necessitates that the client: (a) has the capacity to consent; (b)
has been adequately informed of significant information concerning treatment processes and procedures; (c) has been adequately informed of potential risks and benefits of treatments
for which generally recognized standards do not yet exist; (d)
has freely and without undue influence expressed consent; and
(e) has provided consent that is appropriately documented.
When persons, due to age or mental status, are legally incapable
of giving informed consent, marriage and family therapists
obtain informed permission from a legally authorized person, if
such substitute consent is legally permissible.
1.3 Multiple Relationships. Marriage and family therapists
are aware of their influential positions with respect to clients,
and they avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of such
persons. Therapists, therefore, make every effort to avoid conditions and multiple relationships with clients that could impair
professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation. Such
relationships include, but are not limited to, business or close
personal relationships with a client or the client’s immediate
family. When the risk of impairment or exploitation exists due
to conditions or multiple roles, therapists document the appropriate precautions taken.
1.4 Sexual Intimacy with Current Clients and Others.
Sexual intimacy with current clients, or their spouses or
partners is prohibited. Engaging in sexual intimacy with
individuals who are known to be close relatives, guardians or
significant others of current clients is prohibited.
1.5 Sexual Intimacy with Former Clients and Others.
Sexual intimacy with former clients, their spouses or partners,
or individuals who are known to be close relatives, guardians
or significant others of clients is likely to be harmful and is
therefore prohibited for two years following the termination of
therapy or last professional contact. After the two years following the last professional contact or termination, in an effort to
avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of clients, marriage
and family therapists should not engage in sexual intimacy with
former clients, or their spouses or partners. If therapists engage
in sexual intimacy with former clients, or their spouses or partners, more than two years after termination or last professional
contact, the burden shifts to the therapist to demonstrate that
there has been no exploitation or injury to the former client, or
their spouse or partner.
1.6 Reports of Unethical Conduct. Marriage and family
therapists comply with applicable laws regarding the reporting
of alleged unethical conduct.
1.7 No Furthering of Own Interests. Marriage and family
therapists do not use their professional relationships with
clients to further their own interests.
1.8 Client Autonomy in Decision Making. Marriage and
family therapists respect the rights of clients to make decisions and help them to understand the consequences of these
decisions. Therapists clearly advise clients that clients have the
responsibility to make decisions regarding relationships such
as cohabitation, marriage, divorce, separation, reconciliation,
custody, and visitation.
1.9 Relationship Beneficial to Client. Marriage and family
therapists continue therapeutic relationships only so long as it is
reasonably clear that clients are benefiting from the relationship.
1.10 Referrals. Marriage and family therapists assist persons in
obtaining other therapeutic services if the therapist is unable or
unwilling, for appropriate reasons, to provide professional help.
1.11 Non-Abandonment. Marriage and family therapists do
not abandon or neglect clients in treatment without making
reasonable arrangements for the continuation of treatment.
1.12 Written Consent to Record. Marriage and family therapists obtain written informed consent from clients before videotaping, audio recording, or permitting third-party observation.
1.13 Relationships with Third Parties. Marriage and family
therapists, upon agreeing to provide services to a person or entity at the request of a third party, clarify, to the extent feasible
and at the outset of the service, the nature of the relationship
with each party and the limits of confidentiality.
1.14 Electronic Therapy. Prior to commencing therapy
services through electronic means (including but not limited to
phone and Internet), marriage and family therapists ensure that
they are compliant with all relevant laws for the delivery of such
services. Additionally, marriage and family therapists must: (a)
determine that electronic therapy is appropriate for clients, taking into account the clients’ intellectual, emotional, and physical
needs; (b) inform clients of the potential risks and benefits associated with electronic therapy; (c) ensure the security of their
communication medium; and (d) only commence electronic
therapy after appropriate education, training, or supervised
experience using the relevant technology.
Principle II
Confidentiality
2 . C O N F I D E N T I A L ITY
Marriage and family therapists have unique confidentiality concerns because the client in a therapeutic relationship may be more
than one person. Therapists respect and guard the confidences of
each individual client.
2.1 Disclosing Limits of Confidentiality. Marriage and family
therapists disclose to clients and other interested parties, as
early as feasible in their professional contacts, the nature of
confidentiality and possible limitations of the clients’ right to
confidentiality. Therapists review with clients the circumstances
where confidential information may be requested and where
disclosure of confidential information may be legally required.
Circumstances may necessitate repeated disclosures.
2.2 Written Authorization to Release Client Information.
Marriage and family therapists do not disclose client confidences except by written authorization or waiver, or where
mandated or permitted by law. Verbal authorization will not
be sufficient except in emergency situations, unless prohibited
by law. When providing couple, family or group treatment, the
therapist does not disclose information outside the treatment
context without a written authorization from each individual
competent to execute a waiver. In the context of couple, family
or group treatment, the therapist may not reveal any individual’s
confidences to others in the client unit without the prior written
permission of that individual.
2.3 Confidentiality in Non-Clinical Activities. Marriage and
family therapists use client and/or clinical materials in teaching,
writing, consulting, research, and public presentations only if a
written waiver has been obtained in accordance with Subprinciple 2.2, or when appropriate steps have been taken to protect
client identity and confidentiality.
2.4 Protection of Records. Marriage and family therapists
store, safeguard, and dispose of client records in ways that
maintain confidentiality and in accord with applicable laws and
professional standards.
2.5 Preparation for Practice Changes. In preparation for
moving from the area, closing a practice, or death, marriage and
family therapists arrange for the storage, transfer, or disposal
of client records in conformance with applicable laws and in
ways that maintain confidentiality and safeguard the welfare of
clients.
2.6 Confidentiality in Consultations. Marriage and family
therapists, when consulting with colleagues or referral sources,
do not share confidential information that could reasonably
lead to the identification of a client, research participant,
supervisee, or other person with whom they have a confidential
relationship unless they have obtained the prior written consent
of the client, research participant, supervisee, or other person
with whom they have a confidential relationship. Information may be shared only to the extent necessary to achieve the
purposes of the consultation.
2.7 Protection of Electronic Information. When using
electronic methods for communication, billing, recordkeeping,
or other elements of client care, marriage and family therapists
ensure that their electronic data storage and communications
are privacy protected consistent with all applicable law.
Principle III
Professional Competence
and Integrity
3. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND INTEGRITY
Marriage and family therapists maintain high standards of
professional competence and integrity.
3.1 Maintenance of Competency. Marriage and family therapists pursue knowledge of new developments and maintain
their competence in marriage and family therapy through
education, training, or supervised experience.
3.2 Knowledge of Regulatory Standards. Marriage and family
therapists maintain adequate knowledge of and adhere to applicable laws, ethics, and professional standards.
3.3 Seek Assistance. Marriage and family therapists seek appropriate professional assistance for their personal problems
or conflicts that may impair work performance or clinical
judgment.
3.4 Conflicts of Interest. Marriage and family therapists do
not provide services that create a conflict of interest that may
impair work performance or clinical judgment.
3.5 Veracity of Scholarship. Marriage and family therapists, as
presenters, teachers, supervisors, consultants and researchers,
are dedicated to high standards of scholarship, present accurate
information, and disclose potential conflicts of interest.
3.6 Maintenance of Records. Marriage and family therapists
maintain accurate and adequate clinical and financial records in
accordance with applicable law.
3.7 Development of New Skills. While developing new skills
in specialty areas, marriage and family therapists take steps
to ensure the competence of their work and to protect clients
from possible harm. Marriage and family therapists practice in
specialty areas new to them only after appropriate education,
training, or supervised experience.
3.8 Harassment. Marriage and family therapists do not engage
in sexual or other forms of harassment of clients, students,
trainees, supervisees, employees, colleagues, or research
subjects.
3.9 Exploitation. Marriage and family therapists do not engage
in the exploitation of clients, students, trainees, supervisees,
employees, colleagues, or research subjects.
3.10 Gifts. Marriage and family therapists do not give to or
receive from clients (a) gifts of substantial value or (b) gifts that
impair the integrity or efficacy of the therapeutic relationship.
3.11 Scope of Competence. Marriage and family therapists do
not diagnose, treat, or advise on problems outside the recognized boundaries of their competencies.
3.12 Accurate Presentation of Findings. Marriage and family
therapists make efforts to prevent the distortion or misuse of
their clinical and research findings.
3.13 Public Statements. Marriage and family therapists, because
of their ability to influence and alter the lives of others, exercise special care when making public their professional recommendations
and opinions through testimony or other public statements.
3.14 Separation of Custody Evaluation from Therapy. To
avoid a conflict of interest, marriage and family therapists who
treat minors or adults involved in custody or visitation actions
may not also perform forensic evaluations for custody, residence, or visitation of the minor. Marriage and family therapists
who treat minors may provide the court or mental health professional performing the evaluation with information about the
minor from the marriage and family therapist’s perspective as a
treating marriage and family therapist, so long as the marriage
and family therapist does not violate confidentiality.
3.15 Professional Misconduct. Marriage and family therapists
are in violation of this Code and subject to termination of membership or other appropriate action if they: (a) are convicted of
any felony; (b) are convicted of a misdemeanor related to their
qualifications or functions; (c) engage in conduct which could
lead to conviction of a felony, or a misdemeanor related to their
qualifications or functions; (d) are expelled from or disciplined
by other professional organizations; (e) have their licenses or
certificates suspended or revoked or are otherwise disciplined
by regulatory bodies; (f) continue to practice marriage and family therapy while no longer competent to do so because they are
impaired by physical or mental causes or the abuse of alcohol or
other substances; or (g) fail to cooperate with the Association
at any point from the inception of an ethical complaint through
the completion of all proceedings regarding that complaint.
Principle IV
Responsibility to Students and
Supervisees
4. RESPONSIBILITY TO STUDENTS AND SUPERVISEES
Marriage and family therapists do not exploit the trust and
dependency of students and supervisees.
4.1 Exploitation. Marriage and family therapists who are in
a supervisory role are aware of their influential positions with
respect to students and supervisees, and they avoid exploiting
the trust and dependency of such persons. Therapists, therefore,
make every effort to avoid conditions and multiple relationships
that could impair professional objectivity or increase the risk of
exploitation. When the risk of impairment or exploitation exists
due to conditions or multiple roles, therapists take appropriate
precautions.
4.2 Therapy with Students or Supervisees. Marriage and
family therapists do not provide therapy to current students or
supervisees.
4.3 Sexual Intimacy with Students or Supervisees. Marriage and family therapists do not engage in sexual intimacy
with students or supervisees during the evaluative or training
relationship between the therapist and student or supervisee. If
a supervisor engages in sexual activity with a former supervisee,
the burden of proof shifts to the supervisor to demonstrate that
there has been no exploitation or injury to the supervisee.
4.4 Oversight of Supervisee Competence. Marriage and family therapists do not permit students or supervisees to perform
or to hold themselves out as competent to perform professional services beyond their training, level of experience, and
competence.
4.5 Oversight of Supervisee Professionalism. Marriage and
family therapists take reasonable measures to ensure that services provided by supervisees are professional.
4.6 Existing Relationship with Students or Supervisees.
Marriage and family therapists avoid accepting as supervisees
or students those individuals with whom a prior or existing
relationship could compromise the therapist’s objectivity. When
such situations cannot be avoided, therapists take appropriate
precautions to maintain objectivity. Examples of such relationships include, but are not limited to, those individuals with
whom the therapist has a current or prior sexual, close personal,
immediate familial, or therapeutic relationship.
4.7 Confidentiality with Supervisees. Marriage and family
therapists do not disclose supervisee confidences except by
written authorization or waiver, or when mandated or permitted by law. In educational or training settings where there are
multiple supervisors, disclosures are permitted only to other
professional colleagues, administrators, or employers who share
responsibility for training of the supervisee. Verbal authorization will not be sufficient except in emergency situations, unless
prohibited by law.
Principle V
Responsibility to
Research Participants
5. RESPONSIBILITY TO RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
Investigators respect the dignity and protect the welfare of research
participants, and are aware of applicable laws, regulations, and
professional standards governing the conduct of research.
5. 1 Protection of Research Participants. Investigators are
responsible for making careful examinations of ethical acceptability in planning studies. To the extent that services to
research participants may be compromised by participation in
research, investigators seek the ethical advice of qualified professionals not directly involved in the investigation and observe
safeguards to protect the rights of research participants.
5. 2 Informed Consent. Investigators requesting participant
involvement in research inform participants of the aspects of
the research that might reasonably be expected to influence
willingness to participate. Investigators are especially sensitive
to the possibility of diminished consent when participants are
also receiving clinical services, or have impairments which limit
understanding and/or communication, or when participants
are children.
5.3 Right to Decline or Withdraw Participation. Investigators
respect each participant’s freedom to decline participation in or
to withdraw from a research study at any time. This obligation
requires special thought and consideration when investigators or other members of the research team are in positions of
authority or influence over participants. Marriage and family
therapists, therefore, make every effort to avoid multiple relationships with research participants that could impair professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation.
5.4 Confidentiality of Research Data. Information obtained
about a research participant during the course of an investigation is confidential unless there is a waiver previously obtained
in writing. When the possibility exists that others, including
family members, may obtain access to such information, this
possibility, together with the plan for protecting confidentiality,
is explained as part of the procedure for obtaining informed
consent.
Principle VI
Responsibility to the Profession
6. RES PONS IBIL IT Y T O T HE PROF ES S ION
Marriage and family therapists respect the rights and responsibilities of
professional colleagues and participate in activities that advance
the goals of the profession.
6.1 Conflicts Between Code and Organizational Policies.
Marriage and family therapists remain accountable to the
AAMFT Code of Ethics when acting as members or employees
of organizations. If the mandates of an organization with which
a marriage and family therapist is affiliated, through employment, contract or otherwise, conflict with the AAMFT Code
of Ethics, marriage and family therapists make known to the
organization their commitment to the AAMFT Code of Ethics
and attempt to resolve the conflict in a way that allows the fullest adherence to the Code of Ethics.
6.2 Publication Authorship. Marriage and family therapists
assign publication credit to those who have contributed to a
publication in proportion to their contributions and in accordance with customary professional publication practices.
6.3 Authorship of Student Work. Marriage and family therapists do not accept or require authorship credit for a publication
based on research from a student’s program, unless the therapist
made a substantial contribution beyond being a faculty advisor
or research committee member. Co-authorship on a student
thesis, dissertation, or project should be determined in accordance with principles of fairness and justice.
6.4 Plagiarism. Marriage and family therapists who are the
authors of books or other materials that are published or distributed do not plagiarize or fail to cite persons to whom credit
for original ideas or work is due.
6.5 Accuracy in Publication and Advertising. Marriage and
family therapists who are the authors of books or other materials published or distributed by an organization take reasonable
precautions to ensure that the organization promotes and
advertises the materials accurately and factually.
6.6 Pro Bono. Marriage and family therapists participate in
activities that contribute to a better community and society,
including devoting a portion of their professional activity to
services for which there is little or no financial return.
6.7 Advocacy. Marriage and family therapists are concerned
with developing laws and regulations pertaining to marriage
and family therapy that serve the public interest, and with altering such laws and regulations that are not in the public interest.
6.8 Public Participation. Marriage and family therapists
encourage public participation in the design and delivery of
professional services and in the regulation of practitioners.
Principle VII
Financial Arrangements
7 . F I N A N C I A L A R R ANGE ME NTS
Marriage and family therapists make financial arrangements with
clients, third-party payors, and supervisees that are reasonably
understandable and conform to accepted professional practices.
7.1 Financial Integrity. Marriage and family therapists do not
offer or accept kickbacks, rebates, bonuses, or other remuneration for referrals; fee-for-service arrangements are not
prohibited.
7.2 Disclosure of Financial Policies. Prior to entering into the
therapeutic or supervisory relationship, marriage and family
therapists clearly disclose and explain to clients and supervisees:
(a) all financial arrangements and fees related to professional
services, including charges for canceled or missed appointments; (b) the use of collection agencies or legal measures for
nonpayment; and (c) the procedure for obtaining payment from
the client, to the extent allowed by law, if payment is denied by
the third-party payor. Once services have begun, therapists provide reasonable notice of any changes in fees or other charges.
7.3 Notice of Payment Recovery Procedures. Marriage and
family therapists give reasonable notice to clients with unpaid
balances of their intent to seek collection by agency or legal
recourse. When such action is taken, therapists will not disclose
clinical information.
7.4 Truthful Representation of Services. Marriage and family
therapists represent facts truthfully to clients, third-party payors, and supervisees regarding services rendered.
7.5 Bartering. Marriage and family therapists ordinarily
refrain from accepting goods and services from clients in return
for services rendered. Bartering for professional services may be
conducted only if: (a) the supervisee or client requests it; (b) the
relationship is not exploitative; (c) the professional relationship
is not distorted; and (d) a clear written contract is established.
7.6 Withholding Records for Non-Payment. Marriage and
family therapists may not withhold records under their immediate control that are requested and needed for a client’s
treatment solely because payment has not been received for past
services, except as otherwise provided by law.
Principle VIII
Advertising
8. ADVERTISING
Marriage and family therapists engage in appropriate informational activities, including those that enable the public, referral
sources, or others to choose professional services on an informed
basis.
8.1 Accurate Professional Representation. Marriage and
family therapists accurately represent their competencies,
education, training, and experience relevant to their practice of
marriage and family therapy.
8.2 Promotional Materials. Marriage and family therapists
ensure that advertisements and publications in any media (such
as directories, announcements, business cards, newspapers,
radio, television, Internet, and facsimiles) convey information
that is necessary for the public to make an appropriate selection
of professional services and consistent with applicable law.
8.3 Professional Affiliations. Marriage and family therapists
do not use names that could mislead the public concerning the
identity, responsibility, source, and status of those practicing
under that name, and do not hold themselves out as being
partners or associates of a firm if they are not.
8.4 Professional Identification. Marriage and family therapists
do not use any professional identification (such as a business
card, office sign, letterhead, Internet, or telephone or association
directory listing) if it includes a statement or claim that is false,
fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive.
8.5 Educational Credentials. In representing their educational
qualifications, marriage and family therapists list and claim
as evidence only those earned degrees: (a) from institutions
accredited by regional accreditation sources; (b) from institutions recognized by states or provinces that license or certify
marriage and family therapists; or (c) from equivalent foreign
institutions.
8.6 Correction of Misinformation. Marriage and family therapists correct, wherever possible, false, misleading, or inaccurate
information and representations made by others concerning the
therapist’s qualifications, services, or products.
8.7 Employee or Supervisee Qualifications. Marriage and
family therapists make certain that the qualifications of their
employees or supervisees are represented in a manner that is
not false, misleading, or deceptive.
8.8 Specialization. Marriage and family therapists do not
represent themselves as providing specialized services unless
they have the appropriate education, training, or supervised
experience.
This Code is published by:
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
112 South Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: (703) 838-9808
Fax: (703) 838-9805
www.aamft.org
Violations of this Code should be submitted in writing to the
attention of:
AAMFT Ethics Committee
112 South Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: (703) 838-9808
E-mail: [email protected]
© 2012 by the AAMFT. All rights reserved. Printed in the
United States of America. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of
the publisher.
Is Your Professional Liability Insurance
as Good as it Can Be?
There are two basic types of professional liability insurance.
One is much better than the other. Which one do you have?
When it comes to professional liability insurance, a practitioner
can buy two basic types. One is called a “claims made” policy.
The other is called an “occurrence” policy. The occurrence
policy is far superior to a “claims made” policy.
Why?
Because with a “claims made” policy, the insurance has to be
in force at the time a claim is filed against you. Most lawsuits
happen some time after a litigious event occurs—potentially
3-5 years after the event. Therefore, if you retire or stop
practicing for any reason, or if you change professional liability
insurance companies at any time, you have to purchase what
is called “tail” coverage. This coverage keeps your insurance
effective after you stop holding that liability insurance policy.
The “tail” premium is usually 2-3 times your average annual
policy; not uncommonly between $600-$800, depending on
how long your policy has been in force.
event. And it is significantly less than almost any purchase of
a tail coverage to convert your current claims made policy
to an occurrence policy when you stop practicing or change
insurers.
So, check out your liability insurance. Make sure you know
what you have bought. When it comes time to renew, if
you have a claims made policy, seriously consider taking
advantage of this offer from CPH, and moving to the AAMFT
endorsed professional liability insurance plan. Remember,
prior Acts/Nose coverage is only available to new CPH and
Associates customers at the time your claims made policy is
expiring and/or up for renewal.
To apply, visit www.cphins.com.
“Occurrence” policies require only that you have had an
active insurance policy at the time the event occurred. So if
you retire, change companies, etc., you are already covered
for any events that occurred while that policy was in force. No
need to purchase anything additional at all.
You can see why occurrence policies are so much better.
CPH and Associates offers an occurrence based professional
liability insurance program for AAMFT members, and a major
reason why AAMFT endorses the CPH program is because
it is occurrence based rather than claims made. And if you
have your professional liability insurance with someone other
than AAMFT and CPH, there is a significant likelihood that you
have a claims made policy rather than an occurrence policy.
AAMFT has learned from members that the cost of the “tail”
coverage for their claims made policy is so expensive that
some have essentially felt trapped and unable to switch to the
CPH occurrence based policy. It is too expensive to consider
moving, even though at some point that expense will become
unavoidable.
We have approached CPH for a solution to this problem, and
they have worked with the underwriter to make this offer to
AAMFT members:
Rather than buying expensive “tail coverage” from your claims
made provider, you can add Prior Acts/”Nose” coverage
for just $175 when you purchase a new professional liability
policy. This coverage will protect you for future claims related
to events occurring back to the retroactive date of your
expiring policy. This is really a cost-effective way to transition
from a less comprehensive liability insurance plan to one
that really has you covered, based on the occurrence of an
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Federal Department of Veterans Affairs Announces Ten Percent
Clinical Mental Health Staffing Increase; Will Include MFTs
On April 19, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
announced it will increase its mental health clinicians by
1,300 full-time equivalents, and that MFTs can be among
the types of practitioners hired under this action. This action
comes in response to widespread reports of inadequate
mental health treatment at VA facilities, and also to AAMFT’s
continued efforts pressing VA to hire more MFTs. A number
of media, including the PBS Newshour, reported on this MFT
action.
VA’s action came six days before an April 25th Senate
Veterans Affairs Committee hearing where VA Inspector
General staff reported that VA’s current statistics far overstate
the timeliness of appointments for veterans presenting with
mental health issues. Problems with delayed appointments
reportedly have led to suicides and other adverse outcomes.
At this hearing, Committee member Sen. Jerry Moran
(R-KS) applauded VA’s decision to hire more MFTs, but
chided VA for taking five and a half years to begin major
implementation of the 2006 law permitting MFT hirings. VA
staff said the locales, timing, and by-profession distribution
of the 1,300 new staff would largely be determined by local
VA units.
All VA jobs are posted at www.usajobs.gov. AAMFT
members may search this site using keywords such as
“marriage and family therapist,” and may couple that with
other keywords such as a specific city or state for a VA facility
of interest. Decisions about the number and salary range of
MFT and other mental health jobs at particular VA facilities
are made by local VA officials, but to date most MFT jobs
have been for staff therapists (rather than supervisors) and
have been posted at a starting salary of “$58,000 or higher,”
plus substantial employer-paid benefits.
Although this is progress by VA, MFTs still face problems.
Some jobs that could be done by MFTs are instead limited
to other professionals such as social workers. Even when jobs
are posted with MFTs eligible, they must hold degrees from
academic programs that were accredited by the Commission
for Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education
(COAMFTE) at the time the degree was granted, thus barring
half of all LMFTs. MFT students may receive VA internships
only if they are in COAMFTE programs, and even then are
ineligible for financial stipends, despite psychology and social
work interns being eligible for such stipends.
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The AAMFT continues to press VA to fix these problems.
Members having documentation of any VA problems are
encouraged to send that to [email protected].
Supreme Court to Decide
Constitutionality of Health Reform Law
From March 26-28, the US Supreme Court heard oral
arguments on four questions about the 2010 Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act:
1) Is the financial penalty on persons who fail to obtain health
insurance actually a tax and thus subject to the 1867 AntiInjunction Act requiring this tax to become effective (in
2014) before it can be legally challenged, thus making the
current cases premature?
2) Is the “individual mandate,” requiring most Americans
to obtain health insurance, allowed under either the
Consititution’s Commerce Clause (allowing Congress
to regulate interstate commerce) or its Necessary and
Proper Clause (allowing Congress to take actions that are
appropriate for legitimate federal activities)?
3) If the “individual mandate” is unconstitutional, what (if any)
other parts of the law must also be stricken?
4) Is the law’s Medicaid expansion, requiring States to add
all uninsured persons with incomes less than 133% of
the federal Poverty Level to their Medicaid programs
or face loss of all current federal Medicaid funds, also
unconstitutional because it coerces States?
While the Court is not expected to rule on these four
questions until late June, there is a widespread view that
the Tax and (probably) Medicaid challenges will not prevail.
Most legal analysts believe there is a good likelihood that
the individual mandate will be ruled unconstitutional by a 5-4
vote, and that at least some of the law’s other provisions (most
likely for “guaranteed issue” insurance with no “pre-existing
condition” exclusions) also will be stricken. It is unclear if this
outcome would be linked to striking the rest of the law.
Sen. Akaka Introduces Bill with
Specific Authority for Mental-Health
Doctoral Minority Fellowships
Since the 1970s, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has operated a
Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) under which mental health
professional associations (now including the AAMFT) award
funding to doctoral students with demonstrated commitments
to clinical or research careers serving communities of color.
However, current federal law does not require SAMHSA to
operate this program, leaving MFP vulnerable to elimination,
as was proposed by then President George W. Bush.
In the current Congress, HR 2954 by Rep. Barbara Lee, MSW
(D-CA) and 79 cosponsors includes a provision that would
require SAMHSA to operate MFP and would authorize its
annual funding at up to $10 million (current MFP funding
is $5.7 million). On April 26, Sens. Akaka (D-HI) and Inouye
(D-HI) introduced S 2474, which is similar to HR 2954. S 2474
includes a provision requiring SAMHSA to operate the MFP,
but does not provide a specific funding level.
As reported in the prior FTM, President Obama has proposed
cutting MFP by 23.5% in the Fiscal Year beginning October.
At a time when communities of color often lack access to
mental health services, this funding cut would be a step in
the wrong direction. Please go to http://capwiz.com/aamft/
issues/alert/?alertid=26266551 and email your Members of
Congress to support HR 2954, S 2474, and adequate funding
for the MFP.
If the entire law were stricken, the effect on MFTs would be to
return the healthcare financing system to its pre-2010 status.
There would be some benefit to MFTs with a high proportion
of self-pay clients because, for example, the income tax
Medical Expenses Deduction threshold would revert back
from 10 percent to the prior 7.5 percent. If only the individual
mandate (and perhaps closely associated provisions) were
stricken, that would reduce MFTs’ future lower-income client
pool, but have little if any effect on current MFT clients.
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DIVISION ADVOCACY
Below are some recent developments concerning MFT state
advocacy for 2012.
COLORADO: On April 2nd,
Governor John Hickenlooper signed a
proclamation proclaiming September
23-29, 2012 as Marriage and Family
Therapy Week in Colorado. Inspired by
the success of the Kentucky Division
in its efforts to have the Governor of
Kentucky proclaim February 23, 2012
as Marriage and Family Therapy Day,
the Colorado Division successfully
advocated for the Marriage and
Family Therapy Week in their state.
Congratulations to the Division on this
important accomplishment.
KENTUCKY: The Governor of Kentucky
has signed a proclamation declaring
February 23 as Marriage and Family
Therapy Day in the state. The last
paragraph of the proclamation reads:
“Marriage and family therapists
evaluate and treat mental and
emotional disorders, other health and
behavioral problems, and address
a wide array of relationship issues
among individuals, couples, families
and groups; and now, therefore, I,
Steven L. Beshear, Governor of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky, do hereby
proclaim February 23, 2012 as Marriage
and Family Therapy Day in Kentucky.”
Congratulations to the Kentucky
division for this accomplishment!
NEBRASKA: The Nebraska Division
was successful in its efforts to make
needed improvements to the licensure
law for MFTs. The Division supported
legislation, Legislative Bill 1148, that
would allow additional MFTs to become
state-approved supervisors if these
MFTs have practiced for five years and
have completed a five-hour approved
supervision course. Additionally, this
legislation replaces an old standard
by requiring MFT applicants to have a
minimum of 100 hours of superviseesupervisor contact hours. This
legislation was signed by the governor
on April 10th. Congratulations to the
Division on this important advocacy
victory for the profession.
PENNSYLVANIA: The Pennsylvania
Division was successful in its yearlong
effort to make some changes to the
MFT licensure law. In February 2011,
House Bill 816 was introduced. This bill
as signed into law by the governor on
March 14, 2012. Among other things,
this new law reduces the number
of hours of supervised experience
for MFT applicants with a master’s
degree from 3,600 hours to 3,000
hours. This change will make MFT
supervised experience requirements
in Pennsylvania more in line with
those in other states. Congratulations
to the Division on this important
accomplishment.
UTAH: The Utah Division was successful
in amending state law in order to clarify
the scope of practice for MFTs. Last
year, the MFT licensure board stated
that it would start restricting the ability
of MFTs to perform neurofeedback
after the end of the 2012 Utah
legislative session. Since some MFTs
are involved in neurofeedback, the
Division immediately started working
on legislation that would clarify the
ability of MFTs to be involved in
neurofeedback to the satisfaction
of the licensure board. The Division
supported legislation, House Bill 294,
that would resolve this problem. Due
to the Division’s advocacy efforts, this
legislation passed the Utah legislature
and was signed by the governor on
March 16th. Congratulations to the
Division on passing this critical piece
of legislation. This legislation preserves
the ability of MFTs to practice in this
area.
The Importance of Women, Education,
and Sexual Health in Our Society
M. Joycelyn Elders, MD
The roles of women have been evolving in our society for a very long time, and
in a positive way. The health and education of any nation is directly related
to the health and education of its women. If we want to decrease poverty and
improve economic status, we’ve got to educate and prepare our women. If we
want improved health as a nation, we’ve got to be sure our women are healthy.
They are the key. If we want to decrease the social and behavioral problems
that are happening in our society, such as drugs, alcohol, smoking, homicide,
etc., women must be involved and included in these challenges. If we want to
improve our quality of life, we need healthy people and healthy communities.
And you can’t get a healthy society without educating.
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Family therapists are obviously
part of this picture, as your focus is
trying to make the family healthier.
Good health is more than absence
of disease. It’s about mental and
emotional health, too. All these
things are very critical to being
healthy. Healthy communities go
hand-in-hand with our involvement
in places of worship, with our
friends, at work. I see family
therapists as being very important
in helping women to take on these
multi-tasking roles, and to realize
that they don’t have to do everything
perfectly, just do things the best they
can, and find a place to fit in. We
don’t have to be completely wiped
out by what the world thinks our
roles should be. We should decide
what we think our role should be.
And try to become happy, content,
and do that as best we can.
Sexual Health Education Chair
at University of Minnesota
The Sexual Health Education Chair
strives to educate not only doctors,
but all healthcare professionals—
nurses, therapists, spiritual advisors,
etc. —because too many of us don’t
understand how to talk with families
and young people about sexual
health. The reason we doctors don’t
do a better job talking about sexual
health is because we don’t know how;
nobody ever really taught us. We’ve
been a sexually illiterate society and
we wonder why we have all these
consequences of dysfunctional sexual
health. We tell our young boys to
go out and “score,” and tell our
young girls to remain virgins. Well,
I wonder who these boys are going
to score with?! But we’ve got to teach
them both how to be responsible.
We’re sexual beings from birth until
death, and we’ve got to teach our
society how to accept that and not
spend all of our energy fighting over
trying to stop young people from
being sexually active. Their hormones
are raging, meanwhile they are
being taught abstinence and just say
no. But overall, we ought to teach
responsibility. We want to decrease
the consequences of young people
being involved sexually when they
aren’t yet ready. Things like teenage
pregnancy, HIV disease, sexually
transmitted disease. So, we want to
markedly decrease the consequences
of sexual activity and not necessarily
just sex. We know that if you’re
abstinent, you won’t have to worry
about these things, but at the same
time, our bodies and minds and
everything else are telling us to go
out and be sexual. Sex is not just for
procreation. We have to consider
the three Ps of sexuality, which are
Procreation, Protection and Pleasure.
We’ve completely wiped out the
Pleasure Principle.
Message for Family Therapists
It is my desire that all professionals
understand that sexual health and
well being is very important and very
critical. We want all people to lead
a sexually healthy life, rather than
suffer with sexual dysfunction. This
starts early, and we have to use all
available resources out there to keep
society and our young people safe
and healthy. We realize that condoms
will break. But always remember that
the vows of abstinence break far more
easily than latex condoms. We’ve got
a head-on collision with our culture
and the realities of what’s really
going on. This nation has never been
abstinent. But we want everyone
to be responsible. So we need to
be honest, make sure everyone is
educated and empowered, and
responsible. n
Dr. M. Joycelyn Elders, was the 15th US Surgeon General
and first African-American woman to hold that post. She is
now a distinguished professor of public health at the University
of Arkansas School of Public Health and a distinguished
professor at the Clinton School of Public Policy. Her current
projects include working with the University of Minnesota
Medical School to advance comprehensive science-based
sexual health information and training for allied healthcare
providers through the Joycelyn Elders Chair in Sexual Health
Education. Dr. Elders will be a plenary speaker at the AAMFT’s
2012 Annual Conference.
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Helping Our Older Clients
with Sexual Issues
(It’s Not How Often You Do it—
It’s How Good You Feel)
Gina Ogden, PhD
A remarkable statistic moved me to explore the complexities of love, sex,
and growing older. It was from a national survey I conducted in the late 1990s to investigate sexuality and spirituality—with 3,810 respondents, who ranged from age eighteen to
age eighty-six. The numbers revealed that their levels of sexual satisfaction increased with
every decade. Most of the fifty-, sixty-, and seventy-year-olds reported having a better time
than the twenty- and thirty-year-olds.
What was happening here? Conventional measures say that sexual interest and activity start
plunging downhill by the time we reach midlife. Had I tapped into a hotbed of sex-crazed
Boomers? Or had I discovered a new national trend? When I mined the narrative survey
data I found something else—a truth so simple it was profound. These respondents were
reporting that sexual satisfaction increased as they grew older because their experiences were
becoming more and more deeply meaningful.
They wrote about outgrowing the dysfunctions and constraints caused by “good-girls-don’t”
and “real-men-score” messages. They discussed moving beyond fear of pleasure and intimacy
caused by childhood traumas. They described extraordinary richness in their present sexual
relationships as they explored (and sometimes stumbled into) realms of appreciation, passion,
and connection. Astonishingly, more than half the respondents over age sixty reported that
they had experienced God in a moment of sexual ecstasy—twice as many as the respondents
under age thirty.
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The flood of responses about
connecting sex and spirit felt like a
portal into the mysteries of sexual
satisfaction as we grow older. I was
suddenly privy to long-kept secrets,
for feelings, meanings, and spiritual
yearnings are always there, but they
fly under the radar of sexual science.
They also fly under the radar of
our youth-centered culture, whose
yardstick of sexual success measures
only how long we can keep acting as
randy as teenagers.
clients want in sexual relationships,
it makes sense to ask new questions;
to include spiritual issues, such as
connection and meaning, richness
and mystery, ecstasy, hope, love, even
divinity. What Does This Mean for MFTs?
The unwritten rulebook says only
trained sex therapists are competent
to discuss sex with clients. While
I totally encourage every marriage
and family therapist to take sex
therapy courses and supervision
and go all the way to sex therapy
certification, I also believe we can
do a great service for older clients
even without specialized training.
Most sexual changes of growing older
are part of normal development,
not pathology or dysfunction. Just
opening conversation about sex can
be an enormous relief for clients,
especially for older clients who fear
change might indicate something’s
terribly wrong.
It’s a sobering fact that most of our
information about sexual response
during menopause/andropause and
beyond (and at any age, actually)
is limited to sexual performance—
that is, frequencies of intercourse
and orgasm, numbers of partners,
and other indicators that are easy
to quantify. Questions about sexual
performance are what drive the latest
brain research, along with lockerroom jokes, pharmaceutical ads, and
routine queries by our physicians.
And questions about performance
are the basis of hundreds of surveys
that shape our national conversation
about sex.
Beyond the sex field, research
consistently shows that human beings
become more spiritual with age,
even as we allegedly grow less hot
for sex. So, if therapists are going to
address the full range of what older
Once we make sex okay as a topic,
we can challenge messages that tell
us sex is over once men have erectile
problems or once women outlive
their reproductive years. We can
show curiosity about the variety of
ways older clients develop sexual selfesteem and erotic interest. How does
a 73-year-old, raped as a teenager,
transform her fear into openhearted
caring for her spouse? How does a
66-year-old couple feel sensuous
when their bodies don’t function the
way they used to? How do they deal
with changes in desire, creaky joints,
spreading waistlines, graying hair?
Or the notion that what used to be a
“quickie” now takes 45 minutes?
Even without training, we can
support our clients in researching the
nitty gritty of love, sex, and growing
older. What books might be helpful?
What lubrications work best? What
sex toys might promote the most
pleasure—with or without a partner?
We can honor the richness or
angst our older clients find in their
intimate relationships—with longtime partners, or with a series of
intimate others. We can affirm the
details and nuances of their sexual
choices—the connections, the
mysteries, and yes, the divinity. We
can reframe “aging” as “growing
older”—to emphasize the process
of change as expansion rather than
constriction or an exit strategy.
Above all, we can encourage older
clients to understand that the most
rewarding experiences of love, sex,
and life may not all lie behind
them. Whatever their past sexual
experiences may have been, the best
may be yet to come. Why not now,
or soon? n
Gina Ogden, PhD, LMFT, trains and supervises sex therapists
internationally. Her latest books are Women Who Love Sex,
The Heart and Soul of Sex, and The Return of Desire. Ogden
is a Clinical Fellow of the AAMFT and will be a plenary session
speaker at the 2012 AAMFT Annual Conference. For more
information, visit www.GinaOgden.com.
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What’s Going
on with Our
Little Girls?
Peggy Orenstein
The Girlie Girl Culture
Until you’re a parent and have a little girl, you are probably oblivious to the
culture surrounding the lives of little girls. When you have a daughter, you want
her to do anything and be anything, and not face any limits. You expect that
she’ll not have to do anything because she’s a girl; or be unable to do something
because she’s a girl.
As my daughter started preschool, I noticed one day that she had memorized
all the names of the Disney princesses and their gown colors. I began to notice
in our hometown of Berkeley, California, that every little girl was covered from
head to toe in pink and they were all dressing the part of a princess and wanted
to be addressed as Snow White. I became curious. Was this a positive, postfeminist celebration, or perhaps regression? I wasn’t really sure what it meant.
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I began a journey, in terms of
research, but also a personal journey
to see what this new culture is and
if there were any dots to connect
between this commercialized
princess play (which I’ve termed
“princess industrial complex”) and
diva behavior, or what I call the
“Kardashianization of girls.” I was
also interested in how girls present
themselves on Facebook, and what
all of this means in terms of their
definition of their femininity,
identity and their vulnerability to
the issues that concern parents and
mental health professionals, like
low self esteem, depression, eating
disorders, negative body image,
poor sexual choices, and how all
this fits in.
Images in the Media
There was a brief moment in the
1990s when we had a girl power
movement (recall riot girls) but that
got corrupted by commercial culture
and turned into “the power to shop.”
But there are some female images
emerging right now that are reflective
of the “warrior woman.” We have
Katniss Everdeen, the strong female
lead in the Hunger Games, and other
characters like Alice in Tim Burton’s
Alice in Wonderland, and a new
version of Snow White that casts the
main character as a warrior type. So,
we have some models for a strong
female character, and if this model is
successful, I would imagine there will
be more of them; though, it’s hard
to know how things will develop.
Over time, we’ve seen this kind of
“stop-start” pattern with female
power, but that’s been offset by the
increasing image consciousness that
our culture has, because our media
is so visual and cosmetic surgery is
becoming more and more common.
This ramps up the expectation and
the imperative to be “hot” even if
you’re a warrior, a politician or who
ever you are. No matter what new
terrain we occupy as women, we need
to drag the old progress with us and
keep ratcheting it up a notch.
There’s
never been
a better
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your claims
made policy
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Social Media
Social media both enhances and
undermines intimacy, and it can
do this simultaneously. I think that
can be really confusing for a young
person. For girls in particular, it can
fulfill their almost insatiable need
for connection and relationship,
feeling reassured that they’re in the
popularity mix or friendship mix,
yet at the same time, it allows them
to keep obsessive tabs on what
others are doing. You know if your
two good friends went to the mall
without you. And you know when
you don’t get invited to an event,
when you wouldn’t normally find
out that kind of information without
access to social media. Girls policing
other girls’ behavior is nothing new,
but now there is no escape from the
constant monitoring. Before social
media, you could go home after
school, go in your room and close
the door and you got away from
things for a while. Now, there is
very little space or refuge for young
people, when they’re not connected
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and hearing every little rumor and
constantly texting. Identity now has
become a performance. Kids, more
and more, are defining themselves
externally and sculpting their
identity in terms of the feedback
they get online. There’s always been
a certain amount of that in the
peer relationship, but this is more
intense, it’s more superficial, and it’s
instantaneous. We don’t know yet
how this giant social experiment will
affect kids long term in regard to
their sense of self, empathy, identity,
masculinity, or femininity. All these
things are now up for grabs.
I don’t mean to demonize the
Internet or social media. It does
provide a way to get information and
find like-minded people, whether
your interest is intellectual, social,
or other. Perhaps a gay kid lives in a
town without another gay person and
needs to find a way to socialize with
a similar peer; the Internet and social
media can be a helpful resource, like
alternative universes for kids so they
can explore things in a healthy way.
The other piece to this is that the
age groups are skewing younger
and younger all the time. Facebook
requires an age of 13, but some
parents lie for their children and
many now regularly use Facebook at
age 10. This speeds up the process
of creating these identities vis-àvis peers and who those peers are.
If you’re online and you have 622
BFFs, compare that to maybe 30
people you’d be encountering in
real life to sort of try yourself out
and create your identity. Online, it’s
really a gallery of strangers watching
you. If you’re on Facebook as an
adult, you can step back and realize
you are acting out a character; you
can perhaps feel yourself thinking
during the day, Oh, that would
make an interesting Tweet. So, it’s
really changing all of us and how
we consider ourselves and present
ourselves. This is certainly something
that advocates, therapists, educators
and others will need to take note of
and watch.
How Can Mental Health
Professionals Help Make These
Changes More Healthy?
Part of the goal is to make people
more self-aware and understand
their behaviors and patterns. Give
people tools to make the healthiest
choices possible in every situation.
If social media is indeed a source of
identity creation, it’s something that
mental health professionals need to
be thinking about in terms of how
they’re guiding and talking to young
clients and families about identity
and more directly the images that
boys and girls see in the media of
females and the very narrow ideas
that are encouraging them to define
themselves through an impossibly
narrow lens. That affects girls’ mental
health very directly. We’ve seen the
studies on the sexualization of girls
and we know that the current culture
makes them vulnerable and puts
them at risk regarding body issues,
eating disorders, depression, sexual
choices, etc. It becomes incumbent
upon therapists to understand the
culture, the impact of the culture
and to understand how to help their
young clients and their families
broaden their ideas of what it
means to be a girl, to understand
what is being told to them about
being a girl, to grow up in a female
body, and help them learn to ask
the questions that will give them a
better understanding so they can
make truer, freer choices about their
feminine identity. n
Peggy Orenstein is an award-winning American science writer
and author of the NYT best-seller Cinderella Ate My Daughter:
Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture.
Orenstein will be a plenary speaker at the AAMFT 2012 Annual
Conference covering the topic of this article.
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Where
Has All
the Gender
Gone?
Mary M. Gergen, PhD
One afternoon, my class on feminist theory was discussing gender and romantic love.
In this small group of eight students, it surprised me that two of them, a young man and
a young woman, each said that a person’s gender was not all that important to them; what
really counted was the quality of their relationship. Their viewpoint struck me as fairly
unusual, given that in the long history of romantic love, gender was extremely important.
I began to wonder: What was becoming of gender if it was irrelevant to something so
important as love?
Gender as a Social Construction
Historically, gender has been regarded as a highly significant and stable component of social
life. Gender differences have marked virtually every form of activity, from clothing styles
and eating habits, to patterns of relating. In terms of personality, women have been regarded
as more nurturing and emotional than men, while men were seen as more assertive and
rational. There are also traditional roles assigned to the genders, with motherhood being
the central activity of women, and bread-winning the chief responsibility of the man. It
is in this context that developmental psychologists have posited that, over the course of
childhood, critical events occur that determine gender, with puberty the stage at which the
most dramatic differentiations between girls and boys take place. Many theories also suggest
that these shifts reflect hormonal and brain activity. While socialization is important, it is
said, the biological substratum sets the stage.
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In the past several decades, I have been struck by what
might be characterized as the demise of gender. It was
not only that the once bitter battles fought over gender
distinctions were no longer so engaging—rather, the very
category seemed to be losing its significance. I wonder, are
we stepping over our historical shadows? Is gender fading
away as a significant social category in our lives? The Cultural Reconstruction of Gender
As someone who has been positioned, academically,
at the crossroads of social constructionist and feminist
theory, the question of gender is highly relevant. From
a constructionist perspective, all linguistic categories are
the co-creations of people within social groups, and are
always open to questions concerning their meaning, their
effects, and their legitimacy. And for feminists, there
is general agreement that gender is a social category,
and the behaviors associated with gender distinctions
are culturally fashioned. In effect, scholarly work has
prepared the way for changes in the concept of gender
and its practices. And indeed, such changes are notable.
A variety of factors have contributed to a diminishment
of gender differences and shifts in social norms. Briefly,
I would regard the most significant changes as the
social and legal support for feminist ideas, greater access
to family planning resources, new artistic, musical
and dramatic forms that provide more androgynous
models of successful people, flourishing social media
and Internet access that enlarges potential sources
of validation for “contingent gender” identities, and
changing sexual norms; each of these has challenged
gender differentiations, especially with regard to girls
and women. I would argue that new amalgams have
been created that have narrowed the distinction between
women and men. The shift of fatherhood from a distant,
authoritarian paternalism to a nurturing and care-giving
“maternalism,” for example, illustrates the way that men
have been closing the parenting gap. I would argue,
however, that the major transitions have been made
by women who are leveling the playing field, and are
reworking the male terrain, combining virtues formerly
associated with women with those accorded men. As the
distinctions between genders have become more subtle,
their importance in terms of attraction, sexual interest,
and partnering has become blurred, as well. The popular
expression, LUG, that is, Lesbian Until Graduation,
suggests a willingness of young women to experiment
with female lovers, with the knowledge that they may
well prefer to choose a man as a relational partner in
the future.
The trend that I see in terms of gender bending, or
blending, as the case may be, is especially prominent
among the more well-educated and less religious segments
of society. Women who are following the “American
Dream” to high positions in the economy are leading
these changes. They are creating a new model for being
a woman, one that may be especially adapted to the
social and economic conditions of the times. It is now
becoming commonplace to find women as the presidents
of prestigious universities, such as Harvard, Princeton,
Brown, and the University of Pennsylvania, as well as
of huge corporations, such as IBM, not to mention
heads of non-profit organizations, and as independent
professionals in law and healthcare. Notions of what a
good leader is has been shifted from an authoritarian,
top-down model, adapted from the military, to one
that is more relational, cooperative and collegial, more
in keeping with feminine virtues. This shift has been
powered by the entry of women into previously
forbidden fields.
Resistance and Retaliation There has been resistance and retaliation from various
groups who recognize the transformation of women’s
roles in the world. Religious groups, in particular, have
been threatened by this shift. For example, in April, 2012,
the Vatican sanctioned the organization of American
nuns, to which 80 percent of them belong, for seriously
undermining church dogma; for emphasizing issues of
poverty, questioning the women’s role in the church,
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supporting the national healthcare
bill, and for not being sufficiently
vocal against gay marriage and “right
to life” issues. Other conservative
religious groups, including many
“evangelical” churches, have also
been active in emphasizing gender
distinctions. Among many regions
in Africa, the Middle East, and
Asia, strict differentiations between
men and women are enforced.
In Afghanistan, for example, the
fragile gains made by women in the
past decade are endangered by the
Taliban, who believe women should
be restricted to their homes and
forbidden education. Globally, the
plight of women who are aware of
the changing gender roles in western
nations is complex and distressing.
Yet, I believe changes in gender
relations are destined to be altered
over time, in these regions as well.
Therapeutic Challenges These major shifts in cultural life
confront therapists with a range of
difficult challenges. At the outset,
where gender identity could once
anchor one’s sense of self and
provide a road map for the future,
the meaning of gender is now both
clouded and contested. What is
it now to be a woman or a man?
And within families, the confusion
over gender roles may bring about
tensions and disappointments. What
are the rights and duties of each
person in the family in terms of
their supposed gender roles? What
constitutes a violation? Further, there
will be intergenerational differences
in understanding what it means to
be a girl or boy. Teenagers may defy
expectations, play at gender bending,
decide to “come out,” or fantasize a
change of sex. How should a family
deal with such issues? How are the
conflicts to be resolved?
And, what does the therapist bring
to the scene? Who is she or he? What
emotional responses, in terms of
gender traditions and values, does
the therapist hold? How do they
become influential in terms of a
therapeutic conversation? And if
one has ambivalences—which will
surely be the case for many—how
should these be manifested in the
therapeutic process? Family therapy
is not only a receptacle for the
problems created by cultures on the
move, but its posture and practices
have a shaping effect on the future.
Clearly, deliberation on these issues is
essential.
Mary Gergen, PhD, is
professor emerita of psychology
and women’s studies at Penn
State University, Brandywine,
and a founder of the Taos
Institute. She will be a plenary
speaker at the 2012 AAMFT
Annual Conference.
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WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE MENTAL HEALTH:
The Myth of
Maternal Bliss
Diana Lynn Barnes, PsyD
A woman’s experience of motherhood is shaped by the social and cultural
context within which she lives. Western ideology promotes the romantic idea
that pregnancy and new motherhood are the happiest events in a woman’s life
and a time of ultimate fulfillment for her and her partner as they welcome a
child into their lives.
Women, and even men, may believe that a good mother
operates on instinct alone, without the need for any outside
knowledge or support, or that a woman’s relationship
with her baby should be automatic and intense (Barnes,
2005). Women often internalize societal archetypes about
the “good mother”—one who is limitlessly available and
loving, self-sacrificing, and consistently able to manage the
overwhelming demands of caring for an infant, without
ever having to ask for help. Because cultural beliefs also
imply that fulfilling her reproductive role is necessary
in order for a woman to feel emotionally complete, any
differing ideas she may have about the responsibilities
and obligations imposed by motherhood often cause
psychological distress. These motherhood myths set up
expectations in the minds of women that are ultimately
impossible to fulfill (Barnes, 2006). In the weeks following
childbirth, as new mothers come face to face with the
shocking contrast between what they have been told and
how the early months following childbirth really feel,
shame and fear often keep women from giving voice to the
truth of their unique experience.
Motherhood, particularly during the first year
postpartum, involves a physical, emotional and
psychological metamorphosis. The startling awareness
that her identity is changing often leaves a woman
feeling as though she is teetering between two completely
different worlds—her previous world without a child
and her current world with a newborn. The transition
between these two realms involves a dramatic change in
her self-perception, and at the same time, necessitates
a shift in her priorities, responsibilities, values and
relationships with others. It is not uncommon for new
mothers to grieve for the “other life,” they left behind as
they move into this very different life with their babies
(Barnes & Balber, 2007). How each woman reacts to
these extraordinary changes in her life is affected by
any number of factors, including the circumstances
surrounding her pregnancy, her own psychological
history, her current relationships, her wish to become a
mother and what she believes society expects from her in
this role.
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The reproductive years are a time
of tremendous emotional and
psychological vulnerability for most
women. In fact, studies indicate that
there are more psychiatric admissions
around the child-bearing years than
at any other time in the female life
cycle (Cox, Murray & Chapman,
1993; O’Hara & Stuart, 1999). The
prevalence of depression postpartum
is estimated to fall between 5 and 25
percent (Beck, 2001; Leahy-Warren
& McCarthy, 2007). Even during
pregnancy, which was once thought
to be protective against depression
and essentially a time of emotional
well-being, 10 percent of women
experience depressive symptoms and
9 to 18 percent meet the criteria for
clinical depression (Born, Zinga &
Phillips, 2006; Misri, 2005).
The idealization of motherhood
plays an influential role in the quality
of a woman’s mental health during
the perinatal period. Ultimately,
cultural myths about how women
should feel and how they should
behave not only interfere with a more
emotionally comfortable transition
to motherhood, but too often stand
in the way of proper recognition
and diagnosis of perinatal mood and
anxiety disorders.
Although a new mother may be
understandably exhausted, frustrated
or even saddened by all of the
unexpected changes caused by the
birth of her child, she may refrain
from talking about her experience for
fear of being shunned. If she becomes
overwhelmed by changing routines
and responsibilities, or resentful
because she can’t take a shower or get
out of her house, she may dismiss
her own feelings and even reprimand
herself for feeling as she does. As
her expectations clash with reality,
it often leads to a downward spiral
of disappointment, discouragement,
self-loathing and depression. The
mother who is experiencing negative
feelings is often more likely to ask
herself, “What is the problem with
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me that I feel this way? If this is
supposed to be the happiest time
in my life, then there must be
something wrong with me.”
There is a psychological gestation
that accompanies the physiological
gestation of pregnancy (Barnes
& Balber, 2007). The capacity to
identify with her anticipated role
as a mother is a psychologically
dynamic process that involves several
developmental tasks (Lederman,
1996). Achieving a sense of maternal
identity requires her to picture herself
in the relationship with her infant as
he or she grows, to think about the
characteristics that she believes are
important for mothers to have, and
to be able to look ahead to the many
ways in which her life will change.
To a large extent, a woman’s ability to
fully embrace her maternal identity
is rooted in her earliest attachment
experiences and her remembrances
of herself as daughter to her mother
(Barnes, 2005). These earliest
memories of her own mother’s
demeanor and sensitivity create
the template for her internalized
representations of “the good mother,”
and the eventual meanings she
ascribes to motherhood upon giving
birth to her own children (Menken,
2008). Did she feel loved, mothered
and nurtured by her own mother?
Or did she feel as though she was a
bother or a burden?
Those women who have had
disruptions in their early attachment
relationships with their own mothers
often become psychologically
disorganized in response to the stress
of motherhood. This breakdown in
their developing sense of maternal
identity also leaves women more
vulnerable to the onset of depression
and anxiety during their pregnancies
and into the postpartum period. An
integral part of a woman’s developing
sense of maternal identity is her
ability to weave together the pieces
of her relational story as daughter to
her mother. As she begins to create
a more cohesive narrative about
her earliest attachment experience,
she will also find her own voice as
a new mother. Research suggests
a correlation between a woman’s
positive experience of being
mothered in childhood, a positive
acceptance of her pregnancy and
feelings of self-confidence in the
maternal role (Lederman, 1996).
Dispelling the myths surrounding
motherhood is an important goal of
treatment. Pregnancy is an ideal time
to explore a woman’s discourse about
the relationship with her own mother
and to address any concerns she
might have about that emotional tie
and its relevance to her evolving sense
of maternal identity. The therapist
provides “the empathic holding
environment,” that Winnicott has
spoken so elegantly about (1993)
with the goal of creating a different
kind of attachment experience in
which a woman can begin to feel safe
and secure. The therapist’s capacity
to remain authentically attuned to
the subjective experience of a new
mother helps her begin to identify
her own emotional needs and to
construct meanings of motherhood
that may be very different from the
stored recollections and memories
of her mother’s relationship with her
(Barnes, 2010). n
Diana Lynn Barnes,
PsyD, LMFT, is
an internationally
recognized expert
on the assessment
and treatment
of maternal
depression. A past president of
Postpartum Support International,
she currently sits on the President’s
Advisory Council for that organization.
She is also on the training faculty of
the Los Angeles County Perinatal
Mental Health Task Force as well as the
statewide California Maternal Mental
Health Collaborative. Dr. Barnes is a
Clinical Fellow of the AAMFT and will
be presenting on women’s reproductive
mental health at the 2012 AAMFT
Annual Conference.
References
Barnes, D. L. (2010). Understanding
attachment theory. Behavioral health series.
Brockton, Mass: Western Schools.
Barnes, D. L. (2006). Postpartum
depression: Its impact on couples and
marital satisfaction. The Journal of Systemic
Therapies, 25(3), 25-42.
Barnes, D. L. (2005). A closer look:
Understanding postpartum depression.
Clinical Updates for Marriage and Family
Therapists. Alexandria, VA: American
Association of Marriage and Family
Therapists.
Barnes, D. L., & Balber, L. G. (2007). The
journey to parenthood: Myths, reality
and what really matters. Oxford: Radcliffe
Publishing.
Beck, C. T. (2001). Predictors of postpartum
depression: An update. Nursing Research,
50(5), 275-285.
Born, L., Zinga, D., & Phillips, S.D. (2006).
Update on the treatment of depression
during pregnancy. Therapy, 3, 153-161.
Choi, P., Henshaw, C., Baker, S., &
Tree, J. (2005). Supermum, superwife,
supereverything: Performing femininity in
the transition to motherhood. Journal of
Infant and Reproductive Psychology, 23(2),
167-180.
Cox, J. L., Murray, D., & Chapman, G.
(1993). A controlled study of the onset,
duration, & prevalence of postpartum
depression. British Journal of Psychiatry,
163, 27-31
Lederman, R. P. (1996). Psychosocial
adaptation in pregnancy: Assessment of
seven dimensions of maternal development
(2nd ed). New York: Springer Publishing
Company
Menken, A. E. (2008). A psychodynamic
approach to treatment for postpartum
depression. In S. D. Stone & A. E. Menken
(Eds.), Perinatal and postpartum mood
disorders: Perspectives and treatment guide
for the health care practitioner. New York:
Springer Publishing Company
Misri, S. K. (2005). Pregnancy blues:
What every woman needs to know about
depression during pregnancy. New York:
Delacorte Press.
O’Hara, M. W., & Stuart, S. (1999).
Pregnancy and postpartum. In R.G.
Robinson & W.R. Yates (Eds.), Psychiatric
Treatment of the Medically Ill (253-277).
New York: Marcel Dekker.
Winnicott, D. W. (1993). Talking to parents.
Cambridge, MA: Addison-Wesley
Leahy-Warren, P., & McCarthy, G. (2007).
Postnatal depression: Prevalence, mothers’
perspectives, and treatment. Archives of
Psychiatric Nursing, 21, 91-100.
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What Does it Mean to “Come Out,”
and Why is it Even Necessary?
JACQUELINE HUDAK, PHD
The “coming out” or “telling” about one’s sexual
orientation is made necessary by the presumption of
heterosexuality—also known as heteronormativity.
Coming out has historically been situated within the
psychological literature as an individual process that
consists of linear stages of coming to terms with and
then disclosing one’s non-normative sexual orientation.
The heteronormative presumption that everyone is
heterosexual unless proven otherwise is best expressed
by the concept of “the closet,” a metaphor for keeping
one’s sexual orientation or relationship to someone
of non-normative orientation a secret. Eve Sedgwick
(1990) called the closet, “the defining structure for gay
oppression in this century” (p. 71). Kenji Yoshino (2006)
described it beautifully: “It was impossible to come out
and be done with it, as each new person erected a new
closet around me” (p. 16-17). Notice that implicit in
these descriptions and in the term itself, is relationship:
to whom is one coming out?
Because heterosexuality is viewed as “normal” and
“healthy” and the preferred and presumed mode of
relating for individuals, couples, and families, a category
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THORANA NELSON, PHD
of “other” is created, in which people are rendered invalid,
invisible, deviant, abnormal, or pathological. Thus, the
words marriage and family, the very nomenclature of our
profession, are infused with meaning that excludes an
entire population of people when they are presumptively
defined as heterosexual or related to only as heterosexual
people.
These heteronormative concepts are so embedded in
theory and practice that it remains a challenge to our field
to provide alternative narratives that expand our current
definitions of marriage and family. Thus, we consider
these questions: Who gets to define what is a marriage or
a family? Where are the lines drawn, and who is included
or excluded?
Each author has a personal narrative about the experience
of coming out within the family and community.
Jacqueline transitioned in midlife from heterosexuality
to partnering with a woman. This process took place
after 13 years in a heterosexual marriage, and with two
children, ages 8 and 12. What happens when your life
story veers outside the bounds of the dominant narratives
available in our cultural discourses about identity and
sexual orientation? How does that process expose the
limitations of existing theories about relationships and
family life and the meaning and importance of language?
For example, after telling friends and acquaintances that
I (JH) was partnered with a woman, one of the most
frequently asked questions was, “Did you always know?”
The assumption inherent in this question is that I had
always been a lesbian, and either denied or repressed it.
The question had further implications in that if I were
“truly” a lesbian all this time, my heterosexual marriage
must have been a sham. This storyline was inaccurate
and hurtful, and the harbinger of my experience of being
in the world at that time: feeling unchanged as a person,
particularly as a mother, yet perceived so very differently
now that I was partnered with a woman. Among so
many other changes, I had lost the comfort and privileges
associated with my status as a heterosexual woman.
Thorana is the mother of a lesbian daughter who dated
boys in high school and exhibited medical and emotional
symptoms that she attributed to allergies and early
trauma. Similar questions frame her narrative: Why didn’t
I know sooner so that I could be more helpful to her
when she was troubled? What was it like for my daughter,
thinking I knew about her sense of herself? How did this
affect other family relationships, including those with my
husband, son, siblings, and their families? What does my
coming out mean as the parent of a lesbian mean?
For example, I felt quite compelled to discuss my own
changes in identity in relation to my daughter and her
partner, as well as my own family. I felt strongly that
her coming out process was personal and was hers, and
that my coming out should be sensitive to that. I felt
very fortunate that we could talk about this. I also felt
uncertain in terms of how I should refer to her partner
(girlfriend, daughter-in-law, beau fille?). I worried about
coming out to my conservative siblings and was gratified
when they seemed so accepting. As with Jackie, I was
uncomfortable with my ambiguous status.
Jacqueline Hudak, MEd, PhD, LMFT,
is an adjunct faculty member in the
Couple and Family Therapy Programs
at Drexel University, and is in private
practice in New Jersey. She is a former
faculty member of the Multicultural
Family Institute of New Jersey, an AAMFT
Approved Supervisor, a board member of The American
Family Therapy Academy, and a member of The Council for
Contemporary Families. Hudak’s clinical work has focused
on issues of power, diversity, gender, addiction and domestic
violence. More recently, her research and publications have
focused on heteronormativity in couple and family therapy;
she runs groups and workshops for women to help navigate
the transition from heterosexuality in midlife.
Thorana Nelson is professor emerita at
Utah State University, where she served
as MFT program director and then as
core faculty for 18 years. She is a Clinical
Fellow and Approved Supervisor of the
AAMFT, author and coauthor of many
books and publications, and she has
presented in the US and abroad on various topics. Nelson
is presenting on the topic of this article at the 2012 AAMFT
Annual Conference.
References
Sedgwick, E. K. (1990). Epistemology of the closet. Berkeley CA:
University of University Press.
Yoshino, K. (2006). Covering: The hidden assault on our civil rights.
New York: Random House.
We consider themes of language, power, and definition:
Who gets to define what is a marriage or a family? Where
are the lines drawn, who is included or excluded? In our
work, we hope to create a conversation that begins to
expand our current heteronormative definitions beyond
the binary of gay/straight. How can we instill the capacity
to question the quality of relationship before the gender
of the partner, and come to view variability as the norm?
These are large questions before us as a field; perhaps
we can grapple with them by turning inward to our
own personal experiences as family members. These two
mothers offer just one way we might proceed. n
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YOU+ME+ED=
A Threesome:
COUPLES AND EATING DISORDERS
KELLI YOUNG, MED
GINA DIMITROPOULOS, PHD
Eating disorders (EDs) are mental illnesses that result in
significant medical and psychosocial consequences. These
illnesses are associated with high rates of self-injurious behaviors,
suicide, mortality and morbidity (Rosling, Sparen, Norring, &
von Knorring, 2011; Peebles, Wilson, & Lock, 2011). The DSMIV divides the eating disorders into two specific diagnoses: Anorexia
Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa (American Psychiatric Association
[APA], 1994). Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is characterized by severely
restricted eating patterns, disturbed body image, and refusal
to maintain a “minimally normal” body weight (APA, 1994).
Characteristics of Bulimia Nervosa (BN) include, body image
dissatisfaction and distortion; repeated episodes of bingeing; and
compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting; fasting;
misuse of laxative, diuretics, diet pills, or other medications; or
excessive exercise (APA, 1994). These disorders are primarily found
in females, with an approximate ratio of 10 females to 1 male
(ANRED, 2004; Garfinkel & Garner, 1982).
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In contrast to the wealth of empirical research on familybased therapies for adolescents with eating disorders
(Lock & Le Grange, 2001; Lock, Le Grange, Agras,
Moye, Bryson, & Jo, 2010), there is relatively little
literature pertaining to families of adults with EDs, and
a striking paucity of studies focusing on intimate couple
relationships. This dearth of couple literature related
to eating disorders is particularly concerning given that
a significant number of women with eating disorders
are in long-term couple relationships (Bussolotti,
Fernandex-Aranda, Solano, Jimenez-Murcia, Turon, &
Vallejo, 2002; Woodside, Shekter-Wolfson, Brandes, &
Lackstom, 1993).
The authors of this article have a combined total of over
35 years of experience working with clients with eating
disorders and their partners. We have observed, clinically,
that there is a link between the quality of the couple
relationship and the clients’ severity of symptoms, as well
as their response to treatment for eating disorders. The
literature pertaining to affective disorders suggests that
there is indeed a connection between marital quality and
symptomatology. Beach and Whisman (2012) reviewed
the outcome literature on depression published since
2003, and they concluded that “results suggest that
marital quality and depressive symptoms influence one
another in a reciprocal, bidirectional manner” (p. 203).
It seems reasonable to infer that the same might be true
for couples affected by EDs; however, there are very few
empirical studies in the eating disorders literature to
support this assertion. An innovative study is currently
underway by a group in North Carolina to devise and
evaluate a couple therapy approach for working with
clients with anorexia nervosa and their partners (Bulik,
Baucom, Kirby, & Pisetsky, 2010). With the exception of
the work of this group, to date there exists no evidencebased couple therapy approaches for this population.
Interpersonal Communication and Attachment
The literature demonstrates that people with EDs have
significant interpersonal difficulties and problems with
attachment (Carter et al., 2012; Dimitropoulos et al.,
2007; Hartmann, Zeeck, & Barrett, 2010). The research
consistently shows that individuals with EDs exhibit
passive, submissive, and conflict-avoidant styles of
interacting in their various relationships. As such, it is
not surprising that in our clinical practice, we often note
that communication difficulties permeate every aspect of
intimate relationships. In their review of the literature on
couples and eating disorders, Dimitropoulos et al. (2007)
addressed the question of whether couples affected by
eating disorders (i.e., one member of the couple has
an ED) exhibit specific communication problems that
may impact on their relationship and the ED. Their
review suggested that “ED couples appear to edit
negative communication while failing to provide positive
messages, resulting in rather neutral, but unfulfilling
interactions” (Dimitropoulos et al., p. 20).
In addition to the interpersonal difficulties noted above,
those with eating disorders also tend to exhibit insecure
and avoidant attachment styles. A study by Evans and
Wertheim (2005) set out to compare attachment styles
in adult intimate relationships. In this study, attachment
styles of women with symptoms of EDs were compared
to attachment styles of women with depression, and
women with no clinical symptoms. These researchers
asserted that the anxious and avoidant attachment styles
found in women with eating problems result in hypervigilance, fears about rejection and abandonment, and
avoidance of closeness in relationships. Overall, they
found that women with eating disorders had insecure
attachment and negative feelings toward their partners;
whereas women in the control group had secure
attachment and positive feelings toward their partners.
The researchers concluded that relationship functioning
should be a consideration in treatment.
Sexuality and Intimacy
It has long been recognized by couple therapists that
sexual dysfunction can have a devastating impact on
intimate couple relationships. Sexual impairment in
one partner can have damaging ramifications not only
for that partner, but also for the other partner and the
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23
couple as a unit. For example, it
is not uncommon to see couples
in which a male partner develops
erectile dysfunction and/or rapid
ejaculation secondary to his female
partner’s struggles with dsypareunia
(sexual pain). Repeated negative
sexual experiences can be upsetting
and demoralizing for both partners
and often leads to declining sex drive
and sexual activity.
Early research dating back to the
1930s has proposed a link between
sexuality and eating disorders.
Wiederman (1996) conducted a
review of the research literature
pertaining to the proposed
relationships between ED and
sexuality. In summarizing his
findings, he draws the following
broad conclusions:
• Women with AN experience low
levels of sexual libido and activity.
• Women with bulimic symptoms
tend to be more sexually experienced
compared to those with AN.
• Even following successful treatment
for the ED, a substantial number
of women with AN continue to
show avoidance of and aversion
to sexual activity, and they remain
substantially below the norm on
self-evaluations as a sexual partner,
and likelihood to engage in sexually
intimate relationships. Women with
BN are comparatively more likely
to engage in some types of sexual
activity and to perceive themselves
as more desirable sexual partners.
• In general, despite a positive
response to treatment for the
ED, women with AN and BN
continue to exhibit marked sexual
dysfunction compared to controls.
A more recent qualitative study by
Newton, Boblin, Brown and Ciliska
(2006) substantiates the above
findings and further demonstrates
that the lack of sexual desire, and
poor body image of women with
EDs adversely affects their
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sexual expression and physical and
emotional closeness in intimate
relationships. The researchers of this
study suggested that these findings be
used to tailor specific interventions
to foster intimacy and prevent
impediments to intimacy in women
with AN.
recovery process. Given that
sexual impairments have been
demonstrated to be common in
people with eating disorders, the
therapist needs to have comfort and
experience in exploring these issues
with the couple. At times, a referral
to a sex therapist may be prudent. n
Couple-based Approaches
As has been previously mentioned,
there are currently no validated
approaches to working with couples
with EDs. Clinically, we have found
that the following points are useful
guidelines for practice in working
with individuals with EDs and their
partners:
• Conduct a thorough assessment of
both the eating disorder and the
couple relationship.
• Given the multi-factorial nature of
EDs and the associated extensive
medical and psychological
consequences, it is important
to collaborate with other health
professionals (e.g., physicians,
psychiatrists, dieticians, etc.) who
have expertise in eating disorders.
• Explore the function of the eating
disorder from the perspective of the
person with the illness and his or
her partner.
• Identify specific ways that the
partner may be able to support the
recovery process especially during
the weight gain process.
• Challenge unhealthy messages
about dieting and excessive physical
activity and promote discussions
that are not appearance oriented
and weight related.
• Engage the couple in discussions
about how to prevent relapse once
the person has achieved a healthy
weight and normalized their eating.
• Explore the couple’s intimate and
sexual relationship and the ways
in which it has been impacted
by the eating disorder. Assist
the couple in resuming a sexual
relationship that feels comfortable
for them at various stages in the
Kelli Young,
MEd, BScOT,
OTReg(Ont),
DipCGPA, Cert.
OAMFT, BESTCO,
is a certified sex
therapist, couple
therapist, and occupational therapist.
She holds a teaching appointment
(status-only, lecturer) at the University
of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine,
Department of Occupational Therapy.
She has worked in the Eating Disorders
Program at the University Health
Network in Toronto for the past 20
years, and she also has a private
practice. Young is a Pre-Clinical Fellow
of the AAMFT.
Gina
Dimitropoulos,
PhD, MSW, RSW,
is a Clinical Fellow
of the AAMFT and
assistant professor
(status only) in
the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social
Work, University of Toronto. She is
both a clinician and a researcher in the
Eating Disorders Program, University
Health Network, Toronto, with a
particular interest in couple and family
therapy.
Young and Dimitropoulos will be
presenting at the 2012 AAMFT Annual
Conference on the topic of this article.
References
Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating
Disorders Inc. (ANRED). (2004). ANRED
statistics. Retrieved March 1, 2012, from
http://www.anred.com/stats.html.
American Psychiatric Association (1994).
Diagnostic and statistical manual of
mental disorders, 4th edition. Washington:
American Psychiatric Association.
Beach, S. R., Whisman, M. A. (2012). Affective disorders. Journal of
Marital and Family Therapy, 38(1), 201-219.
Bulik, C. M., Baucom, D. H., Kirby, J. S., & Pisetsky, E. (2010). Uniting
couples in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa (UCAN). International
Journal of Eating Disorders, 44(1), 19-28. DOI:10.1002/eat.20790.
Bussolotti, D., Fernandex-Aranda, F., Solano, R., Jimenez-Murcia,
S., Turon, V. & Vallejo, J. (2002). Marital status and eating disorders:
An analysis of its relevance. Journal of Psychosocial Research, 53,
1139-1145.
Carter, J. C., Norwood, S. J. & Kelly, A. C. (2012). Interpersonal
problems in anorexia nervosa: Social inhibition as defining and
detrimental. Personality and individual differences, in press.
Dimitropoulos, G., Lackstrom, J., & Woodside, B. (2007). Couples
with eating disorders: A review of the literature. In Wonderlich, S.,
Mitchell, J. E., de Zwaan, M., & Steiger, H., (Eds.) Annual review of
eating disorders. Oxford: Radcliffe.
Evans, L., & Wertheim, E. H. (2005). Attachment styles in adult
intimate relationships: Comparing women with bulimia nervosa
symptoms, women with depression and women with no conical
symptoms. European Eating Disorders Review, 13, 285-293.
Garfinkel, P. E., & Garner, D. M. (1982). Anorexia nervosa: A
multidimensional perspective. New York: Brunner/Mazel.
Hartmann, A., Zeeck, A., & Barrett, M. S. (2010). Interpersonal
problems in eating disorders. International Journal of Eating
Disorders, 43(7), 619-627.
Lock, J., & Le Grange, D. (2001). Can family-based treatment of
anorexia nervosa be manualized? Journal of Psychotherapy Practice
and Research, 10, 253-261.
Lock, J., Le Grange, D., Agras, W. S., Moye, A., Bryson, S. W.,
& Jo, B. (2010). Randomized clinical trial comparing familybased treatment with adolescent-focused individual therapy for
adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Archives of General Psychiatry,
67(10), 1025-1032.
Newton, M. Boblin, S. Brown, B. and Ciliska, D. (2006).
Understanding intimacy for women with anorexia nervosa: A
phenomenological approach. European Eating Disorders Review,
14, 43-53.
Peebles, R., Wilson, J. L., & Lock, J. D. (2011) Self-injury in
adolescents with eating disorders: Correlated and provider bias.
Journal of Adolescent Health. Mar; 48(3):310-3. Epub 2010 Oct 16.
Rosling, A. M., Sparén, P., Norring, C., & von Knorring, A. L. (2011).
Mortality of eating disorders: A follow-up study of treatment in a
specialist unit. International Journal of Eating Disorders, May, 44 (4),
304-10.
Wiederman, M. W. (1996). Women, sex, and food: A review of
research on eating disorders and sexuality. Journal of Sex Research,
33(4), 301-310.
Woodside, D. B., Shekter-Wolfson, L. F, Brandes, J. S., & Lackstrom,
J. B. Eating disorders and marriage: The couple in focus. New York:
Brunner/Mazel, 1993.
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m a y
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Weaving
Wisdom:
xxxxxx
the evolving role
of older women
Dorothy S. Becvar, PhD
according to recent reports, those in the US aged 90 and older numbered 720,000
in 1980, 1.9 million in 2010, and now are predicted to reach 9 million by 2050 (NIHCommissioned Census Bureau Report Describes Oldest Americans, 2011). Aspects of this
aging boom include a lengthening of the periods of middle and old age, with people staying
far healthier than in previous eras, and an increase in the economic power and the political
influence of older adults. Those born between 1946 and 1964—the baby boomers–tend to be
better educated, more focused on self-discovery and lifestyle experimentation, and more careeroriented than their predecessors. They tend to have great self-confidence, to be active, healthy,
productive, and involved as they focus on creating meaningful ways to enjoy life. Retirement
may occur earlier, but may have new meaning as mature adults return to school, start new
careers, or are absorbed in enjoying a renewed sense of freedom, particularly during the period
between ages 50 and 75 that Lightfoot (2009) calls the “third chapter.”
Given the growing cohort of the oldest old, as well as the fact that currently women (80) tend
to have a greater life expectancy than men (74), the time has come to consider the evolving role
of older women. In general, these women do not have a cohort of role models to whom they
can look for guidance or whom they can emulate. They thus have an opportunity to create for
themselves a role that Jonas Salk referred to as our “greatest responsibility,” that is, “to be good
ancestors” (Quoted in Fahey & Randall, 1998, p. 332).
Indeed, in contrast to the negative aspects of aging so prevalent in the literature, many
women today are acknowledging and embracing ways of knowing that are unique to them
(Gilligan, 1982). In the work force they had become the majority by the end of the twentieth
century (Castro, Bolte, Griggs, & McCarroll, 1990), and now are becoming increasingly
successful in their bids for political office. In the spiritual realm, they are forging new paths,
and creating new ways to worship in the process of searching for and finding a sense of
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connectedness to themselves, others, and the earth (Anderson
& Hopkins, 1991). And they have expressed a growing
interest in conscious aging and a willingness to reclaim the
role of the wise woman, one who assumes the responsibilities
of a woman of age, with its challenge to weave what she has
learned into wisdom that may be shared (Conway, 1994).
The goal thus becomes not just to live long, but to live well,
with recognition that the wise, older woman can have a
significant impact on those who will follow in her footsteps.
Less than 20 years ago we were advised that:
Family therapy with older persons is particularly challenging
and invigorating because it requires a knowledge of the
entire life cycle, the ability to work with family members of
all ages … a knowledge of medical issues, and the ability
to work collaboratively with other healthcare providers
(Shields, King, & Wynne, 1995, p. 157).
The implication was that the primary focus would be
on the physical challenges faced by older adults and
their families. While in some cases, such a focus may be
appropriate, today it is increasingly important for MFTs
to understand and encourage, both for their clients and
for themselves, the processes of inner development that
characterize the role that older women may play, creating
supportive relationships in which age is celebrated and
the wisdom of this generation is facilitated and respected.
In order to do so, we must be clear about what we mean
by wisdom and how we can celebrate age, often by
returning to some ancient practices.
According to Joan Erikson (1991), wisdom in the
philosophical literature traditionally has been assumed to
involve having vision and saying to oneself: “Seeing and
speaking, then communicate wisdom; seeing the future as
well as the past with the perspective of long years, speaking
the word that states the truth” (pp. 155-156). A Buddhist
perspective suggests that wisdom emerges from a process
that involves maintaining an open mind, attending to
the perspectives of others, examining carefully ideas that
contradict one’s beliefs, having a willingness to change
one’s beliefs, and taking time to reflect before arriving at
conclusions. Courage, patience, flexibility, and intelligence
are considered to be essential to such a process (A Basic
Buddhism Guide, 2012). To this a Taoist perspective adds
the need for compassion (Wisdom and Compassion: Two
Sides of the Same Coin, 2012), seeing the combination
of these two as “the essence of an enlightened life.” Or as
someone has said, “wisdom is information that has passed
through the heart.”
As older women aspire, or are encouraged, to be
weavers of wisdom, they must first welcome the
opportunities that growing older provides. Freed from
the responsibilities of earlier stages in the life cycle, they
now may take time to reflect, to meditate and/or pray, to
know themselves, to seek and offer forgiveness, to play,
and to share their joy. Also important is giving attention
to the processes characterizing healthy aging, including
staying connected to the world, maintaining meaningful
relationships, accepting the past, acknowledging
accomplishments, and trusting in life (Vaillant, 2002).
And vital to all of this is the creation of ceremonies
and rituals that represent a celebration of age. Whether
through birthday observances, croning ceremonies, or
elder initiations, older women may embrace their stage in
life, be recognized for the path they are forging, and share
the wisdom that they have gained through a continuing
process of growth and development. n
Dorothy Becvar, PhD, is an AAMFT
Clinical Fellow and Approved
Supervisor. She will be presenting a
workshop at the AAMFT 2012 Annual
Conference on the topic of this article.
References
A Basic Buddhism Guide. (2012). Retrieved on April 27, 2012 from
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/qanda07.htm.
Anderson, S. R., & Hopkins, P. (1991). The feminine face of god: The
unfolding of the sacred in women. New York: Bantam Books.
Conway, D. J. (1994). Maiden, mother, crone: The myth and reality
of the triple goddess. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications.
Castro, J., Bolte, G., Griggs, L., & McCarroll, T. (1990) On the
job: Get set: Here they come! Time Magazine. Retrieved on
April 24, 2012, from http://www.time.com/time/magazine/
article/0,9171,971590,00.html.
Erikson, J. M. (1991). Wisdom and the senses: The way of creativity.
New York: W. W. Norton.
Fahey, L., & Randall, R. M. (1998). Learning from the future:
Competitive foresight scenarios. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Gilligan, (1982). In a different voice. Cambridge, MA: Harvard
University Press.
Lightfoot, S. L. (2009). The third chapter: Passion, risk and adventure
in the 25 years after 50. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
NIH-Commissioned Census Bureau Report Describes Oldest
Americans. (2011). Retrieved November 17, 2011, from http://www.
nih.gov/news/health/nov2011/nia-17.htm.
Shields, C. G., King, D., & Wynne, L. C. (1995). Interventions
with later life families. In R. H. Mikesell, D. D. Lusterman, & S. H.
McDaniel (Eds.), Integrating family therapy: Handbook of family
psychology and systems theory, (pp. 141-158). Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association.
Vaillant, G. E. (2002). Aging well. Boston: Little, Brown and Company.
Wisdom and Compassion: Two Sides of the Same Coin. (2012).
Retrieved April 27, 2012, from http://www.taoism.net/theway/
wisdom.htm.
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Resolving Women’s
Relationship Issues through
Differentiation
Ruth Morehouse, PhD
How do you support a woman’s efforts to break away from gender role stereotypes
without seeming like you are supporting her against her male partner?
Why are so many women still deeply frustrated with their role in relationships when
it’s been more than 30 years since Women’s Lib and the Sexual Revolution?
How do ambiguous, conflicting societal messages about female sexuality impact
women’s sexual satisfaction in their romantic relationships?
These questions come up with many permutations when working with women’s issues in therapy. The
Crucible Approach, a differentiation-based therapy, has been particularly effective in bringing clarity to
both my clients and my therapists’ consultation groups around women’s struggles to define themselves in
their significant relationships.
•O
ne of the hallmarks of the Crucible Approach is the emphasis on maintaining a balanced alliance
with each client in couple or family therapy. Women entering couple therapy with a female therapist
may have expectations that the female therapist will align with the woman’s position in their marital
difficulties. If you create an unbalanced alliance with the woman (whether you are a male or female
therapist) you will lose traction with her spouse, render the therapy less effective and may also limit her
opportunity to learn to stand up for herself.
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•D
espite advances for women in the last two generations,
many still experience excruciating, painful struggles
when defining themselves in relationships. Bolstered
by the more equalitarian social views, such a woman
may appear outwardly confident, self-directed, and
sexually empowered. But she can easily lose her nerve
and autonomy once there is any significant conflict in
her important relationships. Yes, this response is partly
attributable to lingering sex role stereotypes about being too
assertive in relationships. But it is primarily fueled by her
limited differentiation. Overcoming her fears of rejection
requires increasing her level of differentiation by developing
the dual ability to be emotionally connected while also
maintaining autonomy in significant relationships.
Therapists can help female (and male) clients enhance their
level of differentiation by focusing on the Crucible Four
Points of Balance™ which include holding unto yourself
when being pressured to conform, the ability to quiet
your body and mind, staying grounded and focused on
important issues, and meaningful endurance.
• W
omen will dampen down their own eroticism in their
sexual relationships with male partners for fear of upsetting
his reflected sense of self. This is the sexual version of
borrowed functioning. Borrowed functioning limits the
potential growth of each person and often leads to a wide
variety of relationship problems like resentment and lack of
respect that go far beyond the bedroom.
The following case synopsis provides an example of
addressing these three points by focusing on increasing
client’s differentiation.
Denise is a woman in her late 30s who is struggling in her
marriage of 13 years to Karl. Up until recently, they have
been seemingly compatible in many aspects of their life.
Now that their children are in middle school, Denise has
started working and is gaining professional recognition for
her assertiveness and leadership, but finds it more difficult to
speak up at home about her sexual dissatisfaction.
Denise is actually the Higher Desire Partner (HDP) for sex
in their relationship, but throughout their marriage has let
Karl take the initiative in determining their sexual frequency
because he seemed so uncomfortable when she initiated. If
she comments on it now, Karl, the Lower Desire Partner
(LDP), seems even less likely to initiate or participate in sex.
Denise calls my office to schedule an individual therapy
session.
After hearing her description of their situation, the first move
I make is to encourage Denise to address her issues in couple’s
therapy with Karl. I believe that couple’s conflicts over sexual
desire issues are best treated in a systemic framework. Often,
people look much better and far more reasonable when they
are by themselves in my office! However, I will develop a
more accurate picture, more quickly, of each person’s level of
differentiation by exploring their issues together in my office.
I establish a balanced alliance in the first sessions by
expressing understanding of, and acknowledging each
person’s point of view, while also offering a third view of their
dilemma, which is different than either client’s perception of
the problem. I continually monitor my self throughout the
therapy to be sure I am maintaining my alliance with each of
them. I know that if I “side” with Denise it will not be good
for her or the relationship.
In subsequent sessions, I explored the ways they each failed
to hold unto themselves. Karl stepped up and was able to
acknowledge his discomfort when Denise was assertive in
sex. Karl then practiced self-soothing in these situations and
invited his wife to initiate sex whenever she desired.
Denise did initiate sex a few times on her own, but then
fell back into being passive again. With a deeper look at her
process, she recognized that she was able to enjoy frequent
m a y
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29
sex, when it was “just sex.” However,
through therapy, the couple were also
developing more intimacy in general,
and it became too threatening for her
when greater emotional connection was
also expected by Karl in their sexual
relationship. Denise backed away from
initiating sex to titrate the level of
closeness between them. Karl was now
the partner pushing for more sex.
I encouraged Denise to take a closer
look at her own capacity for emotional
intimacy. She now recognized that
her avoiding initiating sex with Karl
all those years was also about her own
discomfort with emotional closeness,
not just protecting him. When she
started confronting herself, Karl had his
turn at taking emotional risks. It was
easy for him to initiate sex when Denise
was resisting and he wasn’t in danger
of actually having to follow through
with more emotional connection.
When Denise confronted herself and
renewed her sexual initiations, Karl also
had to face up to his limited intimacy
tolerance.
These improvements in their individual
functioning allowed each of them
to recognize that their conflicts over
sexual frequency were indicative of
deeper concerns about how much
closeness they could each tolerate in
their relationship and still be able to
hold unto their sense of self. As each
of them became better able to validate
themselves, there was less reactivity
regarding sexual desire differences
and each of them experienced more
emotional satisfaction in sexual
interactions. And they were now both
more capable of tackling stereotypes
about male and female sexual roles.
As therapy progressed, Denise also used
her Four Points of Balance to address
problems with her boss and with a
close girlfriend. The beauty of the
Crucible Approach, with its emphasis
on differentiation and the Four Points
of Balance, is that the theory and the
therapy is robust and versatile enough
to work with a variety of relationship
issues and can be used in individual,
couple or family therapy. n
(Case vignette has been significantly altered to
protect client confidentiality.)
Ruth Morehouse,
PhD, is an AAMFT
Clinical Fellow
and Approved
Supervisor. She
will be presenting
a workshop at the
AAMFT 2012 Annual Conference on
the topic of this article.
Suggested Readings
Morehouse, Ruth (2011). Family therapy
with newly formed couples. The Family
Psychologist, Winter Edition, 2011, 3-5.
Schnarch, D. (1991). Constructing the Sexual
Crucible: An integration of sex and marital
therapy. New York: Norton Books.
Schnarch, D. (2009). Intimacy and desire:
Awaken the passion in your relationship.
New York: Beaufort Books.
Do you see your area of experience and expertise
listed below? Family Therapy Magazine is always on the
look out for new authors to contribute to our bimonthly
publication. Send a note of inquiry to [email protected] for
more information. We look forward to hearing from you.
FamilyTherapy
T H E A M E R I C A N A S S O C I AT I O N
Upcoming topics:
2012
MARRIAGE AND
M
A
G
A
Z
FA M I LY
I
N
THERAPY
E
M AY | J U N E 2 0 1 1
FamilyTherapy
T h e a m e r i c a n a s s o c i aT i o n
November/December: Emerging Legal & Ethical Issues
FOR
For
marriage and
m
a
g
a
z
Fa m i ly
i
n
Therapy
e
march | april 2010
2013
FamilyTherapy
T h e a m e r i c a n a s s o c i aT i o n
For
marriage and
the science of love
m a
g
a
z
Fa m i ly
i
n
Therapy
e
sepTember | ocTober 2009
January/February: Courtship & Mating
March/April: Technology & Relationships
Alternative
Therapies
May/June: Raising Vibrant, Healthy Kids
Family Finances
30
f a m i l y
t h e r a p y
m a g a z i n e
2012 AAMFT Annual Conference
PRESENTER INDEX
Orenstein, Peggy, Plenary Session
Boyd, Tommie, PhD, 401
Denton, Wayne, PhD, Research Poster
Ogden, Gina, PhD, Plenary Session
Brantley, Cicely, Research Poster
Derrig-Palumbo, Kathleene, PhD, 513
Gergen, Mary, PhD, Plenary Session
Breunig, Zachary, 211
Diakonova-Curtis, Daria, Research Poster
Elders, Joycelyn, PhD, Plenary Session
Breunlin, Douglas, MSSA, 307
Dimitropoulos, Gina, PhD, 406
Abrams, Bertranna, Research Poster
Brimhall, Andrew, PhD, Research Poster
Doherty, William, PhD, 103
Adams, Rebekah, Research Poster
Brosi, Matthew, PhD, Research Poster
Dolbin-MacNab, Megan, PhD, Research Poster
Addison, Sheila, PhD, 407
Brown, Austin, Research Poster
Dsauza, Cynthia, Research Poster
Aducci, C. J., MA, Research Poster
Buchholz, Marjorie, MS, 606
Duca, Francesca, PhD, Research Poster
Ahmed, Amira, Research Poster
Butler, Maria, MFT, 515
Durtschi, Jared, PhD, Research Poster
Ajayi, Christine, 613, Research Poster
Cade, Rochelle, 101
Edwards, Lindsay, Research Poster
Andersen, Kenneth, 403
Caldwell, Benjamin, PsyD, 201, 310
Edwards, Scott, PhD, 509
Anderson, Jared, PhD, Research Poster
Campbell, Sallie, MSW, 609
Ellsworth, Allison, 410
Anderson, Shayne R., PhD, 300, Research Poster
Cannon, Dylan, Research Poster
Engblom-Deglmann, Michelle, PhD, 104, 215
Ausherman, Kadie, 211
Carlson, Thomas Stone, PhD, 400, Research Poster
Epstein, Norman, PhD, 111, Research Poster
Austin, Heather, Research Poster
Carneiro, Renata, 114
Erwin, Ben, PhD, 203
Austin, Jennifer, Research Poster
Carpenter, Georgia, 313
Escobar-Chew, Ana Rocio, 313, Research Poster
Awosan, Christiana, 114
Cate, Shannon, 108
Eversole, Liza, 513
Ball, Sarah, 215
Cates, Jennifer, PhD, Research Poster
Falconier, Mariana, PhD, Research Poster
Ballard, Jaime, Research Poster
Cawn, Michelle Kipick, 316
Fariello, Chris, PhD, 507
Banford, Alyssa Jane, Research Poster
Chang, Jeff, PhD, 603
Faul, Annatjie, Research Poster
Baptist, Joyce, PhD, Research Poster
Chenail, Ronald, PhD, 105
Fawcett, David, Research Poster
Barchers, Julie, MMFT, Research Poster
Cheng, Wan-Juo, Research Poster
Feinauer, Leslie, PhD, Research Poster
Barlow, Larry, PhD, 302
Cheon, Hee-Sun, PhD, 509
Fincham, Frank, Research Poster
Barnes, Diana Lynn, PsyD, 113
Chiang, Fu Fan, Research Poster
Finsaas, Megan, Research Poster
Barnes, Lauren, Research Poster
Childers, Morgan, 111
Fisch, Casey, Research Poster
Bartle-Haring, Suzanne, PhD, Research Poster
Chou, Jessica, 501
Fish, Jessica, Research Poster
Bean, Roy, PhD, Research Poster
Christenson, Jacob, PhD, Research Poster
Fitzgerald, Sharon, MA, 207
Beaulieu, Danie, 614
Claridge, Amy, Research Poster
Ford, Megan, 106
Becvar, Dorothy, PhD, 516
Clark, Nerlie, 601
Freeman, Licia, MA, 205
Bedard, Chris, Research Poster
Connor, Jennifer, PhD, Research Poster
Frey, Laura, MS, Research Poster
Bell, Deborah, MFT, 108
Cook, Emily, Research Poster
Gale, Jerry, PhD, 106
Benesh, Andrew, Research Poster
Cooley, Morgan, Research Poster
Galick, Aimee, 414
Bermudez, J. Maria, PhD, 600, Research Poster
Corley, M. Deborah, PhD, 616
Gangamma, Rashmi, PhD, Research Poster
Berryhill, Micha, Research Poster
Cornwell, Zoe, Research Poster
Gassas, Reham, Research Poster
Beyer, Kaleb, Research Poster
Cox, Ruth, PhD, 608
Gearhart, Brenda, 508
Bhatia, Taranjit, Research Poster
Crane, D. Russell, PhD, 506, Research Poster
Gehart, Diane, PhD, 413
Bischoff, Richard, PhD, Research Poster
Crane, Jeffrey, Research Poster
Giraldez, Diana, 401
Bishop, Mike, PhD, 508, 609
Cravens, Jaclyn, Research Poster
Glebova, Tatiana, PhD, Research Poster
Bittle, Mary, PhD, 504
Curtis, Davis S., 111
Goetz, Joseph, 106
Black, Brent, Research Poster
Dalton, Melissa, Research Poster
Goff, Jaime, PhD, Research Poster
Blackburn, Kristyn, Research Poster
D’Ambrosio, Joseph, MSSW, Research Poster
Gonzalez, Armando, Research Poster
Blakeslee, Sara, PhD, Research Poster
Danforth, John, MSMFT, 609
Goodman, Rebecca, 214
Blow, Adrian, PhD, Research Poster
D’Aniello, Carissa, MA, Research Poster
Gordon, Teandra, MA, Research Poster
Blumer, Markie, PhD, 210, 402, Research Poster
Dauler, Andrew J., 111
Grafsky, Erika, Research Poster
Bobele, Monte, PhD, 109
Davey, Maureen, PhD, Research Poster
Graham, Roberta, MMFT, 609
Bohlinger, Anna,Research Poster
Davis, BreAnna, 111
Grassia, Joanne, 207
Bowling, Justin, Research Poster
Davis, Sean, PhD, 209
Grauf-Grounds, Claudia, PhD, 509
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2012 AAMFT Annual Conference PRESENTER INDEX
Green, Dol, 408
Karam, Eli, MSMFT, 209
Melissano, Rita, PhD, 416
Green, Mary S., PhD, 203, Research Poster
Keever, Robert, MS, 213
Mendez, Marcos, Research Poster
Green, Parris, Research Poster
Keiley, Margaret, EdD, 214
Mendez, Nina, 601
Green, Shelley, PhD, 213
Kemp, Charity, Research Poster
Meng, Karl, MS, Research Poster
Greenberg, Carl, MS, 404
Kenyear, Debra, MA, 608
Mennenga, Kayla, 410
Greener, Gail Heather, PhD, 208
Ketner, Joel, Research Poster
Meyer, Andrea, PhD, Research Poster
Gregson, Kimberly, MMFT, 214
Ketring, Scott, PhD, 214
Miller, Bobbi, MS, 104, 303, 501
Griffin, Priscilla, Research Poster
Killian, Kyle, PhD, 315, Research Poster
Miller, Debra, 505
Habben, Christopher, PhD, 405
Kim, Carol, Research Poster
Miller, Richard, PhD, Research Poster
Haines, Jenny, Research Poster
Kim, Hye Jin, Research Poster
Moncrief, Allena, Research Poster
Hansen, Lisa, Research Poster
Kimberly, Claire, Research Poster
Moore, Lyn, Research Poster
Hardy, Kenneth, PhD, 114
Kinman, Karen, PhD, 504
Morehouse, Ruth, PhD, 500
Hardy, Nathan, Research Poster
Kirk, Jeffrey, Research Poster
Mudry, Tanya, 206
Harmon, La-Rhonda, Research Poster
Kissil, Karni, MEd, Research Poster
Murphy, Megan, PhD, 207, Research Poster
Harper, James M., PhD, Research Poster
Klinger, Deborah, MA, 604
Nancoo, Carla, 410
Harris, Steven, PhD, 103, Research Poster
Knudson-Martin, Carmen, PhD, 414, 615
Nanos-Bednar, Constantina, MA, Research Poster
Hart, John, 111
Ko, Mei-Ju, 600, Research Poster
Nazario, Andres, PhD, 613
Hartwell, Erica, Research Poster
Korkow, Hannah, Research Poster
Nelson, Thorana, PhD, 605
Haslam, Darryl, PhD, 415
Lamson, Angela, PhD, 308, Research Poster
Nichols, Charles, Research Poster
Hayes, Mellonie, PhD, Research Poster
Lapierre, Coady, Research Poster
Nordquist, Erica, Research Poster
Helfrich, Christine, Research Poster
Lappan, Sara, 313
Northrup, Jason, PhD, Research Poster
Helmeke, Karen, PhD, 600
le Roux, Pieter, D Litt et Phil, 305
Norton, Aaron, Research Poster
Hertlein, Katherine, PhD, 210
Lea, Cindy, MA, 311
O’Brien, Nicole, MA, Research Poster
Hervis, Olga, MSW, 505
LeBaron, Carly, Research Poster
Odell, Jenni, 215
Hinson, Waymon, PhD, Research Poster
Lechtenberg, Marcie, Research Poster
Oh, Jea-Eun, Research Poster
Hodgson, Jennifer, PhD, 506
Leckie, Kaitlin, Research Poster
Oka, Megan, PhD, Research Poster
Hollingsworth, Glenn, MA, Research Poster
Lee, Seonhwa, 305
Oke, Louise, MSc, Research Poster
Holowacz, Eugene, Research Poster
Lewis, Lorisa, 213
Olson, Michael, PhD, Research Poster
Holtrop, Kendal, 313, Research Poster
Lewis, Melissa, 308
ORourke, Kathleen, Research Poster
Horst, Kyle, Research Poster
Lianekhammy, Joann, Research Poster
Orr, J. Matthew, PhD, 314
Horton, Dwayne, Research Poster
Link, Chelsea, Research Poster
Oseland, Lauren, 104
Hotvedt, Mary, PhD, 112, 212, 312, 412, 512, 612
Liu, Ting, PhD, 409
Oxford, Linda, MSSW, 609
Howard, Michael, EdD, 511, 608
Loewy, Michael, 407
Palit, Manjushree, 502, Research Poster
Hsieh, Alexander, Research Poster
Lord, Daniel, PhD, 405
Papaj, Aubree, 402
Hudak, Jacqueline, PhD, 605
Lotspeich Younkin, Felisha, Research Poster
Papura-Gill, Alexsandra, 115
Huenergardt, Douglas, PhD, 414, 615
Lynch, Laura, PhD, Research Poster
Parker, Trent, PhD, Research Poster
Huff, Nichole, Research Poster
Lyon, Sarah, MS, Research Poster
Hughes, Anthony, Research Poster
Maag, Ashley, Research Poster
Parra-Cardona, Jose Ruben, PhD, 313,
Research Poster
Hunt, Shanda, Research Poster
Maine, Margo, PhD, 204
Pereyra, Sergio, Research Poster
Jackson, Jeffrey, PhD, 202, Research Poster
Manuel, Lonnie, Research Poster
Perez, Yesenia, 214
Johnson, Eric, PhD, 601
Marek, Lydia, PhD, Research Poster
Perry, Martha, Research Poster
Johnson, Lee, PhD, 106, 410, Research Poster
Marquez, Martha Gonzalez, PhD, 613
Pfeifer, Lexie, Research Poster
Johnson, Matthew, Research Poster
Masselam, Venus, PhD, 115
Piercy, Fred, PhD, 502
Johnson, Sabra, Research Poster
Maynard, Cynthia, MAMFT, Research Poster
Pileski, Leticia Cristina, PsyD, 403
Jonathan, Naveen, PhD, 615
McCollum, Eric, PhD, 413
Pinsof, William, PhD, 307, 510
Kadieva, Violeta, Research Poster
McCoy, Megan, Research Poster
Platt, Jason, PhD, 403
Kahn, Angela, MA, 201, 514
McGeorge, Christine, PhD, 400, Research Poster
Poggi, Gwenyth M., Research Poster
Kaminsky, Silvia, MSEd, 505
McKenzie, Alexis, 115
Ponappa, Sujata, Research Poster
Kanewischer, Erica June Weekes, MS,
Research Poster
McVicker, Melissa, 207
Porter, Natalie, Research Poster
McWey, Lenore, PhD, Research Poster
Powell, Jerry, DMin, 108
Kang, Young Joo, 615
Mecias, Annie, PhD, Research Poster
Pratt, Keeley, PhD, Research Poster
32
f a m i l y
t h e r a p y
m a g a z i n e
Priest, Jacob, Research Poster
Shannon, Samuel, Research Poster
Veldorale-Brogan, Amanda, MS, Research Poster
Prouty, Anne, PhD, 600, Research Poster
Siqueira Drake, Adryanna, Research Poster
Vennum, Amber, PhD, 602, Research Poster
Pruitt, Deanna, 111
Slive, Arnold, PhD, 109
Wahlig, Jeni, 207
Puckett, Jillian, Research Poster
Sloan, Ashlee, Research Poster
Walker, Kate, PhD, 610
Rae, Cosette, Research Poster
Smith, Craig w., PhD, Research Poster
Wallace, Tauheedah, Research Poster
Rappleyea, Damon, PhD, Research Poster
Smith, Douglas, PhD, Research Poster
Ward, David, PhD, 301, Research Poster
Rastogi, Mudita, PhD, Research Poster
Smith, Michele S., PhD, 100
Webster, Tabitha, Research Poster
Ratcliffe, Gary, Research Poster
Smith, Paula, Research Poster
Wells, Melissa, 615
Rathbun, Steven, PhD, 405
Soloski, Kristy, Research Poster
Werlinich, Carol, PhD, 111
Ratliff, Dan A., PhD, 208, 408
Southern, John Stephen, EdD, 101
Werner-Wilson, Ronald, PhD, Research Poster
Reed, Sandra, Research Poster
Sprenkle, Douglas, PhD, 209
Whitebird, Jeremiah, MA, Research Poster
Reisbig, Allison, PhD, 211, Research Poster
Springer, Nicole, PhD, Research Poster
Whitehead, Michael, MS, 313
Rio, Linda, MA, 304
Springer, Paul, PhD, 303, Research Poster
Whiting, Jason, PhD, Research Poster
Robertson, J. Michelle, PhD, 405
Sprunk, Trudy Post, MEd, 102
Whitney, Shawn, MS, 509
Robertson, Janet, 207, Research Poster
St. George, Sally, PhD, 206
Wilkins, Erica, Research Poster
Robinson, Beatrice, PhD, Research Poster
Stevenson Lloyd, Tiffani, MS, 411
Williams, Allison, Research Poster
Robinson, Laura, 402
Stinson, Morgan, Research Poster
Williams, Kirstee, PhD, 414, 615
Robinson, Marlon, 408
Stith, Sandra, PhD, Research Poster
Willis, Amber, MS, 415
Robinson, W. David, PhD, Research Poster
Stone, Dana, Research Poster
Wilson, Grace, 104
Rodriguez, Jose, Research Poster
Strong, Tom, 206
Wilson, Jenna, 401
Rose, Andrew, Research Poster
Sturm-Mexic, Jannette, PhD, 110
Wilson, Jonathan, Research Poster
Russell, William, MSW, 307
Sweeney, Daniel, PhD, 607
Wittenborn, Andrea, PhD, 409
Russon, Jody, Research Poster
Taft, Teresa, MSW, 404
Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson, Research Poster
Sampson, Jennifer, MS, 309
Tambling, Rachel B., PhD, 300, Research Poster
Wood, Nathan, PhD, Research Poster
Sandberg, Jonathan, PhD, Research Poster
Taylor, Alan, Research Poster
Woods, Sarah, Research Poster
Sankar, Sudha, Research Poster
Teater, Martha, MA, 611
Woolley, Scott, PhD, 503
Schade, Lori Cluff, MS, Research Poster
Templeton, G. Bowden, PhD, Research Poster
Wulff, Daniel, MSW, 206
Schaefer, Erin, MAEd, 216
Thomas, Scottie, 508
Yeats, Janet, 309
Schmittel, Emily, Research Poster
Thompson, David E., Research Poster
Brimhall, Andrew, PhD, 104
Schnarch, David, PhD, 200
Toomey, Russell, Research Poster
Yoo, Hana, Research Poster
Schwerdtfeger, Kami, PhD, 104
Topor, Jessica Anna, Research Poster
Yorgason, Jeremy, PhD, Research Poster
Scott, Jenna, Research Poster
Vaillancourt, Kourtney, PhD, Research Poster
Young, Colleen, Research Poster
Sebung, Karen, MA, 602
Valladares, Sherylls, Research Poster
Young, Kelli, MEd, 406
Serovich, Julianne, PhD, Research Poster
VanEngen, Geraldine, MSc, Research Poster
Zak-Hunter, Lisa, Research Poster
Shadley, Meri, PhD, 306
Veenstra, Jr., Glenn, PhD, 107
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2012 AAMFT Annual Conference
ABSTRACT READERS
The AAMFT is deeply grateful and
appreciative to the Association members
who volunteer each year to take on the
hard work of making sure we offer the best
content and programs. We sincerely thank
the following members for their help in
developing this year’s conference program.
–Michael Bowers, Executive Director
Addison, Sheila, PhD
Allan, Robert
Altman, Gela, MSW
Anderson, Jared, PhD
Arnold, Stanley, MS
Ast, Limor, DMFT
Avineri, Margaret, PsyD
Babin, Darlene, MA
Bachner, Harriet, PhD
Barchers, Julie, MMFT
Barron, Linda, MA
Barson, Linda, MA
Bartee, Russell, PhD
Bartley, Alise, PhD
Beasley, Carin, MA
Beasley, Ramona, MA
Beatty, Mary Jane, MA
Becerril, Mary, PhD
Berardi, Anna, PhD
Bertram, Dale, PhD
Bex, Jaclyn, MA
Bischof, Gary, PhD
Blakeslee, Sara, PhD
Blumer, Markie, PhD
Bonomo, Josephine, MS
Bowman, Kathryn, EdS
Boyd, Gail, PhD
Boyle, David, PhD
Bradley, Dianne, MA
Braxton, Kareem, MA
Brightup, Jennie, MFT
Brimhall, Andrew, PhD
Brock, Linda, PhD
Brooks, Stephanie, MSW
Brown, Diana, MA
Brown, Kristina, PhD
Bruce, Christine, MDiv
Bryan, Laura, PhD
Burton, Mary, MS
Caiella, Cinda, MA
Caldwell, Benjamin, PsyD
Caldwell, Karen, PhD
34
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Camerino, Jose, MSW
Canty, Paulann, MS
Carlson, Thomas Stone, PhD
Casper, Sarah, MS
Castanos, Ines, PhD
Cefarelli, Normajean, MFT
Chang, Jeff, PhD
Chenail, Ronald, PhD
Chestnut, Cynthia, PhD
Chou, Liang-Ying, PhD
Christenson, Jacob, PhD
Chupina-Orantes, Miguel, PhD
Clapper, David, DMin
Clark, Lawrence, DMin
Clifford, Marvin, PhD
Coates, Wendy, MA
Cohen-Posey, Kate, MS
Colten, Elizabeth, MA
Cox, Ruth, PhD
Daniels, Larry, MA
Davey, Maureen, PhD
DeLuca, Stephen, MS
Dement, Deena S., MS
Dillon, Cecile, PhD
Dimitropoulos, Gina, PhD
Doherty, Peter, PhD
Douglas, Karen, MA
Drew, Faith, PhD
Duca, Francesca, PhD
Dwyer, Timothy, PhD
Eddinger, John, DMin
Edwards, Alice, MFT
Edwards, Alisyn Arden, MMFT
Edwards, Jason, PhD
Eisen, Robin Jen, MA
Elam, Cheryl, MS
Elle, Don, MS
Engblom-Deglmann, Michelle, PhD
Eppler, Christie, PhD
Fariello, Chris, PhD
Fener, Rachel, MA
Ferrara, Dawn, MA
Filippi, Ilaria, MFT
Fitzgerald, Sharon, MA
Fitzpatrick, Michael, MSW
Flori, Denise, PhD
Flournoy, Deborah, PhD
Floyd, H. Hugh, PhD
Foley, Karen, MFT
Follansbee, Patti, PhD
Foos, Shari, MA
Forman, Bruce, PhD
Furrow, James, MA
Garnett, Danny, DMin
Gehlert, Kurt, PhD
Gelder, Melinda, MA
Gerson, Michael, PhD
Gillespie, Richard, MDiv
Gillespy, Susan, MA
Gilmore, Miranda, MA
Gingrich, Frederick, DMin
Ginsberg, Barry, PhD
Glaister, Judy, MS
Glassmann, Marvin, EdD
Gooch, Mary Louise, MA
Graham, Roberta, MMFT
Gray, Marcia, PhD
Gredler, Karen Rose, MSMFT
Gregson, Kimberly, MMFT
Gresser, William, MA
Grieme, Amanda, EdD
Guditis, Leslie, PhD
Gurman, Alan, PhD
Habben, Christopher, PhD
Hackett, Tia Madaffari, MS
Hale-Haniff, Mary, PhD
Harper, James, PhD
Hartmann, Trisha, MAMFT
Hassler, Ajakai, PhD
Hayes, Everett, PhD
Haym, Coreen, MSSc
Heatherly, George, PhD
Henderson, Carrie, MSW
Hicks, Mark, MSW
Hildebrandt, Candace, MA
Hodges, Stacey, MS
Holm, Kristen, PhD
Horan, Carol, MA
Horner, Evan, MDiv
Hoskins, Lindsey, PhD
Hovestadt, Alan, EdD
Jackson, Jeffrey, PhD
Jackson, Michael, MSEd
Jacobs-Brown, Madrid, MA
Jaffe, Mitchell, MA
Jennings, Glen, EdD
Johnson, Arlene, MS
Johnson, Eric, PhD
Jonathan, Naveen, PhD
Jones-Parker, Marilynn, PhD
Karakurt, Gunnur, PhD
Katz, Ronald, PhD
Keiley, Margaret, EdD
Kelly-Trombley, Holli, MFT
Kissil, Karni, MEd
Kleist, David, MA
Klinger, Deborah, MA
Knudson-Martin, Carmen, PhD
Koenig, Nedra, MA
Koski, Sharon, MA
Kushner, Margo, MSW
Lambert-Shute, Jennifer, PhD
Lancaster, John, PhD
Laundy, Kathleen, PsyD
Levy, Paula, MA
Liefeld, Julie, MA
Lieser, Monica, MMFT
Lister, Latisha
Lister, Zephon, PhD
Litt, Barry, MFT
Litzke, Cheryl, PhD
Livingston, Steve, PhD
Livingstone, Patti, MS
Lloyd, Carleton, PhD
LoFrisco, Barbara, MA
Macchi, C. R., PhD
MacKechnie, Judy, MTS
Makidon, Yvonne,
Malinowski, Brian, MS
Manes, Rosemarie, MA
Marcoux, Linda, MA
Markert-Green, Brenda-Joyce, DMFT
Marquez, Martha Gonzalez, PhD
Masselam, Venus, PhD
Maurer, Randall, PhD
Mazarin-Stanek, Karen, MA
McEwen, Brian, MA
McGeorge, Christine, PhD
McGhee-Pasternak, Mary E., MA
McKeel, Alan Jay, MS
McNeely, Larry, MEd
McWey, Lenore, PhD
McWhorter, Richard, MEd
Merkert, Richard, MA
Messmore, Carol, PhD
Meyering, Cynthia, MA
Miceli, Yvonne, MA
Michael, Randolph, DMin
Mikkelson, Suzanne, MAMFT
Milbeck, Kathleen, MA
Miller, Sandra Leigh, MSSW
Miller, Shelley, MS
Minniear, Robert, EdD
Morgan, Oliver, MFT
Morris, Anthony, EdS
Morris, James, PhD
Morton, Michael, MA
Muller, Douglas, PhD
Murphy, Megan, PhD
Nazario, Andres, PhD
Nelson, Kaye, EdD
Nettles, Rae, MEd
Northey, William, PhD
Oka, Megan, PhD
O’Leary, Bruce, MA
Oliver, Marvarene, EdD
Pak, Jenny, PhD
Park, Elizabeth, PhD
Parker, Cathy, PhD
Parker, Mary, MC
Parker, Trent, PhD
Parlier, Melissa, MA
Peery, Margaret, MA
Pela, Carolyn, PhD
Pellmann, Linda, MA
Perry, C. Wayne, DMin
Peterson, Colleen, PhD
Pettinelli, J. Douglas, PhD
Pina, Dakesa, PhD
Pittle, David, MDiv
Piva, Shelli, MS
Porreca, Rita, MA
Porter, Robert, PhD
Poulsen, Shruti, PhD
Powell, Jerry, DMin
Prouty, Anne, PhD
Quek, Karen, PhD
Raffel, Lee, MSSW
Rambod, Haleh, MAMFT
Ramsdell, Cathlene, MA
Randall, Patricia, MSW
Rappleyea, Damon, PhD
Regan, Marjorie, MA
Reid, Laurie, MS
Reisbig, Allison, PhD
Reiss, Erick, MAMFT
Richter, Laura, MS
Rio, Linda, MA
Risso, Robin, MEd
Roberson, Hoyt, MC
Rockett, Erin, MA
Rodriguez, Jeanette, PhD
Rokach, Ami, PhD
Roney, Judith, MA
Rose, Jeffrey, EdS
Roth, Kevin, MFT
Sadre, Mahnaz, MS
Sailor, Joanni, PhD
Saindon, Connie, MA
Sampson, Jennifer, MS
Savage, Lynda, MA
Scanlon, Catherine, PhD
Schmidt, Kim, PhD
Schneider, Lawrence, PhD
Schwallie, Linda, MS
Schwerdtfeger, Kami, PhD
Scialli, John, MD
Scott, William, PhD
Shatz, Karen, PhD
Shi, Lin, PhD
Shuster, Harry, MA
Silitsky, Cindy, PhD
Simpson, Jean, MS
Sirkin, Nancy, MA
Skinner, Kathe, MA
Smith, Christopher, MDiv
Smith, Craig, PhD
Smith, Diane Hall, MLS
Smith, Douglas, PhD
Smith, Jeri, PhD
Smith, Lee, MS
Sodaro, Ramie, MFT
Softas-Nall, Basilia, PhD
Souza, Kristine, MS
Stauffer, Janet, PhD
Steele, Deborah, MAMFT
Stilwell, Robin, MA
Stubbs, Judith, MA
Swindall, Alan, MACN
Tait, Shannon, MA
Takla, La Tanya, MA
Tambling, Rachel, PhD
Taylor, Brent, PhD
Thibault, Norman, PhD
Thomas, James, MA
Thomas, Kaisha, PhD
Thomas, Monica, MA
Thomas, Shatavia, DMFT
Thomas, Volker, PhD
Thompson, J. Graham, MA
Tomlinson, Jeremy, MEd
Tracy, Holly, MA
Tramonte, Elizabeth, MS
Tufford, Lea, MA
Turney, Howard, PhD
Tyndall, Lisa, PhD
Tysinger, Betty, MHDL
Ungvarsky, James, PsyD
Utesch, William, PhD
Vandehey, Michael, PhD
Velazquez-Constas, Maria, MEd
Vennum, Amber, PhD
Veshinski, Sloane, MS
Wade, Kenneth, PhD
Walker, Elizabeth, ThD
Wallach, Dana, MA
Waltz, Jesse, MAEd
Watson, Carol, PhD
Watson, Dyane, PhD
Watters, Yulia,
Westbrook, Julia, EdS
White, Mark, PhD
Whiting, Jason, PhD
Wilkie, Mary Susan, PhD
Willey, Maria Oneide, MA
Wilson, Marcia, MEd
Winderman, Lee, PhD
Winek, Jon, PhD
Wittenborn, Andrea, PhD
Wong, Si-Pui Pearl, PhD
Wood, Nathan, PhD
Yates, Amy, PhD
Zimbardo, Adam, MA
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PRELIMINARY BROCHURE
THE 2012 AAMFT
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Women:
Evolving Roles in
Society and Family
September 13-16, 2012
Charlotte, NC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Conference Highlights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Special Events, Meetings,
and Receptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Continuing Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Plenary Sessions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thursday Pre-Conference Institutes,
September 13, 2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Friday Workshops, September 14, 2012 . . . . . . .
Research Poster Session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saturday Workshops, September 15, 2012. . . . .
Sunday Seminars, September 16, 2012. . . . . . . .
46
48
52
59
63
70
Hotel and Travel Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Charlotte, North Carolina Area Information . . . . . 75
Subject Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Registration Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Registration Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
2012 A A M F T A N N UA L CON F ER E NC E
“WOMEN: EVOLVING ROLES IN SOCIETY AND FAMILY”
It
was impossible to know when the conference theme was selected
last year that the evolving roles of women in society and family
would become such a topic of national conversation and debate. Yet, in the
last few months we’ve heard conversations about women’s health and
contraception, women’s role in work and even how that is defined, and how
influential the “women’s vote” is in national politics.
What AAMFT offers at its Annual Conference is an opportunity to step
beyond politics and consider the stories of women, and how to build
on the strengths and address the challenges facing women at this
time. Whether looking at life cycle issues, family dynamics, health
and well-being, or the roles women carry, this conference offers
a wealth of information and knowledge, and a safe space for
therapists to dialogue and consider together how to best serve
women and those in the families they love.
We are very excited that this year’s conference “Women: Evolving Roles in Society
and Family,” is opening with Dr. Joycelyn Elders, the 15th Surgeon General of the
United States. Dr. Elders’ story reflects the conference theme and exemplifies the
evolving roles of women in society. Dr. Elders will discuss her inspiring personal
journey leading to, during, and after her time as Surgeon General. This year’s plenary
series will also include Dr. Mary Gergen, speaking on the new psychology of gender,
Dr. Gina Ogden, exploring the positive aspects of sexuality and aging, and Peggy
Orenstein, noted author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter.
Known as the Queen City, Charlotte, NC is truly spectacular. Aligned with the
conference theme, the Queen City was founded in 1769 and named for Queen
Charlotte, wife of King George III of England. Did you know that Charlotte is now the
nation’s second leading financial center?
The conference, being held at the Charlotte Convention Center will include nearly 120
educational opportunities. When not attending a high quality educational session, you can enjoy
the beautiful surroundings of Charlotte. Charlotte provides a combination of great weather in
September with such activities as live music, shopping, spas, ballet or opera.
Of course, one of the most important conference experiences is catching up with friends/colleagues and making
new ones. This year we have made networking more prominent and are featuring opportunities throughout the
conference in the exciting, newly redesigned Exhibit Hall.
With the NASCAR Hall of Fame within a block of the Convention Center, it seems only fitting that
AAMFT enthusiastically invites our members with, “MFTs start your engines….plane, train or automobile,
and get to Charlotte!”
MICHAEL BOWERS
Executive Director
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A A M F T 2012 BOA R D OF DIR EC TOR S
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Linda Metcalf, PhD
President
Erin C. Schaefer, MAEd
Michael L. Chafin, MEd
President-Elect
Maryanna Domokos-Cheng Ham,
EdD
Adrian J. Blow, PhD
Secretary
Carl F. Greenberg, MS
Silvia Kamisky, MSEd
Treasurer
Victor J. Olsen, MA
Christopher M. Habben, PhD
Marvarene Oliver, EdD
CDP Chair
Kaye W. Nelson, EdD
Quinton T. Jones
Student/Associate Representative
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CON F ER E NC E HIGH L IGHTS
PLENARY SESSIONS
THURSDAY OPENING
PLENARY SESSION (P. 50)
Paradoxes and Contradictions:
My Time as Surgeon General
SATURDAY MORNING
PLENARY SESSION (P. 63)
The Best is Yet to Come: Love, Sex and
Growing Older
FRIDAY PLENARY SESSION (P. 52)
Spice and Dice: Profusions of Gender in
a Postmodern World
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
PLENARY SESSION (P. 69)
From Princesses to Pop Tarts:
What the New Culture of Girlhood
Means About Girls and the Grown Ups
Who Care About Them
Joycelyn Elders, MD
Mary Gergen, PhD
Gina Ogden, PhD
Peggy Orenstein
CONFERENCE TRACKS
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
As the gap between physical and mental healthcare needs
continues, therapists are being called upon to enhance the
overall well-being of clients in addition to addressing the
needs of those in the healthcare system. This track offers
a selection of workshops for those who wish to broaden
their knowledge about the positive impact that therapists
can have in the areas of women’s health and well-being.
104 Dealing with Empty Arms: Women and Infertility (p.48)
204 The Perfect Storm: Gender, Culture and
Eating Disorders (p.52)
304 Women and Hormones: Is it Just in Her Head? (p.56)
404 Women and Cancer: Healing the Mind, Body,
SUPERVISION
This track is designed to be parts of a whole, taking
the supervision candidate through a series of didactic
and experiential sessions in order to complete the 15hour interactive component of the Fundamentals of
Supervision course, which is required for the AAMFT
Approved Supervisor designation. (A separate 15-hour
didactic component is required to complete the full course
requirement.) Participants are urged to attend the entire
track, and must do so for credit towards the Fundamentals
course requirement. The track is designed to incorporate
the nine learning objectives for Approved Supervisors.
Heart and Soul (p.64)
504 Healing and the Heart: Women’s Experience of
Cardiac Disease (p.66)
604 Yoga for Healing Trauma and Eating/Food/Body
Image Concerns (p.70)
112 Laying a Foundation for Your Supervision (p.49)
212 Building the Ground Floor (p.54)
312 From Design to Construction (p.57)
412 Built to Last (p.65)
512 Working to Code (p.68)
612 No Cookie Cutter Models, Please! (p.71)
WOMEN AND THE MILITARY
WOMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
108 Returning Female Veterans and
216 16 and Not Pregnant: Preventing Teen Pregnancy (p.54)
316 The Mom Story: A Narrative Approach to
Increasing numbers of women are taking a wider variety
of roles in the military and in military families. With these
evolving roles comes a need for therapists who are prepared
to respond to the call for greater availability of quality
mental healthcare for these women and their families. This
track offers training opportunities for clinicians who wish
to be better prepared to work with women who serve our
country, are in families with service members, or both.
After-Deployment Struggles (p.49)
208 Women in the Military: Military Sexual Trauma,
Combat Trauma (p.53)
308 His and Her Military Marriage: A Biopsychosocial
Look at Health (p.57)
408 Military Wives, PTSD, Military Marriages:
A Research Agenda (p.64)
508 The Therapy Experiences of Female Combat
Veterans with PTSD (p.67)
608 Systemic Roles of Women in Military Families (p.71)
These sessions are designed to assist clinicians in
recognizing and addressing age-related issues in every
stage of life for girls and women, as well as for female
therapists themselves. This track offers therapists the
opportunity to discover insights and advanced knowledge
on current trends and topics, as well as the skills necessary
to address relevant issues, for women across the lifespan.
Workplace Reintegration (p.58)
416 Women at Midlife Around the World (p.66)
516 Weaving Wisdom: The Evolving Role of
Older Women (p.68)
CONFERENCE TRACK KEY
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
WOMEN AND THE MILITARY
SUPERVISION
WOMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
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Pioneers of
Family Therapy
The Pioneers of Family Therapy booklet contains brief biographical information
on 25 of the innovators in the family therapy field, along with a Family Therapy
Genogram, which documents the time line and history of our profession. Also
included in the booklet is a DVD of the 2009 AAMFT Annual Conference plenary
session by Bruce Kuehl, PhD, which addresses the founders of the MFT profession.
You can order by: Phone: +1(703) 838-9808 • Fax: +1(703) 838-9805
Email: [email protected] • Online: www.aamft.org
SPECI A L E V E N TS,
M E ET I NGS, A N D R EC EP T IONS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012
COAMFTE ACCREDITATION SEMINAR
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Programs seeking Initial Accreditation and Renewal
of Accreditation are highly recommended to attend
this three-hour workshop addressing the accreditation
process, interpretation and application of accreditation
standards, and preparation and submission of a self-study.
The workshop is conducted by the Commissioners and
accreditation staff and includes a ‘hands-on’ component
where participants can review examples of self-study
excerpts; ask questions about accreditation standards;
and gain an understanding of how to prepare a self-study
document. Any administrators and faculty members from
programs seeking accreditation or reaccreditation are
welcome to attend.
Interested in attending? Be the first one to RSVP to
[email protected] with the subject line ‘COAMFTE
Accreditation Seminar‘ by August 1, 2012.
CE Credit is not available for this seminar.
COAMFTE SITE VISITOR TRAINING
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Site Visits are an integral part of the COAMFTE
accreditation process. Volunteers participating on site
visits serve as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the Commission
on Accreditation and dedicate their time and hard work
conducting on-site reviews that assist the Commission in
its work.
Site Visits are generally scheduled in the Spring,
March 15 – May 15 and in the Fall, September 15 –
December 15 and occur over a two-day period, Monday
and Tuesday (travel days are Sunday and Wednesday).
Preparation materials, including program Self-Study
materials and any additional documentation submitted by
a program are sent to Site Visitors for their review and
preparation prior to the site visit.
This three-hour training is for academicians and
practitioners interested in conducting COAMFTE
accreditation site visits. Review and approval of
credentials, as well as completion of “At Home Training”,
are required prior to attending this workshop. This Training
can also be used as a refresher for all site visitors who
have not attended a site visit or training over the course of
three consecutive years and could lose their active status.
Interested in attending? Be the first one to RSVP to
[email protected] with the subject line ‘Site Visitor Training‘
by August 1, 2012.
CE Credit is not available for this training.
DIVISIONAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING
AND DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE AAMFT
DIVISION LEADERS
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
This AAMFT leadership training is free to division
leaders and prospective division leaders. Participants
must register with the AAMFT division affairs staff
([email protected]). If you are not a division leader
and are interested in learning more about leadership,
please contact your division’s President or PresidentElect about attending the conference. A directory of
contact information for the divisions can be found on the
AAMFT’s web site at www.aamft.org.
CE credit is not available for this session.
EXHIBIT HALL GRAND OPENING
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Join fellow conference participants for fun, door prizes,
and complimentary refreshments at the grand opening of
the Exhibit Hall. This year’s Exhibit Hall will feature great
publications, excellent resource tools, and must have
educational products. Meet representative from MFT
programs and universities. Visit the AAMFT booth for
tools to help build your future in marriage and
family therapy.
AAMFT ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
AAMFT members are invited to attend the Association’s
annual meeting. The agenda will include the financial
report and reports from the Board of Directors, the
Treasurer, the Executive Director, and the Elections
Council. This event is limited to AAMFT members only.
I believe that the conference
was outstanding and feel
very privileged to have all the
knowledge I have gained and
to have such a wonderful and
supportive community to interact
with. Thank you so much for all
the hard work that you do on
every member’s behalf!
2011 Annual
Conference Attendee
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SPECI A L E V E N TS,
M E ET I NGS, A N D R EC EP T IONS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012
BOARD DINNER AND AWARD PRESENTATION
8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Join the AAMFT Board of Directors for dinner and the
annual awards presentation. You’ll enjoy a bit of Southern
cooking with a twist for dinner that is sure to satisfy even
the pickiest of appetites. After the meal the Board will
honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions
to the field of marriage and family therapy and the
association. Tickets for this event may be purchased
when you register for an additional $50.00 per person.
NORTH CAROLINA JAMBOREE
9:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
North Carolina stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the
east to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west. Join us
for a night of dancing, socializing and fun North Carolina
style! Held immediately after the Board Dinner and
Awards presentation this event is free of charge and open
to all conference participants. The band will keep your
toes tapping while you try your hand at bass fishing,
stock car racing and hanging ten. Don’t miss out on the
chance to relax, laugh and let loose!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012
PRESENTER NETWORKING RECEPTION
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Do you have a favorite presenter? Do you happen to
have their book? Purchase (if publisher is available onsite)
or bring your favorite book and have it signed by the
presenter. Enjoy complimentary refreshments as you
network and make invaluable contacts with our experts.
JMFT CONSULTATION
The editor of the Journal of Marital and
Family Therapy, Fred Piercy, and the Associate
Editors will be available during the conference
for consultations. These meetings are for
authors who would like to have specific advice
about their paper ideas. You may make an
appointment by calling 540-818-4935 or email
Fred Piercy at [email protected].
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AAMFT SHOWCASE: A SPOTLIGHT ON
DIVISIONS & ACCREDITED PROGRAMS
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Meet with division board representatives to discuss what’s
going on in your home state or province, and learn how
you can get involved in local leadership. Also visit with
representatives from COAMFTE accredited and candidacy
status MFT programs and learn about their programs.
CON T I N U I NG EDUC AT ION
The AAMFT Annual Conference is approved to provide
23 contact hours of continuing education for marriage and
family therapists and allied professions by most major
mental health organizations, including:
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL
WORKERS (NASW)
The AAMFT is approved by the American Psychological
Association to sponsor continuing education for
psychologists. The AAMFT maintains responsibility for
this program and its contents.
This program has been approved for Category 1
Continuing Education for re-licensure, in accordance
with 258 CMR. Continuing education at the AAMFT
Annual Conference is accepted by all state licensing
boards for marriage and family therapy and many other
regulatory boards and organizations. Please check directly
with the board or organization for continuing education
requirements. Contact information for MFT state licensure
and certification boards can be found at www.aamft.org.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ALCOHOLISM AND
DRUG ABUSE COUNSELORS (NAADAC)
Continuing education hours are verified on a contact hour
basis as follows:
NATIONAL BOARD OF CERTIFIED
COUNSELORS (NBCC)
• Pre-Conference Institute: 5 hours
• Workshops: 2 hours for each of the four
workshop sessions
• Seminar: 3 hours for the Sunday Seminar
• Plenary Sessions: 1.5 hours for each of the three plenary
sessions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning.
• Saturday Afternoon Plenary: 1 hour
• Research Poster Session: 1.5 hours
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL
ASSOCIATION (APA)
The AAMFT is approved by the NAADAC Approved
Education Provider Program. The AAMFT provider
number is 000160.
The AAMFT is recognized by NBCC to offer continuing
education for National Certified Counselors. The AAMFT
adheres to NBCC Continuing Education Guidelines.
(NBCC #5209)
Participants earn continuing education credit for
participation in conference events only listed above.
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2012 PL E NA RY SE S SIONS
THURSDAY AFTERNOON
PARADOXES AND
CONTRADICTIONS: MY TIME
AS SURGEON GENERAL
Joycelyn Elders, MD
The role of women in society and
families continues to evolve, perhaps
more quickly than before. This evolution
crashes headlong into the wall of
resistance of orthodoxy in the United
States. The health and education of any nation relates
directly to the health and education of its women.
We must use multiple strategies to improve sexual
health in America and to evolve the role of women by
promoting a change in attitudes.
Multiple strategies will be discussed as they relate to
the evolving roles of women in our family. Dr. Elders
will discuss this through her own story of growing up in
America, serving on the faculty of a teaching university, as
director of a state health department, as Surgeon General
of the US, and meeting and speaking with a cross-section
of America. She will also explore the tensions innate in
the fact that we are sexual beings from birth until death
and yet we refuse to educate our youth about their own
sexuality. She believes that there is too much at stake for
us to continue to maintain a quaint silence; ignorance has
been neither blissful nor effective in prevention of disease
or unplanned pregnancy, and the development of an
inclusive society.
Dr. M. Joycelyn Elders was the 15th US Surgeon General
and first African-American woman to hold that post. She
is now a Distinguished Professor of Public Health at the
University of Arkansas School of Public Health and a
Distinguished Professor at the Clinton School of Public
Policy. She has been recognized with the National Coalition
of 100 Black Women’s Candace Award for Health Science,
the De Lee Humanitarian Award, and the American
Medical Association’s Dr. Nathan Davis Awards among
many others. Her current projects include working with
the University of Minnesota Medical School to advance
comprehensive science-based sexual health information
and training for allied health care providers through the
Joycelyn Elders Chair in Sexual Health Education. Of all
her achievements, Dr. Elders has said she is most proud of
her family, including her spouse and two sons.
FRIDAY MORNING
SPICE AND DICE:
PROFUSIONS OF GENDER
IN A POSTMODERN WORLD
Mary Gergen, PhD
What is a Woman, a Girl, a Boy, a Man?
How shall these questions be answered?
Various orientations to gender have
important implications within therapy.
This plenary will describe and evaluate
these orientations as they have been developed in
feminist psychology: the empirical perspective, a feminist
standpoint position, and the postmodern.
The empiricist position defines gender as a socialized overlay
on a biological substratum. The goals are to diagnose and
treat, and help clients adapt to their normative positions
in society. Feminist Standpoint position presumes that
each gender is clearly defined. It emphasizes relationships,
without losing the authenticity of the basic self. Therapeutic
goals bolster feminine values, work to overcome oppressive
male-dominated social structures, emphasize relational
values, and support self-esteem and self-integrity.
Postmodern Feminist Position is the most ambiguous
in terms of defining genders. Sex, gender, and sexual
orientation are socially subscribed categories open for
negotiation. This orientation is congenial to queer theory,
multiple perspectives, and gender bending. Therapy goals
are created to support acceptance of ambiguity, multiplicity,
multi-being, and relational networks to engage with and
support persons. They may also include questioning of
certainty about social labels, reduced hierarchy, avoiding
diagnosis by involving dialogue, collaborative activities and
performativity. Critical controversies involve questions of
self, identity, and gender-related distress.
Mary Gergen is Professor Emerita of Psychology and
Women’s Studies at Penn State University, Brandywine,
as well as a founder of the Taos Institute, a non-profit
educational organization dedicated to the integration of
social constructionist ideas with diverse professional
practices throughout the world. She serves as an advisor
to doctoral candidates in a joint international program with
Tilburg University, The Netherlands. With a strong interest
in feminist gerontology, she is a co-editor of Positive
Aging newsletter. Her major works are involved at the
intersection of feminist theory and social constructionist
ideas. She has written and edited eight books, including
Feminist Reconstructions in Psychology: Narrative,
Gender and Performance, Feminist Thought and the
Structure of Knowledge, and Playing with Purpose:
Adventures in Performative Social Science, with Kenneth
J. Gergen. Her most recent book is Retiring but not
Shy, Feminist Psychologists Create their Post-Careers,
edited with Ellen Cole.
AAMFT wants you to join the conversation about this year’s Plenary Sessions. Bring your smartphone, tablet or
laptop for special opportunities to participate. As you interact in social media while at the conference be sure to
share your learning experiences. For Twitter use #AAMFT12.
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SATURDAY MORNING
THE BEST IS YET TO COME: LOVE,
SEX AND GROWING OLDER
Gina Ogden, PhD
Does sex have to go downhill with age?
For many women, growing older can
be sexually liberating—once we pay
attention to what we want instead of
living up to others’ expectations.
Gina Ogden has pioneered an integrative approach to
sexual experience that expands women’s awareness and
helps therapists become more empathic and effective.
Her work is based on four main principles that confront
dominant, negative messages that are prevalent about
sex—especially as we grow older. This presentation
offers practices to initiate client conversations about
sexual changes that arise during and after menopause—
especially regarding body image, desire, orientation,
gender, and shifting notions of function and dysfunction.
You’ll hear the latest research on hormones and
lubrications, along with case examples that span a wide
range of relationship dynamics. You’ll explore a heart-
opening, user-friendly template that invites your clients to
update their sexual self-image, increase their capacity for
love, creativity, and compassion, transcend guilt, shame,
and “good-girls-don’t” messages, and heal the sexual
wounds of violence, abuse, and compulsivity.
Dr. Gina Ogden is a licensed marriage and family therapist
and a Clinical Fellow of AAMFT, as well as a sex therapy
diplomate, researcher, and author. She conducts retreats
and trainings internationally, and her teleseminars are
attended by healthcare practitioners worldwide. She has
appeared across the media from talk radio to the Oprah
Winfrey Show. Her nationwide survey, “Integrating
Sexuality and Spirituality” (ISIS), is unique in exploring the
emotions and meanings of sexual experience. Her many
collaborations include contributions to the U.S. Surgeon
General’s 2000 report on healthy sexuality and to the last
three editions of Our Bodies, Ourselves. Her latest books
are The Heart and Soul of Sex, The Return of Desire, and
Women Who Love Sex. She is currently completing two
books for professionals: Expanding the Practice of Sex
Therapy and Sex Therapy Meets Shamanism, and also a
mind-opening picture book for the young at heart:
The ABCs of Love and Sex.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
FROM PRINCESSES TO
POP-TARTS: WHAT THE NEW
CULTURE OF GIRLHOOD MEANS
ABOUT GIRLS AND THE GROWNUPS WHO CARE ABOUT THEM
Peggy Orenstein
Ten years ago, concerns about
premature sexualization, and its
attendant risks to girls, focused on
twelve or thirteen year olds. No more. The new pink and
pretty “girlie-girl” culture encourages girls from infancy
onward to believe that how they look matters more than
who they are.
In this plenary presentation, noted author and
provocative thinker Peggy Orenstein will discuss what
she calls “the Kardashianization of girlhood”: how
the culture urges girls at ever younger ages to define
themselves from the outside in, to see identity itself as
a performance. She will connect the dots between the
upsurge in princess products among preschoolers, the
rise in cosmetic use among 6-10 year olds, the popularity
of “tween” idols, and the ways regular girls present
themselves on Facebook.
Even as new educational and professional opportunities
appear before today’s girls, so does a path equating
identity with image, self-expression with appearance,
pleasure with pleasing, and sexuality with sexualization.
Ms. Orenstein underscores the potential negative impact
of the new girlie-girl culture, but argues persuasively that
with awareness and recognition, parents, therapists and
advocates can effectively counterbalance its influence.
Peggy Orenstein is the author of the New York Times
bestsellers, Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches
from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture and
Waiting for Daisy as well as Flux: Women on Sex, Work,
Kids, Love and Life in a Half-Changed World and the
classic SchoolGirls: Young Women,Self-Esteem and
the Confidence Gap. A contributing writer for The New
York Times Magazine, Peggy has also written for such
publications as The Los Angeles Times, The Washington
Post, Vogue, Elle, Discover, More, Mother Jones, Salon,
O: The Oprah Magazine, and The New Yorker, and
has contributed commentaries to NPR’s “All Things
Considered.” Her articles have been anthologized multiple
times, including in The Best American Science Writing.
Peggy was recognized for her “Outstanding Coverage
of Family Diversity,” by the Council on Contemporary
Families and received a “Books For A Better Life Award”
for Waiting for Daisy.
AAMFT wants you to join the conversation about this year’s Plenary Sessions. Bring your smartphone, tablet or
laptop for special opportunities to participate. As you interact in social media while at the conference be sure to
share your learning experiences. For Twitter use #AAMFT12.
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T HU R SDAY, SEP T E M BER 13, 2012
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 • 9:00 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.
LUNCH BREAK (ON YOUR OWN) 12:00 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.
100 A
PPROVED SUPERVISOR REFRESHER COURSE
Michele S. Smith
AAMFT Approved Supervisors must take a comprehensive 5-hour refresher course prior to the renewal of their
designation. This institute is designed specifically to meet that requirement, and to keep participants up-to-date
on clinical MFT supervision practice. The course will include case examples, didactic and interactional instruction
methods. It will focus on current resources available to supervisors, management of ethical and legal issues likely
to arise during supervision, utilization of supervision contracts, cultural competence in supervision and therapy,
and discussion of the current AAMFT Approved Supervisor requirements.
101 S
EXUALITY COUNSELING AND THERAPY: FOUNDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
John Stephen Southern & Rochelle Cade
This institute is devoted to building advanced clinical skills in the research-based practice of sexual counseling
and therapy. The session will provide basic information about sexual health and emphasize connections among
intimacy, love, and desire. Therapists will learn treatment models for sexual dysfunction, addiction, and boundary
violation. The institute will include the examination of professional attitudes, values, and issues.
102 T
HE USE OF PLAY IN FAMILY THERAPY
Trudy Post Sprunk
The institute will provide marriage and family therapists the opportunity to learn and experience the advantages of
including children in family therapy using Family Play Therapy techniques. Through the use of video, discussion,
small group opportunities, and lecture, attendees will explore a variety of simple, easy approaches that integrate
Play Therapy with Family Therapy.
103 IN OR OUT? DISCERNMENT COUNSELING FOR COUPLES
William Doherty & Steven Harris
Couples and therapists often get stuck when spouses show up uncertain about whether to try therapy, let alone
whether to stay married. This institute will present a field-tested protocol for “discernment counseling” that
helps couples explore the decision about divorcing or trying a course of therapy and other services to see if they
restore their marriage to health.
104 W
OMEN’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: DEALING WITH EMPTY ARMS: WOMEN AND INFERTILITY
Kami Schwerdtfeger, Bobbi Miller, Andrew Brimhall, Michelle Engblom-Deglmann, Grace Wilson &
Lauren Oseland
Reproductive problems affect a significant number of women. An overview of research on women’s experiences
of reproductive problems will be presented. Clinical approaches based in trauma, ambiguous loss, and
attachment theory, and a case study will be used to prepare clinicians to conceptualize and treat reproductive
related losses in the lives of women from a relational lens.
105 Q
UALITATIVE RESEARCH: ADVENTURES IN THE
PYRAMIDS OF EVIDENCE
Ronald Chenail
In MFT clinical research circles, qualitative researchers often find their work marginalized to
a position outside the hierarchical clinical evidence pyramids or at best relegated to a lower
quality level. To address this situation, participants will learn how to incorporate rigorenhanced qualitative research methodologies into interventional, observational,
and review designs leading to enhanced MFT evidence and practice.
106 B
UILDING CROSS-DISCIPLINARY BRIDGES FOR CLIENT SUCCESS
Lee Johnson, Jerry Gale, Megan Ford & Joseph Goetz
Therapists are often unprepared to assess and intervene in issues of finances,
nutrition, home environments, and legal issues. Using literature from neuroscience
and other disciplines, and experiences from our interdisciplinary clinic, this institute will
provide strategies and resources for working with other professionals. These strategies will
increase the therapist’s client base, collaborate with other disciplines, and improve client outcomes.
CONFERENCE TRACK KEY
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WOMEN AND THE MILITARY
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WOMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
T HU R SDAY, SEP T E M BER 13, 2012
107 P
RACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF MINDFULNESS AND MENTALIZATION
Glenn Veenstra, Jr.
Participants will learn to use mindfulness to perceive relationship interactions from new perspectives.
Individual meditative techniques will be outlined and explained in terms of the neuroscience of the mind so core
mindfulness aspects can be abstracted and applied in more practical relational ways. Then ways of translating
the perspective into new maps for action by mentalization improvements will be illustrated.
108 W
OMEN AND THE MILITARY: RETURNING FEMALE VETERANS AND
AFTER-DEPLOYMENT STRUGGLES
Jerry Powell, Shannon Cate & Deborah Bell
This institute will help clinicians understand the differences between post combat readjustment, PTSD and mild
traumatic brain injury and different approaches to treat each variance and how it impacts women returning from
combat. Participants will better understand unique assessment tools available for after-combat female veterans
and how to implement these instruments into therapy.
109 W
ALK-IN/SINGLE SESSIONS IN AGENCIES AND PRIVATE PRACTICES
Arnold Slive & Monte Bobele
Adding walk-in/single session capabilities to existing practices is an opportunity to increase services and
decrease down-time. This institute is designed to provide a variety of practice settings with the tools to take
advantage of this service delivery paradigm. It will describe how to conduct effective single sessions and
organize single session services in agencies and private offices.
110 C
REATIVE GROUP ACTIVITIES: LEARNING FROM THE QUILTING BEE
Jannette Sturm-Mexic
Borrowing from the collective process in traditional women’s quilting bees and sewing circles, this institute will
introduce attendees to creative approaches for therapeutic group work grounded in Group Systems Theory.
This session will provide attendees with hands-on group experiences using creative activities developed for
group members of various ages attending group for different reasons.
111 C
OUPLE THERAPIES FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL AGGRESSION
Norman Epstein, Carol Werlinich, John Hart, BreAnna Davis, Morgan Childers, Deanna Pruitt,
David S. Curtis & Andrew J. Dauler
This presentation will describe and demonstrate assessment and treatment with couples experiencing
psychological and mild to moderate physical aggression. Guidelines for using cognitive-behavioral, emotionallyfocused, and narrative couple therapies will be described and compared, as well as ethical considerations and
gender-related issues involved in conjoint treatment of aggression. Assessment and treatment methods will be
demonstrated through video examples.
112 S
UPERVISION TRACK: LAYING A FOUNDATION FOR YOUR SUPERVISION
Mary Hotvedt
In this institute, participants will learn about the four roles of supervisors described by common factors research.
They will also begin to formulate their own styles of supervision consistent with their therapeutic modalities and
philosophies. We will explore the difference between an “eclectic” and an “integrated” mode of supervision.
We will look at how to operationalize one’s model through the four roles of the supervisor. The workshop, and
the whole series, will be both didactic and experiential, encouraging individual participation as much as possible.
(This institute addresses learning objectives 1 and 2.)
113 R
EPRODUCTIVE MENTAL HEALTH: THE MYTH OF MATERNAL BLISS
Diana Lynn Barnes
A woman’s experience of pregnancy and motherhood is embedded in social and cultural ideology.
Unrealistic expectations imposed by societal myths have a significant impact on her mental health.
This institute will address their impact on a woman’s vulnerability to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Risk factors will be discussed along with therapeutic approaches to treatment.
114 Y
OUNG, GIFTED, AND TRAPPED: BLACK GIRLS AND THERAPY
Kenneth Hardy, Renata Carneiro & Christiana Awosan
Black girls often find their psyches and souls torn apart at the intersection of racism and sexism. Consequently,
many Black girls tend to suffer from the wounds of an ‘assaulted sense of self’. This session will provide an
overview of ‘assaulted sense of self’ that maligns the lives of Black girls. This topic will be explored as well as
effective treatment strategies will be provided.
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T HU R SDAY, SEP T E M BER 13, 2012
115 C
AREGIVING WOMEN: SURVIVING ELDER CARE TSUNAMI
Venus Masselam, Alexsandra Papura-Gill & Alexis McKenzie
Increased longevity and the growing number of aging adults are changing caregiving demands on family
members leading to increased morbidity and mortality of caregivers. This institute will help therapists understand
their own issues and views of this stage. Practical considerations for therapists seeking employment in this area
will be presented.
OPENING PLENARY SESSION • 4:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.
PARADOXES AND CONTRADICTIONS: MY TIME AS SURGEON GENERAL
Joycelyn Elders, MD, 15th US Surgeon General
Dr. Elders will address topics essential to the health and well-being of women, our nation,
and our profession. Marriage and Family Therapists hold the power to enact important change
in families and communities, and Dr. Elders will provide insight into potential approaches
while also sharing her own personal and professional journey. Bring your smartphone, tablet
or laptop for special opportunities to interact and participate during this inspiring plenary.
AAMFT wants you to join the conversation about this year’s Plenary Sessions. Bring your smartphone, tablet or
laptop for special opportunities to participate. As you interact in social media while at the conference be sure to
share your learning experiences. For Twitter use #AAMFT12.
JOIN US IN THE NEW EXHIBIT HALL THIS YEAR.
We will roll out the red carpet to welcome attendees and treat you like the star that you are! The Hall will
also host discussion group areas where members can meet and discuss topics in the MFT relevant to
practice or educational development. An open layout of exhibitors allows you to float and mingle while
viewing new products and services, unobstructed from walls and aisles. In addition to the vendors who
offer tools, software, therapeutic games, toys and professional development tools we are also bringing in
local vendors who will bring the non-MFT related products marketplace to you! Let the hall serve as your
break from sessions. Events and receptions will be held here serving light refreshments and great times!
KEY HIGHLIGHTS IN THE HALL THIS YEAR INCLUDE:
• The AAMFT Showcase
• Research Poster Session Displays
• Author and Presenter Meet and Greet (new)
• AAMFT Think Tank Discussion Groups (new)
Don’t forget the Exhibit Hall ‘Passport to Prizes,’
and have each vendor sign it to participate in the grand
prize drawing for a free registration at the AAMFT Annual
Conference in 2013 as well as other prizes provided by
vendors and exhibitors.
SEE YOU IN CHARLOTTE!
CONFERENCE TRACK KEY
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WOMEN AND THE MILITARY
SUPERVISION
WOMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
Clinical
Updates
for
T HU R SDAY,
SEP T E M BER
13, 2012
Family Therapists:
Research and Treatment Approaches for
Issues Affecting Today’s Families, Volume 4
NEW
Stop by the AAMFT Booth to purchase your copy of this
latest title or save by purchasing the full set (volumes 1 – 4).
Topics Included in Volume 4:
Medical Topics
Adult Cancer
Autoimmune Diseases in Women
Bariatric Surgery
Childhood Obesity: The Epidemic of Today’s Youth
Diabetes
Parkinson’s Disease
Pregnancy and Delivery
Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Attacks (PNEA)
Sexual Health
Adult Attachment
Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Bullying
Families of Juvenile Sex Offenders
Financial Strain on Families:
Money Matters! in Marriage and Family Therapy
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Problem Gambling: Taking Chances
Same-sex Parents and their Children
Sibling Violence
Today’s families face a plethora of challenges and crises and they expect their family therapist to
be able to help. Amid the multitude of clinical issues that may present themselves in your day
to day practice, The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy believes that family
therapists deserve a concise resource for the latest in research, treatment options, and consumer
resources. The Clinical Updates for Family Therapists, Volume 4 is that resource. The latest
volume in the Clinical Updates series, this book offers you an easy to digest reference, covering
some of today’s most common clinical issues. Each chapter provides a clear overview of the latest
clinical wisdom, ongoing research, and a list of resources.
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F R IDAY, SEP T E M BER 14, 2012
FRIDAY PLENARY SESSION • 9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.
SPICE AND DICE: PROFUSIONS OF GENDER IN A POSTMODERN WORLD
Mary Gergen, PhD, Professor Emerita of Psychology and Women’s Studies at Penn State
University, Brandywine, and a founder of the Taos Institute
Dr. Gergen brings her renowned perspectives on orientations of feminist psychology to this
plenary session as she discusses the various concepts of gender. What is gender, and how shall
we go about answering these questions of self and identity? Bring your smartphone, tablet or
laptop for special opportunities to interact, participate and share your thoughts on gender.
AAMFT wants you to join the conversation about this year’s Plenary Sessions. Bring your smartphone, tablet or
laptop for special opportunities to participate. As you interact in social media while at the conference be sure to
share your learning experiences. For Twitter use #AAMFT12.
MORNING WORKSHOPS • 10:45 A.M. – 12:45 P.M.
200 T
HE MENTAL WORLD OF WOMEN’S SEXUALITY
David Schnarch
Women’s sexuality is complex, diverse, and profound. Rarely is this fully appreciated in the professional
literature, because many women’s sexual response patterns do not fit conventional stereotypes of female
sexuality. This workshop will examine various aspects of the mental world of women’s sexuality, from normal
sexual response to intimacy during sex to experiences of sexual abuse.
201 T
HE NEED FOR MEASUREMENT TOOLS SPECIFIC TO SAME-SEX COUPLES
Benjamin Caldwell & Angela Kahn
Most scales of relationship satisfaction and stability were designed for, and validated with, heterosexual couples.
Research utilizing these existing measures with same-sex couples makes heterosexist assumptions about how
these couples relate. This presentation will utilize recent research findings to justify development of measures
specific to same-sex couples, honoring those areas where the constructs of satisfaction and stability differ.
202 T
REATING ADOLESCENTS WITH REACTIVE ATTACHMENT
Jeffrey Jackson
Although some evidence-based treatments exist for young children and adults with attachment-related issues,
there are no such treatments for adolescents with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). This session will review
RAD assessment procedures, evaluate RAD treatment modalities, and present a family therapy model for treating
adolescents with RAD founded on attachment theory, systems theory, and evidence-based RAD interventions.
203 S
UPERVISING RELIGIOUS AFFILIATED STUDENTS
Mary S. Green & Ben Erwin
Thank you. Great
conference. Great topic.
Great plenary speakers.
Great workshop leaders.
Very interesting, fun, and
useful for clinical practice.
This workshop will give participants the opportunity to explore
their own religious beliefs and potential religious bias and the
effect on supervisory and clinical practices. Participants will gain
dyadic tools and skills to assist in creating a safe environment
and addressing the beliefs of religious affiliated students who
may feel marginalized because of their faith tradition.
204 W
OMEN’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: THE PERFECT
STORM: GENDER, CULTURE AND EATING DISORDERS
Margo Maine
2011 Annual
Conference Attendee
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WOMEN’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
m a g a z i n e
The single best predictor of risk to develop an eating disorder
is simply being female. The escalation and ongoing gender
disparity in eating disorders necessitates a biopsychosocial
framework and gender-informed conceptualizations, theories,
research, and interventions. Integrating research and practice,
this workshop will empower family therapists to develop
gender-informed competence and skills specific to the
treatment of eating disorders.
WOMEN AND THE MILITARY
SUPERVISION
WOMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
F R IDAY, SEP T E M BER 14, 2012
205 A
SSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF POSTPARTUM OCD
Licia Freeman
Postpartum OCD is one of the most misdiagnosed and misunderstood disorders that affect women of
childbearing age. It affects not only the mother, but the mother-infant attachment, and consequently, the entire
family. This presentation will explore the bio-psycho-social etiological aspects of PPOCD, the different symptoms
associated with it, assessment tools, and successful treatment utilizing evidence-based approaches.
206 F
INANCIAL DISCOURSES IN FAMILY THERAPY SESSIONS
Sally St. George, Daniel Wulff, Tom Strong & Tanya Mudry
This workshop will focus on identifying the patterns of financial discourses featuring in conflictual relations within
families as learned from a research study conducted at a family therapy center, and highlighting ways family
therapists may skillfully address these conflicts, especially those involving wives/mothers.
207 A
N INTRODUCTION TO POSTMODERN FEMINIST THERAPY
Megan Murphy, Sharon Fitzgerald, Melissa McVicker, Janet Robertson, Jeni Wahlig & Joanne Grassia
Postmodern feminist therapy questions the dominant discourses that clients bring to the therapy room.
This workshop will introduce concepts central to postmodern feminist therapy to participants, with an emphasis
on intersectionality in both clients’ and therapists’ constructed identities. Concepts around power will also be
explored, including the therapists’ power to define acceptable discourses within the therapy room.
208 W
OMEN AND THE MILITARY: WOMEN IN THE MILITARY: MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA,
COMBAT TRAUMA
Gail Heather Greener & Dan A. Ratliff
About 15% of returning female service members report some form of sexual trauma during their deployment and
are 60% to 150% more likely to report mental health problems. Participants will learn to assess combat trauma and
military sexual trauma among female service members. Case studies will be used to illustrate clinical issues that
arise when treating this unique population and participants will learn how to use simple screening questions for
military sexual assault with female vets or service members.
209 S
TUDYING YOUR OWN PRACTICE: TRACKING COMMON FACTORS IN MFT
Eli Karam, Sean Davis & Douglas Sprenkle
This workshop will focus infusing a common factors approach into traditional
practice of MFT. Participants will learn how to monitor progress and important
practice patterns and enhance client motivation and strengths from a
common factors lens.
210 T
HE DIGITAL SESSION: ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Katherine Hertlein & Markie Blumer
This workshop will give participants the opportunity to gain
an understanding of common cyber issues that are seen in
clinical practice. Findings from recent research investigating
the use of cyber technologies among family therapists
will be provided. Participants will also discuss ethical
considerations related to cyber technologies in practice
and review the ethical codes and guidelines related to
such practices.
211 B
RIDGING NEUROPHYSIOLOGY WITH SYSTEMS
THEORY AND PRACTICE
Allison Reisbig, Kadie Ausherman & Zachary Breunig
This workshop will demonstrate how heart-brain communication impacts
perception and emotional experience and how Systems-based theoretical
models can be enhanced through an emphasis on this psychophysiological
process. Participants will learn how research-based principles of
neurophysiology and self-regulation tools can be used to enhance
the practice of marriage and family therapy.
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F R IDAY, SEP T E M BER 14, 2012
212 S
UPERVISION TRACK: BUILDING THE GROUND FLOOR
Mary Hotvedt
Ultimately the supervisor/supervisee working relationship and the supervisor/therapist/client relationship
is the way the supervisee learns her or his craft. These relationships have changed over a couple
generations to become more collaborative. How does the supervisor develop the working
relationship with the therapist and also with a client with whom the supervisor may have
no contact? How does the client become a “co-trainer” and influence the supervisory
process? How does the supervisor work with crisis in the therapeutic as well as
the supervisory system? (This workshop addresses learning objectives 3
and 4.)
213 CLINICAL TRAINING: AN EQUINE ASSISTED APPROACH
Shelley Green, Lorisa Lewis & Robert Keever
The workshop will describe a unique Equine Assisted Family Therapy
program developed as a university/community partnership. The first of
its kind in a family therapy graduate program, this model has been further
developed into a comprehensive training, educational, and supervision model
for interns and experienced clinicians. Implications for incorporating equine
assisted work in a variety of settings will be discussed.
214 C
HANGE IN GENDERED WAYS OF PURSUE/WITHDRAW
IN COUPLE THERAPY
Margaret Keiley, Scott Ketring, Kimberly Gregson, Yesenia Perez &
Rebecca Goodman
Using physiological data collected during critical events in couples’ therapy over multiple sessions,
this workshop will examine the change in emotional physiological reactivity over the course of therapy as it
relates to behavioral and cognitive change in the partners. The workshop will illustrate how to use this method
and what our results revealed.
215 W
OMEN’S RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS WITH PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED MALES
Michelle Engblom-Deglmann, Jenni Odell & Sarah Ball
Mate selection and marital adjustment are unique experiences for couples wherein the male partner has a
physical impairment. Specific challenges for women in these relationships include sexual intimacy, dating and
mate selection, and caretaking concerns. A recent qualitative study reveals the clinical implications in working
with spinal cord injury couples. A systemic perspective will be used to explore these topics.
216 W
OMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN: 16 AND NOT
PREGNANT: PREVENTING TEEN PREGNANCY
Erin Schaefer
16 & Pregnant. Teen Mom. These popular shows on MTV are
debated as to whether they glamorize teen pregnancy or show
the harsh reality of the experience. But how do we empower
teens to take control of their sexual health and romantic
relationships? This workshop will outline a systemic, relational
approach to preventing teen pregnancy that has demonstrated
considerable success.
I really enjoyed
the conference.
It was very informative.
It was also a great
networking opportunity.
2011 Annual
Conference Attendee
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WOMEN’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
m a g a z i n e
WOMEN AND THE MILITARY
SUPERVISION
WOMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
F R IDAY, SEP T E M BER 14, 2012
OPEN FORUMS • 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Open forums are informal discussions among MFTs who
share an interest in a topic. The facilitator will encourage
networking and sharing of ideas among those who
participate. Continuing education is not available for these
discussion groups.
AALANA – AFRICAN, ASIAN, LATIN AMERICAN,
NATIVE AMERICAN
Norma Mtume, Debra Nixon, Brent Taylor, Moderators
Students, faculty, supervisors, mentors, and other
practitioners: Join us as we discuss Embracing Diversity
Throughout the Spectrum of MFT. We will review topics
from the last two forums and develop action items for the
coming year. Your input is welcomed, valued, and needed.
ACCREDITATION FORUM
Join the Commissioners and accreditation staff in a one
hour discussion on COAMFTE accreditation related
issues. Ask questions and share your experience with
outcomes based Version 11 Accreditation Standards.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ABUSE,
AND TRAUMA IN THE FAMILY
Jeffrey L. Todahl, Moderator
Domestic Violence, Abuse, and Trauma in the Family
focuses on issues of abuse in clinical practice.
This open conversation is an opportunity to collaborate
with colleagues from many regions toward an increased
understanding of common challenges, solutions, and
abuse and trauma healing resources. Topics generally
include universal screening for intimate partner violence,
innovations in trauma healing, systemic perspectives on
abuse, working with people who behave abusively,
and community-based prevention.
EATING DISORDERS
Margo Maine, Moderator
Dr. Margo Maine, eating disorders specialist and author,
leads a discussion of the most recent trends in the field
of eating disorders, such as the increased incidence in
children, adult women, men and diverse populations
as well as treatment controversies. Format is a Q/A
discussion so the audience shapes the agenda.
FAMILY THERAPY WITH CHILDREN
Jason H. Edwards and Volker K. Thomas, Moderators
QUEER AFFIRMATIVE CAUCUS
Kristen E. Benson, Moderator
The purpose of the Queer Affirmative Caucus is to
provide an open and inclusive space for lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and allied AAMFT
members and affiliates to challenge discrimination,
advance affirmative research, and develop supportive
and affirmative clinical work with LGBTQI clients.
The Queer Affirmative Caucus meets annually during the
AAMFT conference, and corresponds using various social
networking mediums throughout the year.
MFT NATIONAL EXAMINATION AND
SUPERVISION FOR LICENSURE
Lois Paff Bergen, Moderator
This forum provides an opportunity for candidates
seeking an MFT State License to ask questions about the
MFT National Examination and to engage in interactive
discussion about standards to consider for supervisees
and supervisors involved in post degree supervision
leading to licensure.
MILITARY MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
COLLABORATIVE
Commander Brenda L. Gearhart, Moderator
MFTs are employed by the military. Other MFTs are
interested in working as providers with the military.
This forum will discuss tips for applying for positions
with the military, particularly with the U.S. Army.
And the Alliance for Military and Veteran Family Behavioral
Health Providers and how MFTs can join this Alliance.
The Alliance seeks to optimize the preparedness of MFTs
and other providers working to enhance the resilience,
recovery and reintegration of Service members, Veterans,
and their Family members and communities throughout
the military, post-military, and family life. Attendees
interested in military behavioral health issues are
encouraged to attend this forum.
TRAINING MFTS IN
CHURCH-AFFILIATED INSTITUTIONS
Claudia Grauf-Grounds, Moderator
Unique challenges and opportunities arise when MFTs
are trained in church-affiliated settings. Come to discuss,
identify resources and network.
The purpose of the forum is to promote ongoing
discussion, support, and collaboration among those
interested in family therapy with young and middle
childhood aged children. Relevant clinical, training,
and research related issues may be discussed.
AAMFT wants you to join the conversation. Bring your smartphone, tablet or laptop for special opportunities to
participate. As you interact in social media while at the conference be sure to share your learning experiences.
For Twitter use #AAMFT12.
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F R IDAY, SEP T E M BER 14, 2012
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS • 2:15 P.M. – 4:15 P.M.
300 E
XPECTATIONS, HOPE, AND ALLIANCE IN EARLY COUPLE THERAPY
Rachel B. Tambling & Shayne R. Anderson
Many factors contribute to successful outcomes in the early stages of couple therapy, including developing
a hopeful orientation and forming a therapeutic alliance. Integrating clinical and supervisory experience with
current knowledge, the presenters will outline strategies clinicians and supervisors can use to retain clients,
increase alliance, and improve client outcomes by enhancing motivation to change, managing expectations,
and developing hope.
301 INFUSING AND MAINTAINING HOPE DURING COUPLES THERAPY
David Ward
Hope is an essential component of successful couples therapy. In this workshop, participants will learn about the
multidimensional nature of hope, strategies to infuse their couples therapy sessions with hope, and strategies to
maintain ones own hope during difficult couples therapy cases.
302 N
AVIGATING THE BITTERSWEET JOURNEY: A PERSPECTIVE ON AGING
Larry Barlow
Americans are living longer than ever before. Families are searching for assistance navigating the difficult
and mostly unfamiliar pathways along the aging process. This workshop will provide therapists a narrative
perspective of the presenter’s own personal journey with his parents and contrast the journey of two client
families who have formed a collaborative partnership to successfully navigate these bittersweet years.
303 E
THICS IN ACTION: AN INTERACTIVE APPROACH TO TEACHING ETHICS
Bobbi Miller & Paul Springer
This interactive workshop will present a unique and innovative approach to teaching ethical decision making
to beginning therapists. Participants will learn about the development and implementation of an experiential
learning activity designed to challenge students to apply ethical decision making in real life time; thus making
ethics come to life.
304 W
OMEN’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: WOMEN AND HORMONES: IS IT JUST IN HER HEAD?
Linda Rio
Women’s bodies are complex and often misdiagnosed when something is truly wrong. Medical and mental
health often connect around hormonal system imbalances that are real, very common, and very impactful on
the body, the mind, family and social relationships. Participants will learn a basic understanding of the biological
purpose and function of the endocrine system specific to the female body and discuss how disorders of the
endocrine system in males or females can affect marital, family, and social relationship systems.
305 P
ROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND CULTURAL DISSONANCE: THE EXPERIENCE OF
BEING AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
Pieter le Roux & Seonhwa Lee
This workshop will discuss key factors in optimizing the training of international students with specific reference to
gender, culture, learning styles, clinical skills development, and professional identity. The process of determining
clinical readiness, providing supervision and appropriate mentoring, assessing clinical skills, and attending to the
self of the therapist will be presented.
306 T
HE CHANGING FACE OF ADDICTION TREATMENT FOR WOMEN
Meri Shadley
As opportunities increase for women, so does their vulnerability to utilize substances to manage pressures.
For many addicted women present struggles are magnified by the impact of physical trauma histories. Addiction
begins to define their identity, their relationships, and their response to substances. This workshop spotlights
recently developed trauma-informed treatment protocols for assisting addicted women and their families.
CONFERENCE TRACK KEY
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m a g a z i n e
WOMEN AND THE MILITARY
SUPERVISION
WOMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
F R IDAY, SEP T E M BER 14, 2012
307 INTEGRATIVE PROBLEM CENTERED METAFRAMEWORKS
Douglas Breunlin, William Russell & William Pinsof
This workshop presents the fundamentals of Integrative Problem Centered Metaframeworks (IPCM). IPCM is a
systemic and systematic synthesis of family, couple and individual therapies that provides guidelines to enable
therapists to traverse the complex clinical landscape of most cases. The presenters will articulate the building
blocks of the perspective that include: theoretical pillars, core concepts, guidelines, and blueprint for therapy.
308 W
OMEN AND THE MILITARY: HIS AND HER MILITARY MARRIAGE:
A BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL LOOK AT HEALTH
Melissa Lewis & Angela Lamson
This presentation will provide information on the current state of military marriages from both the husband
and wife’s perspective. The role of physiological stress response in the biopsychosocial health of military
dyads will be presented. Specifically, the role of the autonomic nervous system in marital and military stress
will be delineated.
309 C
LINICAL WORK WITH COMPULSIVE HOARDING IN FAMILIES
Jennifer Sampson & Janet Yeats
Compulsive hoarding affects up to six million Americans and their families, often causing distressed
relationships. Participants will learn about the current state of the research on compulsive hoarding which
includes an examination of the relationships between gender, attachment, unresolved loss, family dynamics,
and hoarding behavior. Theoretical background and information and guiding frameworks for clinical work with
this population.
310 M
AKING THE MFT PROFESSION FRIENDLIER TO WOMEN
Benjamin Caldwell
Although the MFT profession has been increasingly dominated by women in recent years, many still find
roadblocks in their career advancement due to policies and practices that disadvantage women, particularly with
children. This workshop will review more than 20 proposals from research and interviews that could be used to
make a successful career as an MFT more achievable to women.
311 IS IT YOU, ME OR ADHD? DATING AND MATING WITH ADHD
Cindy Lea
Millions of couples can’t understand why their lives together are so hard -- sometimes despite many attempts at
couples therapy. Undiagnosed adult ADHD is often the hidden culprit. The symptoms usually look like
anxiety, depression, or even laziness, selfishness, or lack of motivation. Learn to recognize when
this might be the case and what the top experts are finding effective.
312 S
UPERVISION TRACK: FROM DESIGN TO CONSTRUCTION
Mary Hotvedt
In this workshop, we will practice and discuss the ways supervision is actually
done, and the pros and cons of each arrangement. Academic, agency, and
private supervision settings will be covered as we explore live vs. taped
supervision, reviewing clinical conundrums, finding and using “the
teachable moment.” We will use the models of supervision to show
similarities and differences in conducting supervisory conversations.
(This workshop addresses learning objective 5.)
313 E
MPOWERING LATINAS THROUGH PARENTING
AND DV INTERVENTIONS
Jose Ruben Parra-Cardona, Michael Whitehead,
Ana Rocio Escobar-Chew, Kendal Holtrop,
Georgia Carpenter & Sara Lappan
Latina women continue to experience intense mental health
disparities due to lack of access to culturally relevant mental
health interventions. This workshop will combine research and
clinical presentations focused on parenting and DV interventions,
as well as interactive group discussions, in an effort to support
participants’ commitment to serve Latina women in research
and clinical practice.
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314 E
VERYDAY STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING ADHD AND DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
J. Matthew Orr
Participants will learn concrete systemic strategies that address everyday challenges posed by ADHD and
other common childhood problems, such as oppositionality and anxiety. Emphasis will be placed on methods
that focus on what parents and children can (vs. should) do, which promotes increased success in adapting to
situational demands as early as the first two sessions of treatment.
315 P
ROFESSIONAL SELF-CARE: KEYS TO CLINICIAN RESILIENCE
Kyle Killian
What predicts therapists’ resilience, compassion fatigue, and burnout when working with trauma survivors?
This workshop will focus on the rewards and stresses that are a part of the helping professions and presents
key factors associated with clinician health. Attendees will learn effective self-care strategies to enhance their
resilience and the quality of the services they provide others.
316 W
OMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN: THE MOM STORY: A NARRATIVE APPROACH
TO WORKPLACE REINTEGRATION
Michelle Kipick Cawn
This workshop will provide an overview of the trends in the area of workforce reintegration for women with
children, and support for a Narrative therapeutic approach. Practice strategies and multicultural dimensions will
be presented that outline how the therapist can address issues related to career penalties, nursing, post-partum
depression, separation anxiety, multiple family roles, emotional detachment, and childcare concerns.
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SUPERVISION
WOMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
F R IDAY, SEP T E M BER 14, 2012
RESEARCH POSTER
SESSION
4:30 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
The research poster session is an
opportunity to view and discuss the
latest work in the marriage and family
therapy field. Poster authors will be
available to discuss their research and
answer questions. Full descriptions
of each poster can be accessed at
www.aamft.org/annualconference.
ADDICTIONS/
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
1. Family Cohesion,
Emotional Distress,
Adolescents and Alcohol
Kristy Soloski
Micha Berryhill
Matthew Johnson
Marcos Mendez
Aaron Norton
ADOPTION/FOSTER CARE
2. Foster Care and Mental Health:
The Importance of Siblings
Armeda Stevenson Wojciak
Christine Helfrich
Lenore McWey
AGING
3. Marital Agreement Across
the Life Course
Lexie Pfeifer
Richard Miller
Jeremy Yorgason
Fu Fan Chiang
Carol Kim
ASSESSMENT/DIAGNOSIS
4. A Child of Down
Syndrome: The Maternal
Adjustment Process
Hannah Korkow
Hye Jin Kim
Nicole Springer
5. Binge Eating Behaviors
in a College Population
Cynthia Dsauza
Anne Prouty
Heather Austin
6. Cultural Context of Diagnoses
Given to County Youth
Gwenyth M. Poggi
Armando Gonzalez
Tatiana Glebova
7. Factor Structure of Instruments
in a Training Clinic
Alyssa Jane Banford
Shayne Anderson
Rachel Tambling
8. The Internet Process Addiction
Test: Validating a New Tool
Jason Northrup
Coady Lapierre
Jeffrey Kirk
Cosette Rae
CHILDREN/ADOLESCENTS
9. ADHD Treatment
Outcome by Provider Type
and Therapy Modality
David Fawcett
Ashley Maag
Dwayne Horton
D. Russell Crane
10. Adolescent Healthy Separation:
A Longitudinal Perspective
Sujata Ponappa
Suzanne Bartle-Haring
16. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy:
A Treatment Outcome Review
Morgan Cooley
Amanda Veldorale-Brogan
17. Patterns in Relational
Treatments for Preschoolers
Andrew Benesh
Andrea Meyer
18. Relational Prosocial Behavior
for Adolescent Females
Brent Black
Roy Bean
19. School Engagement, Future
Expectations, and Foster Care
Cicely Brantley
Armeda Stevenson Wojciak
Lenore McWey
20. Single Mothers’ Parental
Engagement and Parental Stress
Micha Berryhill
Kristy Soloski
Rebekah Adams
11. BPS Changes in Families
Participating in a Pediatric
Obesity Program
21. Transmission of Shame from
Mothers to Daughters
12. Child Temperament, Parental
Stress, and Relationship Quality
CLINICAL TECHNIQUES
22. Family Intervention for African
American Mothers with Cancer
Keeley Pratt
Angela Lamson
Micha Berryhill
Kristy Soloski
Jared Durtschi
Rebekah Adams
13. Implicit Rules, Shame,
and Prosocial and
Antisocial Behaviors
Jeffrey Crane
James M. Harper
14. Mental Health Outcomes of
Youth in Out-of-Home Care
Christine Helfrich
Armeda Stevenson Wojciak
Lenore McWey
15. Military Children’s Experiences
of Reintegration
Glenn Hollingsworth
Lydia Marek
Lyn Moore
Carissa D’Aniello
James Harper
Lisa Hansen
Karl Meng
Laura Lynch
Maureen Davey
Karni Kissil
La-Rhonda Harmon
23. What Clients say is Helpful in
Single Session Therapy
Constantina Nanos-Bednar
Louise Oke
Geraldine VanEngen
COLLABORATION/CONSULTING
24. Prevalence of Relational Discord
in Urban Primary Care
Sarah Woods
Jacob Priest
Jessica Fish
Jose Rodriguez
Wayne Denton
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29. Gender Differences in Marital
Satisfaction: A Meta-Analysis
Jeffrey Jackson
Richard Miller
Megan Oka
30. Internet Boundaries for Social
Networking: Impact of Trust
and Satisfaction
Aaron Norton
Joyce Baptist
31. Locus of Control, Differentiation
and Therapeutic Alliance
Rashmi Gangamma
Suzanne Bartle-Haring
Hana Yoo
Sujata Ponappa
Eugene Holowacz
Felisha Lotspeich Younkin
32. Mediating Mindfulness and
Relationship Satisfaction
Kyle Horst
Sandra Stith
Marcie Lechtenberg
33. Moderating Effects of
Attachment Style on PTSD
COUPLES
25. Attachment, Shame, and Covert
Relational Aggression
Charity Kemp
James M. Harper
26. Couples’ Empathic Interactions
and Physiological Linkage
Jillian Puckett
Erica Nordquist
Trent Parker
Kristyn Blackburn
Claire Kimberly
Ronald Werner-Wilson
27. Efficacy of EFT-Based
Relationship Enrichment
Sara Blakeslee
Jaime Goff
Austin Brown
Priscilla Griffin
28. Facebook and Infidelity: When
Poking becomes Problematic
Jaclyn Cravens
Kaitlin Leckie
Jason Whiting
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Laura Frey
Ronald Werner-Wilson
34. Partner Support and
Adult Eating Disorder
Symptom Distress
Lisa Zak-Hunter
Lee Johnson
35. Relationship Attribution and
Conflict in Long-term Marriages
Joyce Baptist
David E. Thompson
Chelsea Link
Nathan Hardy
Kaleb Beyer
36. Role of Support in Spouses’
Experience of Deployment
Lyn Moore
Lydia Marek
Carissa D’Aniello
Kathleen ORourke
37. Self Satisfaction, Marital
Satisfaction and Stability
Eugene Holowacz
Suzanne Bartle-Haring
Erica Hartwell
Samuel Shannon
Felisha Lotspeich Younkin
m a g a z i n e
38. The Effects of Media Use in
Romantic Relationships
Lori Cluff Schade
Jonathan Sandberg
39. Validating the Feminist
Couple Therapy Scale
Christine McGeorge
Thomas Stone Carlson
Russell Toomey
40. Women’s Experience of
Attachment and Infidelity
Jenny Haines
Andrew Brimhall
DELIVERY SYSTEMS/
MANAGED CARE
41. Evaluating the Delivery
of American Indian
Couples Therapy
Waymon Hinson
C.J. Aducci
Jeremiah Whitebird
Lonnie Manuel
Julie Barchers
Cynthia Maynard
DEPRESSION
42. So Blue: Relationship
Conflict and Depression in
Young Women
Christine Ajayi
DIVORCE/MEDIATION/
CUSTODY
43. Predictors of Altruistic Love
for Divorced Women
Joseph D’Ambrosio
Annatjie Faul
44. Role of Therapy in
Women’s Divorce Decision
Making Process
Erica June Weekes Kanewischer
Steven M. Harris
EDUCATION/TRAINING/
SUPERVISION
45. Benchmark Characteristics
of COAMFTE Accredited
MFT Programs
Charles Nichols
Craig w. Smith
F R IDAY, SEP T E M BER 14, 2012
46. Best Practices in Teaching
Research Methods
to CFT Students
Andrea Meyer
Mellonie Hayes
G. Bowden Templeton
47. Exploring Family
of Origin Experiences
and Neural Activation
Justin Bowling
Nathan Wood
Ronald Werner-Wilson
Trent Parker
Martha Perry
Melissa Dalton
48. Rural Mental Health: Fitting In
and Developing New Skills
Paul Springer
Richard Bischoff
Allison Reisbig
W. David Robinson
Michael Olson
49. Supervisors’ Use of Social
Power in Supervision
Wan-Juo Cheng
50. The Effectiveness of Therapy
Provided by MFT Trainees
Shayne Anderson
Andrew Rose
Alyssa Jane Banford
Rachel Tambling
GENDER
51. Afro-Caribbean Single Women
Parenting in the U.S.
Bertranna Abrams
Megan McCoy
Morgan Stinson
J. Maria Bermudez
52. Assessing Readiness to
Change for Women Clients
Alexander Hsieh
Tauheedah Wallace
Lauren Barnes
Carly LeBaron
Lori Cluff Schade
Richard Miller
53. Daughters’ and Maternal Loss:
A Cross-Cultural Study
Taranjit Bhatia
Mudita Rastogi
54. Experiences of HispanicAmerican Women and
Career Choices
64. The Medical Offset Effect in
an MFT Training Clinic
55. Factors of Female Romantic
Relationship Experiences
PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT
65. Adult Attachment and
Technology Use in
Dating Relationships
Annie Mecias
Sabra Johnson
Jonathan Sandberg
56. How Materialism and
Attachment Impact
Women in Relationships
Colleen Young
David Ward
57. How Mexican-American
Women Keep up with the
Second Shift
Zoe Cornwell
Kourtney Vaillancourt
58. Predicting the Effect
of Communication on
Young Single Women
Sabra Johnson
Jonathan Sandberg
59. The Influence of Religion on
Young Adult Dating Events
Dylan Cannon
Damon Rappleyea
Alan Taylor
60. Women and Mental
Illness: Community Peer
Support in Recovery
Jacob Christenson
D. Russell Crane
Damon Rappleyea
Jonathan Wilson
Alan Taylor
RACE/CULTURE/
ETHNICITY/CLASS
66. Black-White Identity: Mothers
Raising Biracial Children
Dana Stone
Megan Dolbin-MacNab
67. Differentiation and Korean
Family Functioning
Hye Jin Kim
Anne Prouty
Mei-Ju Ko
68. Factors Related to Relationship
Satisfaction For Latinas
Sergio Pereyra
69. Guiding MFT Practice According
to the Voices of Latina Women
Jessica Anna Topor
Sudha Sankar
Reham Gassas
Jose Ruben Parra-Cardona
Francesca Duca
61. Women’s Resiliency
to Overcome Pregnancy
Decision Coercion
Amy Claridge
Casey Fisch
MEDICAL/PHYSICAL
62. Family Resiliency during
Breast Cancer Treatment
Anne Prouty
Violeta Kadieva
Chris Bedard
Mei-Ju Ko
63. Relationship Satisfaction
and Health Care Planning
Kristyn Blackburn
Trent Parker
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70. Intersectionality of Latinos,
Gender and Conflict Resolution
80. PDD Treatment Outcomes
by License and Modality
89. Women’s Religiosity, Wellbeing
and Relationship Satisfaction
71. Motherhood: Raising
Successful Black Men
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
81. A Systematic Review of Gay,
Lesbian, and Bisexual Research
TRAUMA/VIOLENCE/ABUSE
90. Couple Therapy and the WellBeing of Aggressive Couples
Morgan Stinson
J. Maria Bermudez
Bertranna Abrams
Megan McCoy
Teandra Gordon
72. Perinatal Distress Prevention for
Mexican Immigrant Women
Jennifer Cates
73. Psychosocial Development in
South Korean Couples and Its
Effects on Marital Relationships
Hye Jin Kim
Jea-Eun Oh
74. Residuals of Slavery: African
American Gender Roles
Erica Wilkins
Jody Russon
Allena Moncrief
Jason Whiting
75. Uncovering Messages
of Marital Intimacy in
Indian Couples
Manjushree Palit
76. Uncovering Post-Soviet
Gender Roles and Femininity
Daria Diakonova-Curtis
Tatiana Glebova
Natalie Porter
SELF-OF-THERAPIST
77. Perceiving Couples: Family of
Origin and Attachment Effects
Nathan Wood
Trent Parker
Ronald Werner-Wilson
Martha Perry
SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS
78. Implicit Process Rules in
Eating Disordered Families
Lauren Barnes
James M. Harper
79. Mental Illness and Metaphor:
How do Mothers Talk About It?
Anna Bohlinger
Jaime Ballard
D. Russell Crane
David Fawcett
Erica Hartwell
Julianne Serovich
Sandra Reed
82. Best and Worst Experiences
Disclosing HIV Status to Family
Erika Grafsky
Erica Hartwell
Julianne Serovich
83. Characteristics of Married
Same-Sex Couples in Iowa
Parris Green
Mary Green
Megan Murphy
Markie Blumer
84. Sexual Orientation in
MFT Training According
to Core Faculty
Lindsay Edwards
Janet Robertson
Paula Smith
Nicole O’Brien
SEXUALITY/SEX THERAPY
85. Attachment, Relational
Aggression, and Sexual
Satisfaction
Anthony Hughes
James M. Harper
86. Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors
in Women of Somali Descent
Jennifer Connor
Beatrice Robinson
Amira Ahmed
Shanda Hunt
Megan Finsaas
87. The Use of Sexually Explicit
Material in Sex Therapy
Gary Ratcliffe
Jared Anderson
Adryanna Siqueira Drake
SPIRITUALITY
88. Latino Couples’ Spirituality,
Coping, and Aggression
Mariana Falconier
Jennifer Austin
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Martha Perry
Nichole Huff
Joann Lianekhammy
Sherylls Valladares
Norman B. Epstein
91. Dating Violence and Stay/Leave
Decisions of Women in College
Sarah Lyon
Sandra Stith
Amber Vennum
Frank Fincham
92. Development and Validation of
The Traumatic Stress Scale
Kyle Killian
93. Experiences Associated with
PTSD in Military Spouses
Joel Ketner
Adrian Blow
94. Impacts of Maternal Trauma on
Parenting and Child Distress
Emily Cook
95. Men’s Experiences in a Batterer
Treatment Intervention
Jenna Scott
Emily Schmittel
Kendal Holtrop
Jose Ruben Parra-Cardona
Ana Rocio Escobar-Chew
96. Predicting Violence with
Assessment Instruments
Jason Whiting
Jaclyn Cravens
Douglas Smith
97. Shame Mediates PTSD
and Intimacy in Sexual
Abuse Survivors
Tabitha Webster
Ashlee Sloan
Leslie Feinauer
98. Trauma Influence on Couple
Distress and Therapy Outcomes
Matthew Brosi
Allison Williams
SAT U R DAY, SEP T E M BER 15, 2012
SATURDAY MORNING PLENARY SESSION • 9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME: LOVE, SEX AND GROWING OLDER
Gina Ogden, PhD, LMFT, AAMFT Clinical Fellow, Sex Therapy Diplomate,
Researcher and Author
r. Ogden has dedicated herself to research and teaching in the area of sexual wellD
being that confronts our notions of aging and sexuality. As her research and professional
experience show, intimacy and satisfaction can increase over the years, once we help
our clients open their hearts and minds to this life changing information. Bring your
smartphone, tablet or laptop for special opportunities to interact, participate,
and contribute to this session.
AAMFT wants you to join the conversation about this year’s Plenary Sessions. Bring your smartphone, tablet or
laptop for special opportunities to participate. As you interact in social media while at the conference be sure to
share your learning experiences. For Twitter use #AAMFT12.
MORNING WORKSHOPS • 10:45 A.M. – 12:45 P.M.
400 A
DDRESSING SPIRITUALITY IN COUPLES THERAPY
Thomas Stone Carlson & Christine McGeorge
This workshop will highlight the importance of addressing spirituality in couples therapy. In particular, participants
will learn how spirituality can be used as a resource for healing couple relationships, strengthening relationship
satisfaction, and increasing emotional intimacy. Participants will also learn specific interventions associated with
integrating spirituality in couples therapy.
401 S
O YOUR CLIENT IS ATTRACTED TO YOU, NOW WHAT?
Tommie Boyd, Jenna Wilson & Diana Giraldez
When a client becomes attracted to their therapist it can impede progress and even dissolve a formerly helpful
professional relationship. This presentation provides literature and case examples of female therapists who have
dealt with situations in which a client has become attracted to them. Topics will include: how to deal with client
attraction through conversations about ethical and boundaries issues, ways to prevent and resolve the attraction,
client and therapist vulnerabilities, and supervision issues. Case examples will be presented.
402 T
HERAPEUTIC FRAMEWORKS FOR SERVING THE SERVICEWOMAN
Markie Blumer, Aubree Papaj & Laura Robinson
As more women are now serving in the military it is imperative that
family therapists be best prepared to assess and treat the unique
issues that they face, as well as their families. This workshop provides
an opportunity for greater understanding of female military service
members—who make up the fastest and most steadily growing
population in military membership. Attention will be given to exploration
of the problems that servicewomen and their families experience, as
well as suggested clinical frameworks and related focused genogram
questions that have been found helpful.
403 D
IALOGUES ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:
STREET THEATER IN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES
Jason Platt, Kenneth Andersen & Leticia Cristina Pileski
Excellent conference,
as always. I look
forward to attending
next year in
Charlotte, N.C.
Societal issues like poverty, violence and gender inequalities continue
to have a dramatic impact on the lives of women and their families.
Drawing on theoretical ideas from Virginia Satir, liberation psychology,
and the theater of the oppressed, this presentation will demonstrate
a variety of theatrical formats for initiating community dialogues about
gender. These approaches have been utilized in numerous countries
including India, Cambodia and throughout Latin America. Examples will
be provided showing how this approach has been used in Mexico.
CONFERENCE TRACK KEY
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
WOMEN AND THE MILITARY
2011 Annual
Conference Attendee
SUPERVISION
WOMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
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404 W
OMEN’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: WOMEN AND CANCER: HEALING THE MIND, BODY,
HEART AND SOUL
Carl Greenberg & Teresa Taft
This workshop will explore the connections of mind, body, heart, and soul as well as the importance of incorporating
all four in a treatment approach for women with a cancer diagnosis. Case material will demonstrate healing
approaches including the use of guided imagery and couples work using a collaborative focus to promote healing on
multiple levels. Participants will also learn about concomitant psychological issues, common crisis points,
and how to incorporate family members to enhance treatment.
405 A
SSESSMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN MFT ACCREDITED EDUCATION
Daniel Lord, Steven Rathbun, Christopher Habben & J. Michelle Robertson
This workshop will introduce an online assessment management system (LiveText) for collecting and presenting
outcomes data in a COAMFTE accredited program. Interactive systems, templates, rubrics, and reports will be
presented within an annual assessment calendar. Data analysis by program outcome, student learning outcome,
curriculum mapping, accreditation standard, and AAMFT core competency will be demonstrated through an
online assessment systems portfolio.
406 Y
OU + ME + ED = A “THREESOME”: COUPLES AND EATING DISORDERS
Kelli Young & Gina Dimitropoulos
This workshop will explore issues pertaining to the emotional and sexual intimacy in couples in which one
partner has an eating disorder (anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa). Using both didactic and interactive methods,
the presenters will discuss common struggles inherent in these couple relationships, and present interventions
that may be useful at various points in the therapy process.
407 INTEGRATING FAT STUDIES INTO MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING PROGRAMS
Sheila Addison & Michael Loewy
Unlike other dimensions of diversity, body diversity and the impacts of fatphobia and size discrimination are not
yet integrated into MFT programs. Presenters will review principles such as Size Acceptance and Health at Every
Size as tools to challenge cultural mandates about slimness and weight loss efforts, and to help clients who are
experiencing weight-based stigma. They will also summarize research with doctoral psychology students who
took an elective Fat Studies course as to its personal and professional impacts. Ideas for integrating Fat Studies
principles into training alongside other social justice narratives will be presented.
408 W
OMEN AND THE MILITARY: MILITARY WIVES, PTSD, MILITARY MARRIAGES:
A RESEARCH AGENDA
Dol Green, Dan A. Ratliff & Marlon Robinson
The mental health needs of military service members will be the greatest challenge to the next
generation of marriage and family therapists. A great deal of research has focused on the stresses
of deployment on military spouses, usually wives, but little has focused on the effects of
military service on marriages. This workshop will review the findings of research on military
spousal stress, military marriages, and the methodology (variables, instruments, and data
collection techniques) of how to study military marriages.
409 U
SING EFT TO TREAT DEPRESSION AND
RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS
Andrea Wittenborn & Ting Liu
Based on a series of clinical trials, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) has
emerged as an effective treatment for couples struggling with depression
and relationship problems. In this workshop, we will review current literature
on co-occurring depression and relationship distress, discuss supporting
EFT outcome research, and provide clinical recommendations for EFT with
this population. Case examples will highlight recommended interventions.
CONFERENCE TRACK KEY
64
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m a g a z i n e
WOMEN AND THE MILITARY
SUPERVISION
WOMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
SAT U R DAY, SEP T E M BER 15, 2012
410 U
SING EXERCISE AS A CATALYST FOR IMPROVING
CLIENT OUTCOMES
Lee Johnson, Kayla Mennenga, Allison Ellsworth & Carla Nancoo
Exercise has been associated with physical, mental and relational benefits
but remains underused as a clinical tool. This presentation will describe
the benefits of exercise on client outcomes and provide background on
brain processes that underlie the effectiveness of exercise as a catalyst for
change. Participants will be provided resources and strategies for promoting
client engagement in regular exercise.
411 IS IT BETTER FOR THE KIDS IF SHE HAD NEVER MARRIED?
Tiffani Stevenson Lloyd
This session will present a study which used a nationally representative sample
of single mothers and their young children to examine the relationship of marital
status and child wellbeing. Never-married mothers and ever-married mothers
were compared to see how children fared in terms of internalizing behaviors such
as withdrawal and depression. Findings indicate that children of ever married mothers
engage in more internalizing behaviors, and have important implications
for family therapists.
412 S
UPERVISION TRACK: BUILT TO LAST
Mary Hotvedt
This workshop will focus on shaping the professional identity and development of the therapist. In the first
workshop we touched on the role of supervisor as mentor, common to all models. Now we will delve into the
responsibility and role of the supervisor for working with the self of the therapist to help him or her in their career
path as an MFT. We will discuss how to foster creativity and enthusiasm, deal with therapist anxiety and burnout, and problem solve about under-performing supervisees. We will also review how we help students become
clinical fellows. (This workshop addresses learning objectives 6 and 9.)
413 M
INDFULNESS AND ACCEPTANCE: APPLICATIONS IN MFT
Diane Gehart & Eric McCollum
Mindfulness skills are used increasingly in therapy and can enhance the well-being of clients and therapists
alike. This presentation will introduce the concept of mindfulness, aspects of its Buddhist roots that are being
integrated into clinical models, and its research base. Participants will explore both personal and clinical uses of
mindfulness and have extensive opportunities to practice mindfulness techniques.
414 A
GENDERED APPROACH TO INFIDELITY: ETHICS, WOMEN AND AFFAIRS
Kirstee Williams, Aimee Galick, Carmen Knudson-Martin & Douglas Huenergardt
This workshop will present an empirically validated model, the Relational Justice Approach (RJA), for treating
infidelity. This model places gender and power at the heart of clinical change in couple’s therapy. This workshop
presents the four necessary stages for successful change in RJA: (1) creating an equitable foundation for healing,
(2) creating space for alternate gender discourse, (3) pursuing relational responsibility of the powerful partner, and
(4) the new experience of mutual support. By centralizing socio-contextual concerns, RJA counteracts societal
gender patterns that place responsibility for affairs and recovery from them on women.
415 P
LAYFUL TECHNIQUES FOR ENGAGING CHILDREN IN FAMILY THERAPY
Amber Willis & Darryl Haslam
This workshop will present a range of play therapy techniques that can be used with families to address common
family problems related to child therapy referrals. A practical three part model will be offered for adapting the
techniques for use in assessment and intervention. Clinical examples and videotaped sessions will be used to
demonstrate some of the techniques.
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416 W
OMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN: WOMEN AT MIDLIFE AROUND THE WORLD
Rita Melissano
This workshop will focus on women at midlife by exploring the myths, meanings and realities about the
time known as midlife and menopause. Presenters will highlight the changes in women’s individual role,
social power and status, and personal and spiritual fulfillment in different cultures from around the world.
Participants will have the opportunity to consider and create new meanings for women at midlife.
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS • 2:15 P.M. – 4:15 P.M.
500 D
IFFERENTIATION: RESOLVING WOMEN’S RELATIONSHIP ISSUES
Ruth Morehouse
Differentiation-based therapy offers a powerful modality for resolving women’s issues including emotional
fusion with parents, sexual desire problems, and parenting issues with children. This workshop will illustrate
collaborative confrontation with clients and maintaining a balanced alliance. Topics discussed will also include
how the therapist’s differentiation--especially female therapists--plays a critical role in working with female clients.
501 A
CCULTURATION AND INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION: BECOMING A FAMILY
Jessica Chou & Bobbi Miller
This presentation applies acculturation theory to international adoption and examines how acculturation
can provide insight to therapists regarding family processes, struggles children may encounter, and the role
adoptive parents play in identity development. Assessment and intervention strategies will be addressed
using a case study.
502 D
EMYSTIFYING WRITING FOR PUBLICATION IN MFT
Fred Piercy & Manjushree Palit
This workshop is intended for those who wish to be successful in writing for publication in the field of marriage
and family therapy. We will demystify the publication process and the thinking and skills necessary for
participants to be successful, published authors of scholarly MFT articles.
503 E
NGAGING MALE WITHDRAWERS USING EMOTIONALLY FOCUSED THERAPY
Scott Woolley
Engaging withdrawn men in therapy is often challenging, particularly when the man is engaged
in compulsive sexual behaviors such as affairs and pornography. Therapists will learn how to
engage withdrawers with their own internal experience and disowned aspects of the self
as well as with their partners. Therapy video from a difficult case is used to demonstrate
the process.
504 W
OMEN’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: HEALING AND THE
HEART: WOMEN’S EXPERIENCE OF CARDIAC DISEASE
Mary Bittle & Karen Kinman
This workshop will address the need to collaboratively address the needs
of women who undergo a heart event, a leading cause of death and
chronic disease for women in the United States. The biopsychosocial
aspects of heart disease for women, which differs from that of men,
will be explored. A medical family therapy model is used to better
inform family therapists who wish to facilitate healing and optimum
biopsychosocial health with this population. Presenters will offer an
integration of multiple Family Therapy models and techniques during
this workshop.
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SAT U R DAY, SEP T E M BER 15, 2012
505 B
SFT SETS SINGLE MOMS AND THEIR KIDS FREE
Olga Hervis, Silvia Kaminsky & Debra Miller
Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT), an evidenced-based practice,
will be explored during this workshop. Presenters will discuss
how to free single mothers and their children from dysfunctional,
interactional patterns that “entrap” them in a life of personal
stagnation and symptomatologies. BSFT’s innovative Diagnostic
Schema and the unique BSFT Restructuring Sequence will be
presented via PowerPoint presentations and DVD vignettes.
506 P
REPARING THE MFT WORKFORCE FOR A CHANGING
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Jennifer Hodgson & D. Russell Crane
The evolution in mental health care is upon us. As the US phases
in parity between physical and mental healthcare, there is a search
for options that will deliver better services for a more affordable
cost with long term gains. With the advent of these changes there
is a tremendous opportunity for family therapists to be a part of
the healthcare system’s rebirth. However, we need to prepare our
workforce to be able to capitalize on these emerging trends. This
workshop will serve to help clinicians, educators, and researchers
understand how to move the field forward into healthcare settings.
I thought the conference
was awesome. I was a first
time attendee and was very
impressed by the entire
experience. I’m hoping to
attend next year.
2011 Annual
Conference Attendee
507 T
HE IMPACT AND TREATMENT OF FEMALE SEXUAL PAIN ON THE COUPLE
Chris Fariello
For women who experience sexual pain, physical intimacy becomes a physical and emotional challenge to the
couple. Participants will understand the physiological and psychological implications of female sexual pain on
the couple relationship. The impact of sexual pain on sexual expression and several therapeutic methods of
managing the issue of pain in the couple relationship will be explored.
508 W
OMEN AND THE MILITARY: THE THERAPY EXPERIENCES OF FEMALE COMBAT VETERANS
WITH PTSD
Scottie Thomas, Mike Bishop & Brenda Gearhart
This presentation will describe qualitative research concerning the experiences of female combat veterans with
PTSD who reached out for therapy. The presentation will focus on what can be learned by providers, agencies,
and military operations to improve access and effectiveness of treatment to female veterans suffering from PTSD.
509 S
ITTING WITH ORCA: VIEWS FROM THE THERAPIST’S CHAIR
Scott Edwards, Claudia Grauf-Grounds, Hee-Sun Cheon & Shawn Whitney
This workshop provides a detailed examination of an innovative framework and training model of a therapist’s
stance. ORCA integrates Openness, Respect, Curiosity, and Accountability to Power with therapist’s personal
beliefs. Participants will explore sitting with ORCA through experiencing the view from the therapist and client
chairs while exploring the impact of gendered societal roles.
510 T
HE STIC IN TREATMENT: EMPIRICALLY INFORMED COLLABORATION
William Pinsof
The new frontier in MFT is how to integrate science into treatment. The Systemic Therapy Inventory for
Change (STIC) System collects clients’ data online and feeds it back to therapists in real time over the Internet
throughout treatment. This workshop will introduce participants to the STIC and demonstrate its use in practice
to facilitate empirically informed and collaborative assessment, treatment planning and progress evaluation.
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511 INTIMATE BETRAYAL: TREATING COMPULSIVE INFIDELITY
Michael Howard
Infidelity is one of the most challenging clinical issues therapists face. It is even more difficult when the behavior
is compulsive or when one or both partners are suffering from sexual addiction. Utilizing an in-depth case
analysis, this session will examine theoretical and practical aspects of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of
infidelity where addiction is a primary consideration.
512 S
UPERVISION TRACK: WORKING TO CODE
Mary Hotvedt
As supervisors, we have special responsibility for the promulgation of ethical practice. We will learn how to
problem solve around legal and ethical issues brought to us in the supervisory process by using real-life material
from various supervisory settings to develop a model for ethical decision-making and teaching. We will use the
revised AAMFT Code of Ethics as a guide. (This workshop addresses learning objective 8.)
513 E
FFECTIVE ONLINE THERAPY FOR WOMEN’S CHANGING ROLES
Kathleene Derrig-Palumbo & Liza Eversole
Online Therapy is an effective medium for helping clients with diverse family frameworks, gender roles and
relationship orientations, especially clients unwilling or unable to receive traditional, face-to-face therapy.
Through lecture, demonstrations and case presentations, attendees will learn Online Therapy best practices to
legally and ethically better serve the growing population of clients, especially women using the Internet.
514 W
HY TEENAGE GIRLS SELF-INJURE: A SYSTEMIC PERSPECTIVE
Angela Kahn
This presentation will explore one of the most commonly misunderstood behaviors of our time by focusing on
the plight of teenage girls who cut. Participants will discover how two specific emotional elements combine to
form the “perfect storm” of self-injury in female adolescents, and how only a systemic conceptualization can
lead to effective treatment.
515 F
ORGOTTEN CLIENTS: HEALING SEX ADDICTS’ WIVES
Maria Butler
This workshop will demonstrate relational skill building interventions in the treatment of women married to
men with sexual addiction. Women are routinely excluded from husbands’ sex-therapy sessions, so they
seek psychotherapists’ services to diminish the addiction’s negative effects, and safeguard their
children’s well-being and their health. Interventions empower women to live a blame, guilt, and
shame-free life.
516 W
OMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN: WEAVING WISDOM:
THE EVOLVING ROLE OF OLDER WOMEN
Dorothy Becvar
Participants will learn about the wise older woman, the one who accepts the
challenges involved with weaving what she has learned into wisdom that may be
shared. Considered will be related demographic changes in need of recognition,
characteristics of the wise woman and her relationships with others, and
facilitation of the ability of older women to become wisdom weavers.
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SAT U R DAY, SEP T E M BER 15, 2012
SATURDAY AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION • 4:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.
FROM PRINCESSES TO POP-TARTS: WHAT THE NEW CULTURE OF GIRLHOOD
MEANS ABOUT GIRLS AND THE GROWN-UPS WHO CARE ABOUT THEM
Peggy Orenstein, Award winning American science writer and author of the New York
Times best-sellers including Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of
the New Girlie-Girl Culture
Noted author Peggy Orenstein will bring her fascinating exploration of the influence of
girly-girl culture on today’s children to this important plenary. During this session she will explore girlhood,
pop-culture, identity, and what we can do to ensure daughters are growing up with a healthy, empowered
identity. Bring your smartphone, tablet or laptop for special opportunities to interact, participate, and contribute
to this session.
AAMFT wants you to join the conversation about this year’s Plenary Sessions. Bring your smartphone, tablet or
laptop for special opportunities to participate. As you interact in social media while at the conference be sure to
share your learning experiences. For Twitter use #AAMFT12.
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SU N DAY, SEP T E M BER 16, 2012
SEMINARS • 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
600 INTERSECTIONS OF DIVERSITY IN MFT TRAINING AND SUPERVISION
Anne Prouty, J. Maria Bermudez, Karen Helmeke & Mei-Ju Ko
Do you consider yourself to be culturally competent as a trainer? The answer to this question is more
complicated than you think. Focusing on the latest feminist teaching theory, the presenters will discuss identity
variables and dynamics. They will then lead participants through experiential training exercises and small group
discussions to deepen their awareness and skills as culturally competent educators, trainers, and supervisors.
601 H
ELPING ADOLESCENTS WITH SELF-INJURING BEHAVIOR
Eric Johnson, Nerlie Clark & Nina Mendez
Family therapists are increasingly treating adolescents (mostly girls) with ‘acting-in’ problems. Unlike ‘acting-out’
(conduct disorder) problems, these adolescents are much more likely to harm themselves than others,
and often confound helpers by describing self-injurious behaviors as providing relief, rather than causing pain.
In this workshop issues of causation and remediation will be addressed from a family perspective.
602 S
CHOOL-BASED FAMILY THERAPY: PRACTICAL TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Amber Vennum & Karen Sebung
Several states have recently certified Marriage and Family Therapists to be hired by public schools. This seminar
will focus on strategies for effectively navigating this complicated multi-level system, developing an expanded
therapeutic alliance, and bridging the gap between families and schools.
603 C
RAFTING A SUPERVISION MODEL: A CONTEXTUAL-FUNCTIONAL FRAME
Jeff Chang
Participants will use the Contextual-Functional Meta-Framework (CFM) to develop, elaborate, and personalize
their personal approaches to supervision. This session is of particular interest to those considering beginning to
supervise, Supervisor Candidates who are required to clarify their approach to supervision for their Philosophy of
Supervision paper, and experienced supervisors encountering complex supervision situations.
604 W
OMEN’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: YOGA FOR HEALING TRAUMA AND
EATING/FOOD/BODY IMAGE CONCERNS
Deborah Klinger
This seminar will explain the ways in which yoga can repair damage done to the regulatory functions of the
nervous system by trauma, illustrate the difference between traditional and trauma-sensitive yoga classes,
and demonstrate the usefulness of yoga for helping women who struggle with their relationships with food
and with their bodies.
605 M
OTHERS AND COMING OUT AS A FAMILY PROCESS
Thorana Nelson & Jacqueline Hudak
As systems therapists, we know that presenting as non-heterosexual or gender non-conforming, or ‘coming
out,’ is a relational process that involves many people. In this seminar, the presenters will describe their family
transitions from heterosexuality and the relational impact of those processes. They will introduce a model for
understanding nonheterosexual relationships in the context of a heteronormative society.
606 E
MPOWERING FAITH-BASED WOMEN IN CONTROLLING RELATIONSHIPS
Marjorie Buchholz
This seminar will help therapists to work more effectively with faith-based women who are in marriages with
controlling or narcissistic spouses. There are unique challenges to working with relationships that have a
high level of control or narcissism, as well as essential spiritual diversity issues that must be understood and
addressed to help the woman.
607 S
ANDTRAY THERAPY: APPLYING AN INTERVENTION CREATED BY WOMEN
Daniel Sweeney
Sandtray therapy is one of several expressive and projective therapy techniques that are effective interventions
for clients who are psychologically or neurobiologically hampered by verbally-based treatment. This session will
explore this intervention developed by women (Margaret Lowenfeld & Dora Kalff), who recognized the need to
provide a safe and expressive avenue for hurting clients to process intrapsychic and interpersonal dysfunction.
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SUPERVISION
WOMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
SU N DAY, SEP T E M BER 16, 2012
608 W
OMEN AND THE MILITARY: SYSTEMIC ROLES OF WOMEN IN MILITARY FAMILIES
Ruth Cox, Michael Howard & Debra Kenyear
Women in military families face many individual and systemic challenges. The specific family structure may take
on different forms. Yet there are unique hardships which women in these families must face. This seminar will
use case studies and video clips to fully examine the clinical techniques that can help deal with the challenges
associated with each of these family structures.
609 U
PDATES IN ETHICAL ISSUES FOR MFT PRACTICE
Linda Oxford, John Danforth, Mike Bishop, Sallie Campbell & Roberta Graham
This panel presentation will examine revisions to the AAMFT Code of Ethics and their implications for practice,
describe how malpractice in MFT is determined, explore areas of high risk and liability that are most likely to
result in ethical complaints, and examine the procedures involved in the process of responding to an ethical
complaint made to the AAMFT Ethics Committee.
610 H
ELPING WOMEN HEAL: EXPLORING FEMALE RESPONSES TO INFIDELITY
Kate Walker
This seminar will explore couple therapy interventions in light of neuroscience indicating men and women
respond differently to infidelity. It will focus on the lived experiences of women seeking therapy following
the revelation of their partner’s infidelity. Finally, it will examine the role the therapist’s understanding of
female-specific responses may play in helping women heal in the therapeutic setting.
611 R
ED CROSS TRAINING: FOUNDATIONS OF DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH
Martha Teater
MFTs interested in disaster response are invited to attend this training sponsored by the American Red Cross
(ARC). Foundations of Disaster Mental Health is a 3-hour course that equips MFTs to serve as disaster mental
health (DMH) volunteers with the ARC. MFTs may become involved by deploying to out of town assignments,
responding to local disasters, teaching ARC courses, or helping with Service to the Armed Forces functions of
the ARC.
612 S
UPERVISION TRACK: NO COOKIE CUTTER MODELS, PLEASE!
Mary Hotvedt
We learn about diversity on so many levels from our clients. The supervisor
helps the therapist use the differences and nuances in meaning they hear
from their clients to develop a greater sensitivity and effectiveness in
their work while also being fearless in addressing those differences.
The supervisor also uses the self of the therapist to understand
oneself as well as others. We will use real-life therapeutic
situations to refine our supervisory models to deal with
situations involving cultural, economic, sexual, gender, religious
and class differences which effect therapeutic outcome.
(This seminar addresses learning objective 7).
613 W
OMEN: CONVERSATIONS ABOUT POWER
AND PRIVILEGE
Martha Gonzalez Marquez, Andres Nazario
& Christine Ajayi
Women’s roles in society have evolved over the last
few decades, as has the nature of their power and privilege.
Many women experience more power, however few have time
to reflect on that evolution. Most women have few (if any) role models
and little or no time to thoughtfully and intentionally examine their power
and privilege. This session is designed to create space for conversations about the
evolution of women’s power and privilege in their personal and professional lives.
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614 G
OING BEYOND WORDS WITH IMPACT TECHNIQUES
Danie Beaulieu
When working with women or families, one common obstacle is the difficulty to express one’s inner reality and/
or fully grasp the other’s position. With the multisensory techniques of Impact Therapy, the therapist can create
more direct representations of the difficulties clients are facing—and of possible solutions. Impact Techniques
goes beyond words to render abstract ideas tangible, emotions visible, and solutions palpable. This seminar will
present dozens of powerful tools to permit women to more fully comprehend and resolve their issues.
615 C
REATING EMOTIONAL CONNECTION THROUGH GENDER EQUALITY
Carmen Knudson-Martin, Naveen Jonathan, Douglas Huenergardt, Kirstee Williams, Melissa Wells
& Young Joo Kang
Gender imbalances in emotional attunement, influence, vulnerability, and relational responsibility result in
relationships that support men more than women. This seminar will draw on current research to explain why
gender equality is a foundation for relationship success and illustrate a socio-emotional approach to therapy that
helps couples create relationships that support women as well as men.
616 H
YPERSEXUAL BEHAVIOR DISORDER IN WOMEN: ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT
M. Deborah Corley
This session will outline criteria for DSM-V proposed hypersexual behavior disorder in women and offer results
from research on women identified with this disorder compared to those without. Assessment tools,
risk factors, and clinical needs for early, middle and late stages of recovery for the woman and her partner will be
introduced. Case examples will be discussed.
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WOMEN ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
HOT E L A N D T R AV E L I N FOR M AT ION
For full descriptions of each hotel visit
www.aamft.org/annualconference.
THE WESTIN CHARLOTTE
601 South College Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
866-837-4148
Located across the street from the Charlotte Convention
Center and the host location for the AAMFT Board Dinner
and North Carolina Jamboree.
AAMFT Annual Conference participants will receive a
special rate of $165.00 for single occupancy and $185.00
for a double room ($20.00 for each additional person) if
reservations are made by 5:00 p.m. EST on August 20, 2012.
HILTON CHARLOTTE CITY CENTER
222 East Third Street
Charlotte, NC 82802
877-667-7213
AAMFT Annual Conference participants will receive a
special rate of $149.00 for single occupancy, $169.00
double, $189.00 triple, and $209.00 quad if reservations
are made by 5:00 p.m. EST on August 20, 2012.
HILTON GARDEN INN CHARLOTTE UPTOWN
508 East Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-347-5972
Located one block from the Convention Center and across
the street from the NASCAR Hall of Fame this hotel all
the comforts of home.
AAMFT Annual Conference participants will receive a
special rate of $139.00 for single or double occupancy
if reservations are made by 5:00 p.m. EST on
August 22, 2012.
Direct access to the Charlotte Convention Center and the
Downtown Charlotte Trolley make this a great location for
conference participants.
GETTING AROUND THE CITY!
Charlotte’s Uptown area is accessible in a convenient
grid system, making finding your way around a breeze.
Marked signs point to specific tourist attractions and
destinations, and more than 150 restaurant and nightlife
spots are accessible within the Center City area. The
LYNX Blue Line Light Rail system runs from South
Charlotte right into the urban core, providing easy access
to the Charlotte Convention Center, sporting events,
museums and more. The LYNX operates seven days
a week from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. serving 15 stations,
and is $1.75 each way, with discounts for children.
The Gold Rush trolley bus is another transportation option,
providing free service up and down Tryon Street and west
along Trade Street, running at eight and fifteen minute
frequencies from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday.
AIRLINE DISCOUNTS
AAMFT has teamed up with the major airlines flying
into Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to get you flights at
discounted rates! Follow the below instructions to save
on time and travel:
AMERICAN AIRLINES
You may book online at www.AA.com and enter
promotion code 4392BM. You may also call 1-800-4331790 and give the promotion code for assistance.
UNITED AIRLINES
You may book online at www.united.com and enter offer
code ZMKA538721 in the offer code box when searching
for your flights. You may also call Meeting Works at
800-468-7022. Give Agreement Code: 538721 and
Z code: ZMKA.
DELTA
Refer to your Ticket Designator (NM9N7) to purchase
your tickets and your negotiated discount may be applied.
Individuals and meeting planners may call 1-800-3281111 for reservations and ticketing assistance. The Delta
Meeting Network line is available Monday-Friday from
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT. The discounts are not available
online at this time. We waive the $25.00 ticketing fee
when booked directly with Delta.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
The AAMFT has partnered with the Super Shuttle for your
discounted ground transportation needs. SuperShuttle and
ExecuCar offer some of the lowest airport transfer rates
in the nation. SuperShuttle is the nation’s leading sharedride airport shuttle service, providing door-to-door ground
transportation to more than 8 million passengers per year.
Their friendly drivers, comfortable vans and reasonable
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rates take the hassle out of getting to and from 39 airports
in the U.S., France and Sweden! Use the code: (AAMFT)
and register online at: http://groups.supershuttle.com/
aamft.html. This offer is good for 10% off all round trip
ground transportation travel, and can be used between
April 2012 and April 2013 for all your travel needs!
HOT E L A N D T R AV E L I N FOR M AT ION
ABOUT CHARLOTTE
Charlotte is North Carolina’s largest metropolitan area.
Once called CharlotteTowne, the city was named
Charlotte in 1762 in honor of the British Queen
“Charlotte Sophia” while the county was named
Mecklenburg to denote the region in Germany where she
was born. Today, this beautiful city is often referred to as
the “Queen City.” It is known for NASCAR heroes and
finance leaders but has so much more to offer than
meets the eye!
Rich in captivating culture, the city has several music
venues, operas, stage shows, and more than 40 public golf
courses. The city also boasts the Ballantyne Hotel which
specializes in an ice cream pedicure, festivals year round
such as the Taste of Charlotte, Time Warner Cable BBQ
& Blues, and is a growing fashion center complete with
boutiques, outlet malls and alfresco shopping centers.
Known as one of the fastest growing cities in the nation,
there is something to match everyone’s interest. Enjoy
your evenings exploring all Charlotte has to offer!
AMONG THE MANY THINGS TO DO IN THE
‘QUEEN CITY’ HERE ARE A FEW:
1. NASCAR Hall of Fame
Honoring drivers who have shown exceptional skill at
NASCAR driving. The hall is fueled with more than 50
interactive tire changing stations, realistic race simulators,
a broadcast booth and much more! Work up an appetite
and then grab a bite to eat at the Pit Stop Case.
2. ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
One of the most technically imaginative and
resourceful theatres in the county, ImaginON brings
stories to life through extraordinary experiences that
challenge, inspire and excite young minds.
3. U.S. National Whitewater Center
The world’s premiere outdoor recreation and
environmental education center offering activities such
as rafting, biking, climbing, mega jumping, stand-up
paddle boarding, adventure course and more.
4. Blumenthal Performing Art’s Broadway Lights Series
Home to outstanding arts organizations including
Charlotte Symphony, Community School of Arts,
North Carolina Dance Theatre, On Q Productions,
Queen City Theatre Company and The Light Factory
Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film.
5. Billy Graham Library
6. T
he Mint Museum
Uptown
A cultural campus that
includes the Bechtler
Museum of Modern
Art, the Harvey B. Gantt
Center for AfricanAmerican Arts and
Culture, the Knight
Theater, and the Duke
Energy Center, and
features a range of visitor
amenities, including a
240-seat Auditorium, Family
Gallery, studios, Café, and
Museum Shop.
7. Discovery Place
Discovery Place brings science to life through
hands-on interactive exhibits, thrilling activities and
experiments, a larger than life IMAX Dome Theatre
and boundless other educational opportunities
and programs.
8. Carowinds
A large amusement park that includes rides and
attractions, Boomerang Bay, - a water park with
34,000 square foot wave pool, long lazy river and
water slides, live entertainment and dining.
9. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Only the second in this country designed by the Swiss
architect Mario Botta. The collection presented includes
works by the most important and influential artists
of the mid 20th century including Miró, Giacometti,
Picasso, Calder, Hepworth, Nicholson, Warhol, Tinguely,
Ernst, Le Corbusier, Chillida and many others.
10. Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American
Arts + Culture
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American
Arts and Culture has celebrated the contributions of
Africans and African Americans to American culture
for 35 years and serves as a community epicenter for
music, dance, theater, visual art, film, arts education
programs, literature and community outreach.
FOR A FULL LIST OF 100 THINGS
TO DO IN CHARLOTTE VISIT
WWW.CHARLOTTESGOTALOT.COM
Inspiring exhibits, films, and memorabilia retrace Billy
Graham’s dynamic journey from a North Carolina dairy
farm to stadiums and arenas all across the globe.
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SU B JEC T GU IDE
AGING
A Perspective on Aging
Evolving Role of Older Women
Surviving Elder Care Tsunami
Women and Aging
ADOPTION/FOSTER CARE
Acculturation and Adoption
ALCOHOL/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Addiction Treatment for Women
ASSESSMENT/DIAGNOSIS
Adolescents with Self-Injuring Behavior
Hypersexual Behavior Disorder in Women
Is it You, Me or ADHD?
Measures for Same-sex Couples
CAREER OPTIONS
Narrative Approach to Workplace Reintegration
CHILDREN/ADOLESCENTS
BSFT Sets Single Moms Free
Family Play Therapy Techniques
Managing Disruptive Behavior
Preventing Teen Pregnancy
Reactive Attachment Adolescents
The Use of Play in Family Therapy
Why Teenage Girls Self-Injure
CLINICAL TECHNIQUES
Assessment and Treatment of PPOCD
Clinical Work with Compulsive Hoarding
Creative Group Activities
Cross-Disciplinary Bridges
Discernment Counseling
This was the best conference
I have attended in years.
Everything was done well.
The workshop selection was good,
the speakers were good, registration
was easy online, signage was good,
staff and volunteers were friendly.
Kudos to everyone who
was involved!
2011 Annual
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302
516
115
416
501
306
601
616
311
201
316
505
415
314
216
202
102
514
205
309
110
106
103
Expectations, Hope, and Alliance
Family Play Therapy Techniques
Financial Discourses
Gender and Eating Disorders
Going Beyond Words with Impact Techniques
Healing Sex Addicts’ Wives
Hypersexual Behavior Disorder in Women
Maintaining Hope During Couples Therapy
Managing Disruptive Behavior
Military Sexual Trauma
Mindfulness and Acceptance in MFT
Mindfulness and Mentalization
Online Therapy for Women
Parenting Interventions for Latinas
Resolving Women’s Relationship Issues
Returning Female Veterans
Sandtray Therapy
Serving the Servicewoman
Surviving Elder Care Tsunami
The Use of Play in Family Therapy
Tracking Common Factors
Treating Compulsive Infidelity
Using Exercise to Improve Client Outcomes
Walk-in/Single Sessions
Women and Infertility
Women’s Experience of Cardiac Disease
Women’s Roles in Military Families
COLLABORATION/CONSULTING
An Equine Assisted Approach
Crafting Your Model of Supervision
Cross-Disciplinary Bridges
MFT Workforce in Healthcare
STIC Collaborative Therapy
COUPLES
Change in Pursue/Withdraw
Couple Therapy for Aggression
Couples and Eating Disorders
Emotional Connection through Gender Equality
Engaging Withdrawers Using EFT
Exploring Female Responses to Infidelity
Female Sexual Pain and the Couple
Going Beyond Words with Impact Techniques
His and Her Military Marriage
Is it You, Me or ADHD?
Maintaining Hope During Couples Therapy
Military Wives, PTSD and Marriages
Spirituality in Couples Therapy
Treating Compulsive Infidelity
Using Exercise to Improve Client Outcomes
Women’s Relationship Dynamics
300
415
206
204
614
515
616
301
314
208
413
107
513
313
500
108
607
402
115
102
209
511
410
109
104
504
608
213
603
106
506
510
214
111
406
615
503
610
507
614
308
311
301
408
400
511
410
215
SU B JEC T GU IDE
DEATH/LOSS
A Perspective on Aging
DELIVERY SYSTEMS/MANAGED CARE
Walk-in/Single Sessions
DEPRESSION
Depression and Relationship Problems
Reproductive Mental Health
Women and Hormones
DIVORCE/MEDIATION/CUSTODY
Discernment Counseling
EDUCATION/TRAINING/SUPERVISION
An Equine Assisted Approach
Approved Supervisor Refresher Course
Assessment Management Systems
Building the Ground Floor
Built to Last
Crafting Your Model of Supervision
Diversity in MFT Training
Ethics in Action
Fat Studies in MH Training
From Design to Construction
Improving MFT Work for Women
IPCM: A Systemic Therapy
Laying a Foundation for Your Supervision
No Cookie Cutter Models, Please!
Professional Identity and Cultural Dissonance
Qualitative Research Adventures
School-based Family Therapy
Sitting with ORCA
Supervising Religious Students
Working to Code
Writing for Publication in MFT
ETHICS/LEGAL
A Client is Attracted to You
Ethics in Action
Online Therapy for Women
The Digital Session
Updates in MFT Ethical Issues
Working to Code
GENDER
A Gendered Approach to Infidelity
Black Girls and Therapy
Emotional Connection through Gender Equality
Evolving Role of Older Women
Exploring Female Responses to Infidelity
Faith-based Women in Controlling Marriages
Female Combat Veterans with PTSD
Gender and Eating Disorders
Improving MFT Work for Women
Street Theater in International Communities
The Mental World of Women’s Sexuality
302
109
409
113
304
MEDICAL/PHYSICAL
Bridging Neurophysiology with Systems Theory
Fat Studies in MH Training
Healing: Women and Cancer
His and Her Military Marriage
MFT Workforce in Healthcare
Women and Hormones
Women’s Experience of Cardiac Disease
Women’s Relationship Dynamics
Yoga for Trauma and Body Image
MODELS/THEORY
103
213
100
405
212
412
603
600
303
407
312
310
307
112
612
305
105
602
509
203
512
502
Assessment and Treatment of PPOCD
Bridging Neurophysiology with Systems Theory
BSFT Sets Single Moms Free
Creative Group Activities
Engaging Withdrawers Using EFT
Expectations, Hope, and Alliance
Healing Sex Addicts’ Wives
IPCM: A Systemic Therapy
Laying a Foundation for Your Supervision
Mindfulness and Acceptance in MFT
Mindfulness and Mentalization
Mothers and Coming Out as a Family Process
Postmodern Feminist Therapy
Resolving Women’s Relationship Issues
Sandtray Therapy
Tracking Common Factors
Women and Infertility
PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT
A Gendered Approach to Infidelity
Adolescents with Self-Injuring Behavior
Depression and Relationship Problems
Foundations of Disaster Mental Health
Narrative Approach to Workplace Reintegration
Reproductive Mental Health
211
407
404
308
506
304
504
215
604
205
211
505
110
503
300
515
307
112
413
107
605
207
500
607
209
104
414
601
409
611
316
113
401
303
513
210
609
512
414
114
615
516
610
606
508
204
310
403
200
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SU B JEC T GU IDE
Serving the Servicewoman
Sexuality Therapy
The Digital Session
Updates in MFT Ethical Issues
Women’s Roles in Military Families
RACE/CULTURE/ETHNICITY/CLASS
Acculturation and Adoption
Black Girls and Therapy
Conversations about Power and Privilege
Diversity in MFT Training
No Cookie Cutter Models, Please!
Parenting Interventions for Latinas
Postmodern Feminist Therapy
Professional Identity and Cultural Dissonance
Women and Aging
REMARRIAGE/STEPFAMILIES
Single Moms & Kids’ Wellbeing
RESEARCH
Change in Pursue/Withdraw
Clinical Work with Compulsive Hoarding
Financial Discourses
Military Wives, PTSD and Marriages
Professional Self-Care
Qualitative Research Adventures
Single Moms & Kids’ Wellbeing
STIC Collaborative Therapy
Writing for Publication in MFT
SCHOOL SYSTEMS
Preventing Teen Pregnancy
School-based Family Therapy
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m a g a z i n e
402
101
210
609
608
501
114
613
600
612
313
207
305
416
SELF-OF-THERAPIST
A Client is Attracted to You
A Perspective on Aging
Conversations about Power and Privilege
Sitting with ORCA
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Measures for Same-sex Couples
Mothers and Coming Out as a Family Process
SEXUALITY/SEX THERAPY
Couples and Eating Disorders
Female Sexual Pain and the Couple
Sexuality Therapy
The Mental World of Women’s Sexuality
SPIRITUALITY
411
214
309
206
408
315
105
411
510
502
216
602
Faith-based Women in Controlling Marriages
Healing: Women and Cancer
Spirituality in Couples Therapy
Supervising Religious Students
TRAUMA/VIOLENCE/ABUSE
Addiction Treatment for Women
Couple Therapy for Aggression
Female Combat Veterans with PTSD
Foundations of Disaster Mental Health
Military Sexual Trauma
Professional Self-Care
Reactive Attachment Adolescents
Returning Female Veterans
Street Theater in International Communities
Why Teenage Girls Self-Injure
Yoga for Trauma and Body Image
401
302
613
509
201
605
406
507
101
200
606
404
400
203
306
111
508
611
208
315
202
108
403
514
604
R EGIST R AT ION I N FOR M AT ION
YOUR CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
INCLUDES ADMISSION TO:
• Workshops
• Seminars
• Plenary Sessions
• Poster Session
• Showcases
• Exhibit Hall
• Open Forums
• Receptions
4 EASY WAYS TO REGISTER!
To avoid duplicate charges, please choose
only one method:
1. Online at www.aamft.org/annualconference
2. Fax: 703-838-9805
3. Call: 703-838-9808
4. Mail to: AAMFT, Annual Conference
112 S Alfred St
Alexandria, VA 22314
REGISTRATION DEADLINES:
• Mail - form and payment must be postmarked by
September 6, 2012
• Phone/Fax/Online - form and payment must be
submitted by September 10, 2012
• After September 11, 2012 all registrations must be
completed on-site
EARLY BIRD DEADLINE:
Register by August 13, 2012 and save up to $100 off the
regular registration fee.
CANCELLATION POLICY/
REFUND POLICY:
Requests for refunds must be made in writing and
postmarked by September 1, 2012. All refund requests
for the Annual Conference are subject to a $100
cancellation fee. There will be no refunds after
September 1, 2012. For full Cancellation Policy,
please visit www.aamft.org/annualconference.
REGISTRATION PACKETS
(BADGE AND TICKETS):
If you have pre-registered for your courses and have
not received your materials by September 6, 2012,
please report to the registration desk at the conference
to up your materials.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
CERTIFICATE:
You have the option to purchase a continuing education
certificate at the time of your registration for $10.
This certificate can be submitted to your state licensure
board as proof of completed continuing education units.
TAX DEDUCTIBILITY:
Your unreimbursed annual conference costs, including
registration fees, airfare, hotel, and 50% of meals,
may be tax deductible. Please consult your financial
advisor for details.
AAMFT MEMBERS:
Registration fees are up to $100 less for all AAMFT
members. See back pages for complete registration fees.
NON-MEMBERS:
Save up to $100 by joining the AAMFT and receiving
the Annual Conference member rate. Simply attach
a completed AAMFT membership application to
your Annual Conference registration form to receive
the discount, or visit www.aamft.org and apply for
membership online. To request a paper application,
e-mail the AAMFT at [email protected] or call the
AAMFT at 703-838-9808.
Non-member students will need to provide proof of
current enrollment with your registration form (a letter
from your Program Director or Registrar’s office).
SPECIAL OFFER!
For those who would like to pre-order your session
recordings, the AAMFT is offering the option of ordering a
CD set of all of the session recordings and handouts that
are available, a DVD set of recordings of all of the Plenary
Sessions, or both the Plenary DVD set and the sessions
CD set. This valuable resource has been added to our
registration form for your convenience. The costs include
shipping and handling.
I thoroughly enjoyed this
conference. It was the best I’ve
attended in over 20 years of
practice. The conference was
well organized and professional,
filled with useful information
and the volunteers/students were
knowledgeable and helpful.
Thank you for a wonderful
learning experience!
2011 Annual
Conference Attendee
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AAMFT Master Series DVDs
Digitally Remastered
The American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy is pleased
to present some of the world’s most respected marriage and family
therapists conducting live, unedited therapy with real families.
Learn from the masters with this popular series.
New titles include:
Usefulness of Non-Presenting Symptoms – Carl Whitaker
The featured family includes a grandmother, mother, and two preadolescent sons.
The women are recent widows and the boys were abused by their deceased alcoholic
father. Intergenerational rules that hypnotize people to act in destructive ways are
searched out. Themes of suicidal behavior, depression, unresolved grief and obesity
become apparent as the family is challenged to deal with issues in a healthier fashion.
Filmed in 1986.
I Would Like To Call You Mother – Ivan Boszmormenyi-Nagy
The featured family includes four generations consisting of a delinquent adolescent,
his chronically psychotic mother, grandparents, and great-grandmother. Nagy’s model
employs multidirected partiality, which includes discussing and acknowledging
everyone’s positive contributions to counter their mistrust, blaming and self-defeating
invisible loyalties. Filmed in 1988.
A Daughter Who Needs A Mother – Harry Aponte
The featured family is an African American mother and her children struggling with
poverty and a legacy of deprivation. The session is a demonstration of the Eco-System
Model, incorporating class, racial and ethnic experiences of both the family and the
therapist. Mother lacks confidence and skill to mother her child, forcing her 14-yearold daughter to do so. After running away from home to pursue the attention of older
men, her actions culminate in a suicide gesture. An experience is created for the
mother to reach out to her daughter. Filmed in 1991.
The Lost Boy – Virginia Satir
Features Virginia Satir conducting a live, unedited therapy session with a family of
ten children who are grieving the loss of one child, who is still missing a year after
his abduction. The family is emotionally and physically engaged through use of stairs,
touch, and positioning to reflect the mourning, inter-sibling rivalry, and distancing of the
father. Viewers will experience Satir’s open, directive, and spatial style in this engaging
demonstration of family therapy from an Experiential perspective. Filmed in 1984.
Escape from Bickering – Michael White
The session concentrates on the bickering between siblings and the theme of protest
that bonds the family to systems that pathologize them. Through externalizing and
mapping techniques, the family creates a “new story” which is consolidated by the
use of a reflecting team. Michael White offers an excellent demonstration of how
circular, strategic, and reflexive questions can help family members discover new
information about themselves while creating a new family narrative. Filmed in 1989.
Unfolding the Laundry – Salvador Minuchin
The session begins with re-focusing the family’s attention away from the youngest
son, age 11, who is acting out and re-labeling much of the sibling behavior, before
attending to the couple.This session offers viewers a glimpse of Minuchin’s legendary
proficiency at not being the expert as he follows the family’s lead in defining the
problem and utilizes humor and simplicity to create a desire for change within the
family members. Filmed in 1984.
Each DVD includes live footage of each Master conducting a pre-session consultation, a live therapy session, and post-session follow up. Each DVD
costs $99 for members and $129 for non-members. Buy more and save! Members can purchase any 3 DVDs for $279 or the set for $539 and
non-members can purchase any 3 DVDs for $369 or the set for $729. Learn from the Master’s by ordering your copies today at www.aamft.org/store.
All net proceeds from the sale of Master Series DVDs go directly to the AAMFT Research & Education Foundation’s Minority Fellowship Fund.
2012 A A M F T A N N UA L
CON F ER E NC ER EGIST R AT ION FOR M
AAMFT ID or Code*________________Name______________________________________________________________________
Address__________________________________________________________________________________________________
PAYMENT INFORMATION
 Check  Visa
 Master Card
 American Express
Credit Card Number_________________________________________________ Exp. Date_____________ V-Code ______________
Billing Address (if different)______________________________________________________________________________________
Work Phone Number ____________________________________ Home Phone Number ___________________________________
Fax Number __________________________________________ Email Address___________________________________________
PRE-CONFERENCE INSTITUTES
(Thursday, September 13, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
With Full Conference W/O Full Conference On/Before August 17
 $130
 $165
CONTINUING EDUCATION CERTIFICATE
 Yes ($10)  No ($0)
After
August 17
 $140
 $215
FULL CONFERENCE (Friday, September 14, 4:00 p.m. –
Sunday September 16, 12:30 p.m.)
On/Before August 17
AAMFT Clinical Fellow, Member,  $305
In Process Members and
Affiliate Members
AAMFT Pre-Clinical Fellow and
 $225
Associate Members
Non-Members  $405
AAMFT Student Members
 $205
Non-Member Students
 $305
After
August 17
 $405
 $325
 $505
 $255
 $355
CONFERENCE WORKSHOP CHOICES
Thursday Pre-Conference Institute, September 13
(Please note that there is an extra fee for the
Pre-Conference Institute)
100 Series 1st Choice___________ 2nd Choice___________
Friday Workshops, September 14
200 Series
1st Choice___________ 2nd Choice___________
300 Series
1st Choice___________ 2nd Choice___________
Saturday Workshops, September 15
400 Series
1st Choice___________ 2nd Choice___________
500 Series
1st Choice___________ 2nd Choice___________
Sunday Morning Seminar September 15
600 Series
1st Choice___________ 2nd Choice___________
On/Before August 17
 $190
 $190
 $190
(Specify number of tickets) _________Tickets (x) $50 _________
TOTAL _______________________________________________
You will be contacted closer to the event to obtain your
workshop selections. Also be sure to check www.aamft.org/
annualconference frequently as we continue to add details
regarding the conference.
UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
(ADA), DO YOU REQUIRE AUXILIARY AIDS OR
SERVICES? Specify special assistance required:
____________________________________________________
Do you have a dietary restriction for the BOD dinner?
 No  Yes, Please explain: ____________________________
_____________________________________________________
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE 2012 AAMFT
ANNUAL CONFERENCE? Please check one.
 E-mail from the AAMFT
 AAMFT Magazine or Journal
 Previous Conference
 2012 Institutes
 The brochure
After August 17
 $290
 $290
 $290
 Word of Mouth
 Non-AAMFT Publication
 AAMFT Web site
 My local division
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PRE-ORDER YOUR
SESSION RECORDINGS, THE AAMFT IS OFFERING
THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS: (Prices include $15
shipping and handling fees. International shipping
will be provided at an additional charge.)
AUDIO: All of the recorded sessions on CD:
 Members $114
 Non-Members $144
DVD: of Plenary Sessions only:
 Members $84
ONE DAY ATTENDANCE ONLY
(members and non-members)
Day
Friday Saturday Sunday BOARD DINNER AND AWARD PRESENTATION
(Friday, September 14)
 Non-Members $114
BOTH: the Plenary and all other recorded sessions:  Members $144
 Non-Members $174
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ON THIS CONFERENCE VISIT:
WWW.AAMFT.ORG/ANNUALCONFERENCE
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Take a closer look at the
AAMFT Job Connection
In keeping with our commitment to providing the best recruitment resources to our members,
we are pleased to announce the re-launch of our new and expanded online employment
resource: the AAMFT Job Connection.
With this new platform comes a strategic partnership with the National Healthcare Career
Network (NHCN). The NHCN is a proven solution designed to combat the healthcare workforce shortage, provide a world class benefit for AAMFT members and a more meaningful
recruitment resource for mental health employers and professionals. By linking to the job
boards of over 270 leading healthcare associations, the NHCN will allow AAMFT to take the
next step to becoming a vibrant, viable force in the mental health community.
Reach the targeted mental health jobs and professionals you need, with
extensive training and knowledge in:
PSYCHOLOGY
RESEARCH
ACADEMIC/FACULTY
HOSPITAL EXECUTIVES
NURSING EXECUTIVES
PATIENT SAFETY
RISK MANAGEMENT
THERAPY
MILITARY
PRIVATE PRACTICE
ADMINISTRATIVE
AND MORE!
Discover - or rediscover the advantages of posting your job or resume
to the AAMFT Job Connection.
VISIT US TODAY AT JOBCONNECTION.AAMFT.ORG!
112 SOUTH ALFRED STREET, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314
|
703.838.9808
|
WWW.AAMFT.ORG
SAVE THE DATE
UAL CONFERENCE • OCTOBE
N
N
A
T
F
R 17-2
AM
0!
2013 A
BIG CITY EXCITEMENT
AND SMALL TOWN CHARM
Make Portland, Oregon, known as “the City of Roses”, one of the favorite
destinations in the West. Portland is situated in a magnificent setting between
the sparkling waters of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Portland offers
something for everyone.
A splendid location, relaxed respectability, and an urban lifestyle that is
unsurpassed for its livability makes Portland a city to visit and remember.
AAMFT is excited to call this breathtaking city home for our 2013 Annual
Conference. Join us and make your plans early.
Photos by the Portland Oregon Visitors Association
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Contemplative Supervision
John Fulan, MS
A goal of supervision is to prepare therapists for practicing
in today’s ever changing mental health profession. Clients
may present with multiple diagnoses and numerous
stressors. In many public and non-profit agencies,
supervisees can work with numerous clients with a
co-occurring disorder, a mental health disorder and a
substance use disorder. Trauma issues, which can present
as PTSD or Complex PTSD, are frequently interwoven
with a substance use disorder. These complexities of
diagnoses and their impact on clients’ lives can challenge
supervisees.
Supervisors need to rise to this challenge by providing
an integrated approach that focuses on the professional
and personal development of therapists. Based on my
experience supervising at a county funded non-profit
agency of mental health and substance abuse, I have
adapted a Contemplative Supervision (CS) Model for
mental health. Contemplative Supervision has been
introduced by Powell (2004) as an integrated supervision
model used in supervision in alcohol and drug counseling.
Carl Rogers said, “… counselors can’t counsel from
beyond whom they have become.” Contemplative
Supervision believes that the process of becoming a
therapist continually integrates professional development
supported by therapist self-development through
introspection and practicing character strengths.
Contemplative Supervision’s primary intention is
to promote therapists’ professional skill development
and self-development (Hernandez-Hons & Fulan, 2010).
It is a strength-based approach that uses the Recovery
Model (Gehart, 2010) for client treatment and mental
health wellness. The second aspect of CS is to cultivate
the development of a therapist’s character strengths as
described in positive psychology (Peterson & Seligman,
2004). These character strengths can be developed
and practiced in the workplace, with clients, and in
supervisees’ personal development. Lastly, supervisees
can develop the art of introspection, turning inward
(James, 1950; Wallace, 2012) through the use of
mindfulness training.
The Recovery Model, based on an international
movement, has its roots in consumer self-help in the
1930s. The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (2004) conceives of recovery as a client’s journey
of healing from mental illness and finding purpose and
meaning in life. Clients are encouraged to create their
own support system and work towards their full potential
of health and self-expression. The overriding assumption
of the Recovery Model encourages clients to develop
a life filled with purpose and meaning. The “National
Consensus Statement on Mental Health Recovery”
lists 10 Fundamental Components of Recovery (U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, 2004).
Three components are integral to the first aspect of
Contemplative Supervision. Treatment is “individualized
and person-centered.” Treatment of clients is personalized
to meet their choices, expressions, and cultural
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backgrounds. Treatment is holistic
addressing the interdependency
of a client’s mind, body, spirit,
and community. Treatment of the
client endorses a strength-based
emphasis. Strengths are viewed in
two dimensions. External strengths
make up support systems, healthy
lifestyle choices, and talents.
Internal strengths are made up of
character strengths such as creativity,
persistence, kindness, and optimism.
Positive psychology (Peterson
& Seligman, 2004) describes 24
character strengths.
The second aspect of Contemplative
Supervision is helping supervisees
shape their work with clients
around their character strengths. I
have supervisees take the Values in
Action (VIA) Signature Strengths
Questionnaire (Seligman, 2002).
Supervisees get a baseline reading of
their character strengths from the
highest rated to the lowest rated.
Supervisors and supervisees can
discuss how supervisees can use their
top rated strengths in therapy with
clients. Since character strengths can
be developed, supervisees can decide
what types of strengths they would
like to cultivate. These character
strengths can help them grow as
therapists and human beings.
The third aspect of supervision assists
therapists in training to develop
introspection. Introspection is the
quality of turning attention inward to
explore mental processes for greater
self-awareness and develop attention
and concentration skills.
Introspection is developed through
mindfulness training. Alan Wallace, a
Buddhist scholar and contemplative,
defines mindfulness as sustaining
continuous attention upon a familiar
object. The uses of mindfulness in
therapy flourish today. Jon KabatZinn (1990) developed MindfulnessBased Stress Reduction (MBSR)
for clients to deal with chronic
pain. Mindfulness Based Cognitive
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m a g a z i n e
Therapy (MBCT) developed by
Segal, Williams, and Teasdale
(2002) is used in the treatment of
depression.
Various types of mindfulness
exercises can be incorporated into
supervision to promote the growth
of supervisees. Since mindfulness is
a secular approach to introspection,
supervisees do not have to adhere
to a religious or spiritual belief
system. I have taught supervisees
mindfulness of breathing and a bodyscan method. This method integrates
the use of breath with full body
awareness. Therapists can attend to
their breathing during client sessions.
This attention to breath promotes
psychological grounding, relaxation
with alertness, and present-centered
awareness. Supervisees can then
teach their clients these mindfulness
techniques.
What is the role of diagnosis in the
Recovery Model? It recognizes that
diagnosis and reducing mental health
symptoms are not the sole objectives
of treatment. The Recovery Model
emphasizes promoting a client’s
psychosocial functioning. Clients
remain the most authentic source
to define their quality of life. This
quality of life is supported by the
purpose and meaning clients give to
their lives. Peterson and Seligman
(2004) make the point that mental
illness may be due in part to a lack
of development of a client’s character
strengths rather than due to DSM
type symptoms. The reliance on
character strengths may be a strong
medicine for the treatment of mental
illness and a source of personal
happiness.
Following Rogers’ premise that
therapists cannot counsel beyond
what they have become, supervisors
and therapists need to attend to
their personal and professional
development. A parallel process
of supervisor and supervisee
development can successfully mirror
itself in the use of the Recovery
Model with clients.
Supervisors and supervisees can
identify their character strengths
and assess how they draw upon
these strengths in their professional
and personal lives. They can reflect
on their lives from a perspective of
how to find purpose and meaning
in their lives. This process of self-
inquiry can provide fertile ground as
supervisees help clients find purpose
and meaning in their lives and rely
on their character strengths.
Investment in mindfulness training
by supervisors and supervisees can
foster their intrapersonal awareness.
This attunement can be transferred
to interpersonal awareness with their
clients. Supervisors’ and supervisees’
practice of mindfulness can lead
to mental clarity, wisdom, and
intuition. These internal qualities
help them be more present with
themselves and with their clients.
Isomorphism states that what exists
in one environment is mirrored in
another. Contemplative Supervision
models a parallel process. Supervisors
and supervisees can live their lives,
professional and personal, grounded
in their character strengths. They
can explore the practice of daily
meditation as a type of introspection.
Life can take on deeper purpose
and meaning when we invest in
ourselves. We can live with integrity
with our character strengths and
use meditation as a way to reduce
stress and explore deeper parts of
ourselves. In a parallel way, clients
using a Recovery Model can create a
life filled with purpose and meaning
as they live from their character
strengths. This way of living provides
an opportunity for clients to recover
from their mental illness and
cultivate favorable conditions for a
happier life. n
John Fulan, MS,
is a licensed
marriage and family
therapist. Fulan is a
clinical supervisor at
a non-profit agency
in San Diego, CA.
He is a Clinical Fellow of the AAMFT
and an Approved Supervisor.
References
Gehart, D. (2010). Mastering competencies in
family therapy. Belmont: Brooks/Cole.
Hernandez-Hons, A., & Fulan, J. (2010).
Developing competent counselors: Integrating
wellness, personal growth, and core skills within
clinical supervision. The clinical supervisor:
Training manual for clinical supervisor
competency in the addiction treatment setting.
Breining Research and Education Foundation.
James, W. (1950). The principles of psychology,
(Vols. 1-2). New York: Dover.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living.
New York: Bantam Dell.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. (2004). Character
strengths and virtues. London: Oxford
University Press.
Powell, D. J. (2004). Clinical supervision in
alcohol and drug abuse counseling (Rev. ed.).
San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Segal, Z., Williams, J. & Teasdale, J. (2002).
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for
depression: a new approach. New York:
Guilford Press.
Seligman, M. E. (2002). Authentic happiness:
Using the new positive psychology to realize
your potential for fulfillment. New York: Free
Press.
U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. (2004). National consensus statement
on mental health recovery. Retrieved March
21, 2012, from www.mentalhealth.samhas.gov/
publications/allpubs/sma05-4129.
VIA Signature Strengths Questionnaires.
Authentic happiness: Using the new positive
psychology. Retrieved February 14, 2012, from
www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu. Wallace, B. A. (2012). Meditations of a
Buddhist skeptic. New York: Columbia
University Press
Ethics Report
Members of the AAMFT in all membership categories, AAMFT Approved
Supervisors, and applicants for membership and the Approved Supervisor
designation are bound by the AAMFT Code of Ethics. Allegations of
code violations are investigated by the Ethics Committee according to
the AAMFT Procedures for Handling Ethical Matters. Members found in
violation may appeal the Ethics Committee’s findings and recommended
actions to the Judicial Committee. The possible outcomes of an ethics
complaint include: a finding of no violation; finding a violation and
recommending a mutual agreement with the member (e.g., supervision,
education, therapy, community service, suspension of membership and/
or the Approved Supervisor designation); or termination of AAMFT
membership. Termination is a permanent bar to readmission. In general,
only terminations are published.
• Effective December 7, 2011, the membership of C. Richard Henderson, a
resident of Gloucester, Massachusetts, was terminated with a permanent
bar to readmission to the Association for violating Subprinciples 1.3 and
1.5 of the AAMFT Code of Ethics.
• Effective December 16, 2011, Stephen P. Madigan, a resident of
Vancouver, British Columbia, was permanently barred from readmission
to the Association for violating Subprinciples 1.3, 1.5, 1.7 and 2.6 of the
AAMFT Code of Ethics.
The AAMFT Code of Ethics is available online at: http://www.aamft.org/
imis15/content/legal_ethics/code_of_ethics.aspx. The Ethics Committee
can be reached at [email protected].
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Referring Clients:
A Guide for the Mental Health Clinician and Addiction Professionals
B E V E R LY B E R G , P H D
T
• Use your rapport with clients to get them to agree to
change to alcoholism treatment, including the delineation
Midstream Re-assessment
he marriage between the fields of addiction
treatment and mental health treatment has long been
consummated. The 1980s brought sweeping ideological
of co-existing disorders. According to data from the 1990s,
as many as 50 percent of individuals with severe mental
disorders are affected by substance abuse, and 37 percent of
alcohol abusers and 53 percent of drug abusers have at least
one serious mental illness (Drake, 2003). Facing these facts,
all private practice clinicians need built-in criteria to assess
clients with co-morbid disorders. For clinicians, the days of
working purely within one treatment model may not be over,
but for clients struggling with mental health and addiction
outside treatment when necessary
Midstream re-assessment allows clinicians to course correct
when a client’s diagnosis or the treatment plan created at
initial intake needs re-examining. Course corrections should
be accepted as commonplace when clinicians get to know
their clients more intimately and information is revealed
or becomes more transparent, so they can change their
treatment plan, throw it out completely, or even refer a
client to other treatment. One of the greatest tools clinicians
can carry in their toolboxes is the ability of knowing clearly
issues, they are.
what is within their scope of treatment and what is not.
If you want your clinical work to be masterful, pristine, and
complex diagnostic profiles. These types of clients can end
relevant to all clients, you need to be eclectic and flexible.
up needing the help of many different professionals. In
A large array of clinical skills not only assures your clients
addition, a hearty midstream re-assessment should be part
the best treatment, but also protects you from burnout, or
of every internship, and the allowance for it should be seen
worse, from being sued for malpractice. To succeed, you
as intelligent, and not a sign of a lack of clinical aptitude.
Let’s face it: it never is one-stop shopping for clients with
must be willing to know when you are working within your
scope of treatment and how to help clients get what they
Time to Reach Out
need, even if it isn’t from you.
So, what are the signs and symptoms of a clinician who is
The Gold Standard
is it time to reach out to treatment facilities and get your
With respect to co-existing disorders, the gold standard
client more intensive help than you are offering in private
dictates you have the ability to:
practice? Here are the criteria:
• Gain strong rapport with your clients
1. Feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, when the client is in
• Tell the difference between a mental health patient, an
addiction patient, and one who is both
• Create treatment plans with fact-based evidence that work
within the scope of treatment
• Consult a rolodex of referrals with specialists who treat
what is out of your scope of treatment
• Use midstream re-assessment to account for information
new to the diagnostic profile
working with a client outside their scope of treatment? When
the therapy room and after he or she leaves
2. A client cannot stop addictive behavior that affects the
successful outcome of psychotherapeutic treatment
3. Pervasive confusion about what exactly you are treating
in a client
4. Not knowing the difference between problematic use
and addiction
5. Not knowing the difference between an anxiety disorder,
bi-polar disorder, and ADHD
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You can have a great relationship with your client, and he or
she could be dying of untreated addiction at the same time
you are enjoying each other’s company.
Beverly Berg, PhD, works with
individuals, couples, and families dealing
with both mental health and addiction
issues. She is a Clinical Fellow of the
AAMFT and founded Conscious Couples
Recovery, a workshop for couples in
which one or both partners are recovering
6. A nagging feeling the client needs more than what you
are offering
7. Feeling you have to let go of your client for a while, and a
resistance to doing that (known as therapist denial)
8. Feeling bummed that your relationship with the client, and
your therapeutic bag of tricks, aren’t doing the trick
9. Knowing the client’s illness needs a team approach, group
approach, or community approach, and it’s time to be an
advocate for the client
10. Unwillingness to make relationships with specialists
from addiction.
Reference
Clark, R. (2003). Dual diagnosis and integrated treatment of mental
illness and substance abuse disorder. Retrieved May 1, 2012, from
http://bit.ly/JedNfe.
It is our job to be able to spot both arms of addiction and
co-morbid disorders and to offer the appropriate framework
for proper treatment. It may seem I am stating the obvious,
but because clinicians are not held to fact-based evidence
the way a physician is, they can get away with continuing
treatment when there is no evidence treatment is making
a difference outside the therapy room. In other words, you
Exclusive Member Benefit
can have a great relationship with your client, and he or she
could be dying of untreated addiction at the same time you
AAMFT’S LEGAL FACT SHEETS
are enjoying each other’s company.
Having relationships with other effective clinicians, and a
handful of admissions people at different rehab centers puts
you in the gold standard of treatment. Without this, you
are working at a deficit, and putting your client and your
reputation at risk.
More than 20 topics are available,
including subpoenas, HIPAA
resources, informed consent,
confidentiality, and many more...
http://bit.ly/KsLie7
(Member ID and password required.)
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Elite Treatment Programs:
Addressing the Clinical Needs of a Culturally Unique Patient
PA U L H O K E M E Y E R , J D
I
n addition to being chronic, progressive and fatal, the
disease of addiction is isolating, secretive and shame
based. Sustained and meaningful recovery requires the
human beings who suffer from it to authentically connect
with other human beings and their clinical team in
empathetic and compassionate alliances. For people of
wealth and public figures (people who I collectively refer to
as “elite” patients), clinically and culturally competent care is
often promised, but not delivered. They face unique needs
and challenges, and the following outlines the importance
of providing these women and men with a reparative
psychotherapeutic and psychosocial culture that enables
them to address family of origin issues and feel honored as
the human beings they are, rather than the status symbols
they represent.
Elite Residential Treatment Must Provide Culturally
Competent Care and a Culturally Relevant Community
to its Patients
In my work as a researcher and clinician, I’ve found the
existence of a highly trained and culturally competent clinical
team, coupled with a robust community of like-minded
patients, to be an essential element of addiction treatment
success. My experience and research and the research
of others consistently shows wealth, power and success
cause the people who possess it to become guarded and
untrusting in their relationships with other human beings.
(Bronfman, 1987; Hokemeyer, 2012; Hokemeyer, 2010; Wahl,
1972; Warner, 1991). In these others’ eyes, elite women
and men lose their humanness and become objects of
envy, resentment, idolization and scorn (Hokemeyer, 2012,
Hokemeyer, 2010).
Elite women and men must be considered a unique
cultural minority, deserving of culturally competent care. In
Treating Wealthy Patients and Their Families: A Guide for
Competent Psychotherapeutic Care (Hokemeyer, 2012),
I discuss the common obstacles elite patients encounter
in psychotherapeutic treatment. These obstacles include
the social and cultural belief that wealthy and successful
people are in positions of power, and therefore have few if
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any problems, the objectification of people of wealth, and
the feelings of envy, greed and resentment that wealthy
human beings often invoke in others (Hokemeyer). For
these reasons, it’s critically important for therapists who
work with elite patients and the niche programs created to
treat them have a process that addresses the interpersonal,
psychotherapeutic, and socio-cultural issues around money,
power and success.
It’s also important that elite patients begin their recovery
journey in a robust community of other women and men who
share their unique cultural identity. Without such community
structure, the treatment services these women and men
receive will be “half measures.” While they might succeed in
providing them insight into the nature of their disease, they
will most assuredly fail to provide them with the reparative
psychotherapeutic and peer-to-peer alliances that create
deep and lasting sobriety.
In my professional experience, the most transformative
emotional experiences occur when patients authentically
connect with other human beings. Sometimes this
connection occurs with members of the clinical or
administrative staff. Often, it occurs when they finally relate
with another sick and suffering patient in their program. In
order to deliver the highest level of competent care, elite
programs must provide patients with a robust community of
other patients who share their unique cultural identity.
Ideally, a robust treatment community is one that provides
a sufficient number of women and men to enable each
patient to recreate the dynamics of their extended family of
origin. The evidence to support the use of family therapy
in recovery settings is well established (Rowe, 2012).
Researchers consistently show that family-based approaches
for alcoholism and drug addiction are a preferred modality
of treatment (Rowe, 2012; Waldron, 1997; Williams & Chang,
2000). From a family systems perspective, this recreated
family structure should include three generations of family
members including the patients’ parents, siblings and
children.
Transcending the Double Closet of Substance Abuse
Disorders and an Elite Personal Identity
To succeed in their recovery from addiction and substance
abuse disorders, elite women and men must transcend a
double closet. The first closet consists of the shame and
stigma of addiction. The second consists of an interpersonal
closet created by the fortresses of their socio-economic
status. While economically diverse treatment programs
may provide a base level of competency in providing
elite patients insight into their closet of substance abuse
disorders, they fail to assist them in fully transcending
the double closet that prevents them from authentically
connecting with other human beings.
In order to fully transcend the double closet, patients must
feel safe in their relationship with their clinical team and
with their fellow patients. They must intuitively feel they are
understood and heard, valued for the emotionally vulnerable
human beings they are and not manipulated, objectified,
idolized, or demonized as a result of their elite status. In
short, they must become vulnerable with their full identities
and trust the people and communities in whom they’ve
entrusted their care.
This trust must be earned and not promised. Elite patients
must intuitively sense they are valued for the human beings
they are, not for the revenue or status they bring into a
program, or the fuel they provide for narcissistic clinician
and administrators’ egos. Elite patients have a highly
tuned internal mechanism for sensing when they are being
objectified for the quantity of their external success rather
than for the qualitative nature of their internal experience.
Only by focusing on the qualitative aspect of an elite
patient’s experience, will clinicians and elite treatment
programs provide the key that frees the patient from the
confines of her or his double closet.
will they receive the elite care they deserve. Only then will
we fulfill our professional obligations to them.
Paul Hokemeyer, JD, PhD, is a licensed
marriage and family therapist and a
Clinical Fellow of the AAMFT.
References
Bronfman, J. (1987). The experience of inherited wealth: A socialpsychological perspective. PhD dissertation. Ann Arbor, MI: University of
Michigan.
Hokemeyer, P. L. (2012). Treating wealthy patients and their families: A
guide for competent psychotherapeutic care. The Journal of Wealth
Management, Summer, pp. 1-3.
Hokemeyer, P. L. (2011). Gay and rich: A journey into the wealthy male
homosexual identity. Leipzig, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing.
Rowe, C. L. (2012). Family therapy for drug abuse: Review and updates
2003-2010. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38, 59-81.
Wahl, C. W. (1974). Psychoanalysis of the rich, the famous and the
influential. Contemporary Psychoanalysis, 10, 71-85.
Waldron, H. B. (1997). Adolescent substance abuse and family therapy
outcome: A review of randomized trials. In T. H. Ollendick & R. J. Prinz
(Eds.), Advances in clinical child psychology (Vol. 19, pp. 199-234). New
York: Plenum Press.
Warner, S. L. (1991). Psychoanalytic understanding and treatment of the
very rich. Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis, 19, 578594.
Williams, R., & Chang, S. (2000). A comprehensive and comparative
review of adolescent substance abuse treatment outcome. Clinical
Psychology: Science and Practice, 7, 138-166.
Clinicians and programs that focus on treating elite women
and men have an ethical obligation to provide clinically and
competent care. To do this we must view these women and
men though a qualitative, not quantitative, lens. Only then
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cl as s i f i e d
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Austin, Texas — October 12-13, 2012
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c al e n d a r
JUNE 2
JUNE 21-23
The Minnesota division will hold its annual conference
in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the University of St.
Thomas. For more information please contact Angie
Baker at [email protected]
The Florida Division will hold its annual conference at
the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista-Downtown Disney.
JUNE 4
The Manitoba division will hold its annual conference
at Manitoba Hall, U of W. For more information contact
the Manitoba Division via website www.mamft.ca
JUNE 14
The Pennsylvania division will hold its annual
conference at the Kearns Spirituality Center in Allison
Park, Pennsylvania. For more information contact the
Pennsylvania division website www.pamft.org
92
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JUNE 22
The New Jersey Division will hold its annual conference
at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Princeton, New Jersey.
For more information contact the New Jersey Division
at www.aamftnj.org
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SAVE-THE-DATE
THE 2012 AAMFT
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Women:
Evolving Roles in
Society and Family
September 13-16, 2012
Charlotte, NC
Join us, September 13 – 16, 2012 in the
beautiful city of Charlotte, North Carolina for
our 2012 Annual Conference and Exhibition.
The conference is the place for seasoned
professionals, aspiring therapists and students
alike to attend. You can:
• Earn up to 23 CE hours
• Access events and receptions, such as our Board
Dinner and Dance, Plenary and Author’s Book Signing
Receptions and the AAMFT Showcase
• Explore our exhibit Hall where AAMFT, companies and
universities are eager to showcase products and services
that cater to the mental health field.
• Discounts on early bird registration and
AAMFT publications.
• Network with fellow colleagues in the profession
• Maximize new career opportunities
• Much more…..
RegistRation
opens apRil 2012.
Look out for your May/June FTM
for your official conference brochure.
CheCk
www.aamft.org/annualconference
frequently for updates and
more information.