The AAMFT Podcast

Sean Davis is a professor at Alliant International University and the author of seven books including a widely used textbook in the field. In this episode, he talks about the often overlooked skill of writing: for therapeutic effect, for self-care, for your practice. He discusses the advantages of writing to complement clinical skills, including critical thinking and persuasive abilities, and shares tips on developing good writing habits, how to get feedback on your writing, and what he has learned from other prolific writers.

Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and author of the NYT bestseller Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. which is currently being adapted as a television series. In addition to her clinical practice, she writes The Atlantic’s weekly “Dear Therapist” advice column. In this episode, she shares her non-traditional path to become an MFT. She discusses how her column provides a window into how therapists think about everyday dilemmas, helping to normalize getting help and prioritizing mental health.

Eliana Gil is the founding partner of the Gil Instititue for Trauma Recovery and Education. A play therapy pioneer, Gil talks about integrating family therapy and play therapy and finding ways to invite children into the adult world through alternate ways of expression. She talks about how to feel comfortable in working with kids and enliven a process that many struggle with verbally. Finally, she shares that playfulness is for everyone, and has the ability to change energy and make people more present, often leading adults to rediscover their creativity and imagination.

Ben Fineman is an associate MFT and Caroline Wiita is a marriage and family therapist in training. Together they host the podcast Very Bad Therapy, which talks about what goes wrong in the therapy room and how it could go better, interviewing both clients who have had bad experiences and experts who share insight from their years of experience. In this episode, they discuss the need for young professionals to normalize asking for help, learning from mistakes, and self-reflection to improve client outcomes.The AAMFT Podcast is going live! Featuring interviews with authors from the Handbook of Systemic Family Therapy, a ground-breaking reference work on both the profession and the practice of systemic family therapy, guests discuss global mental health and other topics.See https://www.aamft.org/podcastlive for upcoming free, live episodes.

Dr. Markie Twist is an award-winning sexuality educator and sexologist. In this episode, she discusses attachment and sexuality in the digital age and the need for MFTs to treat technology as a growing, changing member of the relational system. The Couple and Family Technology framework she co-developed is explained, as well as assessment and four essential micro-skills in addressing technology. Finally, she talks about the pandemic’s impact on digital intimacy.The AAMFT Podcast is going live! Featuring interviews with authors from the Handbook of Systemic Family Therapy, a ground-breaking reference work on both the profession and the practice of systemic family therapy, guests discuss global mental health and other topics. See https://www.aamft.org/podcastlive for upcoming free, live episodes.

Celia Falicov is a family therapist, author, teacher, and clinician, internationally known for her work with Latino and immigrant populations. In this episode, she shares how she was shaped by her upbringing in Argentina, and later as she migrated to the US and studied in London. She discusses the differentiation between cultural diversity and social justice and reflects on the biggest changes she’s seen in cultural competency in the field along with the specific skills MFTs can use to increase cultural awareness.Now, see The AAMFT Podcast interviews in real time! Join us for The AAMFT Podcast Live Series, featuring interviews with authors from the Handbook of Systemic Family Therapy, a ground-breaking reference work on both the profession and the practice of systemic family therapy. Each session is free and offers one hour of continuing education. Register here for the first event with Gwyn Daniel on March 5.

Michael Yapko is a clinical psychologist and marriage and family therapist, internationally recognized for his work in developing strategic outcome focused psychotherapists and advancing the clinical applications of hypnosis. In this episode, he shares stories of the pioneers in the field that influenced him, and his own work in applying systemic thinking to hypnosis and strategic therapy. He dispels myths about hypnosis and discusses the nature of suggestion imbedded in all therapy, and how he merges it into the treatment of depression.

Jose Szapocznik, of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is the developer of Brief Strategic Family Therapy and one of the nation’s leading family therapists specializing in Hispanic families. In this episode, he discusses how he provides therapy consistent with Hispanic culture and using the family’s language. He shares how BSFT uses techniques from structural family therapy; transforming interactions from problematic to constructive using the family’s underlying strengths to heighten the human bond, and how it is kept brief by cultivating a highly participatory, governing coalition among the family.

Frank Dattilio, PhD, ABPP, is a leading figure in systemic therapy and clinical and forensic psychology, pioneering the integration of cognitive behavioral therapy with family systems. In this episode, he shares how his family of origin built resilience and shaped his career pursuits and gives practical insight into how CBT is used in a systems context. Frank reflects on the state of the profession and his desire to have his model and techniques used by future generations of MFTs.

Dr. Harlene Anderson is a founding member of the Houston Galveston Institute, and a cofounder for the Postmodern Collaborative Approach to therapy. With a psychology background, family therapy gave Anderson the systemic language and vocabulary to collaborate with clients as co-constructor. She discusses how speaking the family’s language models a listening/speaking process for families to use with one another, and allows the therapist to form a collaborative relationship that provides space for self-directed change.