The AAMFT Podcast

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.

Peter Fraenkel is internationally recognized clinical psychologist, writer, and presenter who specializes in last chance couples therapy. In this episode, he discusses his origins in the field and how he uses an integrated systems approach to work with couples on the brink of divorce. He shares techniques for an action-oriented, empirical approach using principles that help couples generate new thoughts and feelings about each other.

This week’s episode features chairs of AAMFT’s Topical Interest Networks to discuss emerging trends in their topic area and the benefits of being a member of the group.Dr. Christopher Belous, chair of the Couples and Intimate Relationships topical interest network, is an associate professor and the clinical director of the family therapy program at Purdue University Northwest. He discusses the value that the network offers members through trainings, research, consultation groups, and the belonging found as part of this network.Jackie Williams-Reade is chair of the Family Therapists in Healthcare network and professor at Loma Linda University. She talks about the integration of healthcare into mental health and how the TIN is addressing needs for MFTs who work in healthcare settings- both experienced and new to the field.Learn more at www.aamft.org/TIN

Linda Hershman has been in practice for more than twenty years and is a frequent presenter, educating public and practitioners on healthy divorce. As divorce trends towards older demographics, Linda breaks down the risk factors, demographics, emotional/economic fears, and the impact on adult children that accompany gray divorce. She discusses how therapy can help family systems navigate the decisions and aftereffects of gray divorce.

Norm Epstein and Don Baucom are the creators of the cognitive behavioral couples therapy model. In this episode, they recount their individual backgrounds as well as how they met and began collaborating. The discuss the emotional component of CBT and the critical understanding that it is not just a set of techniques, but requires a thoughtful and authentic therapist to relate to the couple. Norm shares his vision to adapt CBT for diverse cultures, and Don points to future projects of developing a comprehensive, integrated model of healthy couple relationships.

Bill O’Hanlon is a speaker and author, known for his work in developing Solution-Oriented Therapy. In this episode, he discusses the model as providing systemic, non-blame context to influence positive change in the present maintenance and future shift of problems. He talks about Milton Erickson’s impact on him, and the difference between the solution-focused and solution-oriented approaches. Finally, Bill shares his next project and performs a song he wrote.

Jay Lebow is a Clinical Professor of Psychology at Northwestern University known for his contributions to the field of MFT and his work with high-conflict divorce. In this episode, he talks about assessment, offering communication structure and rules for couples while navigating messy divorce, and the importance of establishing a safe environment for all parties to move forward. Understanding the legal system, and self of therapist characteristics needed to manage the high conflict interface are also discussed.