An interview with Dr. Harry Aponte about challenging the idea that therapists can be blank screens or “surgeons.” We talk with Dr. Aponte about the importance of the self of the therapist in creating the relationship and doing effective clinical work. We also look into his Person of the Therapist Training and much of his body of work supporting therapists as well as communities of color.

Interview with Dr. Harry J. Aponte, HPhD, MSW, LCSW, LMFT

Dr. Harry J. Aponte, HPhD, MSW, LCSW, LMFT, is a family therapist known for his writings and workshops on the person of the therapist, spirituality in therapy, therapy with disadvantaged and culturally diverse families, and structural family therapy. Dr. Aponte was a staff member and teacher of family therapy at the Menninger Clinic, and subsequently Director of the Philadelphia Child Guidance Center. Currently, Dr. Aponte is clinical associate professor in the Couple & Family Therapy Program of Drexel University in Philadelphia. He has a private practice in Philadelphia, and conducts training and workshops throughout the country and abroad.

Dr. Aponte published Bread & Spirit through Norton, a book that speaks to therapy with today’s poor in the context of ethnicity, culture and spirituality.

Dr. Aponte and Dr. Karni Kissil have edited a book entitled The Person of the Therapist Training Model: Mastering the Use of Self, published by Routledge (2016).

In this episode we talk about:

Aponte’s story, including his work with Salvador Minuchin, Virginia Satir, Murray Bowen
Debunking the idea that therapists act as surgeons and that clients from marginalized communities “don’t talk.”
Aponte’s racial background interacting with the work that he did
The reasons he was asked so frequently asked to work with families in poverty-stricken areas
How the ideas in The Person of the Therapist came to be
Bringing mental health into communities of color
Social justice and advocacy within the therapist’s purview
Working with Jim Lester, an activist in Philadelphia, to bridge the gap between education, mental health services for kids who were truant
The ideas of structural therapy being translated into the communities
The difference of lived experience in bringing oneself into the therapeutic relationship
The Person of the Therapist training at Drexel University
How Harry’s personal experiences continue to impact his work
What is missing in most clinical training
The use of self in therapy
The importance of knowing yourself before you become a therapist
The idea that you must also know your hang ups and challenges and what you’ll be bringing into the room, so you can recognize and be “with” your clients
“Therapy is not a conversation; it is an experience.” – Dr. Harry Aponte
The vulnerability of being a therapist and the need to do work your work early in your training
The importance of doing versus reading about what should be done
Reasons that understanding yourself and bringing yourself into room provides better therapy

Resources mentioned:

We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!

Family Therapy Pioneer Salvador Minuchin on the Therapist’s Self (article in Psychotherapy Networker)

The Person of the Therapist Training Model: Mastering the Use of Self (book)

Relevant Episodes:

How to BE a Therapist

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Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/