The Family Psychologist
April 2019
Welcome to the Spring 2019 issue of The Family Psychologist (TFP).
Div. 43 Board
- Recognition of the Div. 43 Board of Directors
TFP editors would like to thank the Div. 43 leadership for their support of this publication.
President Address
- Ignoring Self-of-the-Therapist Makes Treatment Less Effective
Couple and family psychotherapy works. There is a growing body of research regarding effectiveness of couple and family-based treatments. We have a seat at the empirically validated table (Sexton, Ridley, & Kleiner, 2004). Having an evidence-based model to guide us (including therapist-specific factors) is essential.
By Susan Regas, PhD
Vice-President for Education
- Future Directions for CFP Education
Last year, the focus of this column was the challenges educators face at various stages of training in couples and family psychology (CFP), ranging from doctoral and internship/post-doctoral training to post-licensure continuing education. As I approach the end of my term as the division’s VP for education, I’d like to take this opportunity to discuss future directions for the division’s training and education activities.
By Shelley A. Riggs, PhD
Vice President for Practice
- Meet the newest Div. 43 Fellows
In this issue, we hear from new fellow Patricia Pitta, PhD. She is the director of the Postgraduate Integrative Couple and Family Therapy Program at St. John's University, and she is a diplomate in couple and family psychology and a Distinguished Fellow of the New York State Psychological Association.
By Allison B. Hill, PhD, JD
Vice President for Science
- Funding of Couple and Family Research: The Continuing Quest
One of my goals as VP of science for Div. 43 was to continue the multiyear efforts of current and past Div. 43 Board members to influence federal funding agencies regarding couple and family research.
By Steven L. Sayers, PhD
Practice Corner
- Avoiding the Morass of Multiple Relationship Ethics Violations
Real World Issues in Couple Therapy: Guest Author
By G. Andrew H. Benjamin
Student/ECP Corner
- Social Justice and Systemic Change: A Call to Action for Students and ECPs
As students and early career professionals (ECPs), a good majority of us have had more exposure to education and formal training in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) as it relates to education, training and the work that we do, allowing us to serve as change-makers in a multi-generational workforce.
By Shawndeeia Drinkard, PhD
Forensic Corner
- Therapy Amid Conflicting Allegations Precautions, Best Practices and Ethical Obligations
In prior columns, we have addressed general considerations and essential competencies for providing effective therapy to court-involved families. Family psychologists can provide effective help to families who are negotiating the transitions and emotional distress that often accompany parental separation or involvement with the courts. A minority of cases, however, present particularly difficult challenges and ethical and clinical risks. These include situations in which a therapist is presented with conflicting allegations of abuse, trauma or the undermining of a parent-child relationship.
By Lyn Greenberg, PhD
Guest Article
- Consensual Non-Monogamy: A Brief Summary of Key Findings and Recent Advancements
This past year, Div. 44 (Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity) has formed a task force on consensual non-monogamy (CNM), in recognition of relationship diversity, which intersects with sexual/gender identities in interesting ways. The task force formation also recognizes that consensual non-monogamies are becoming more of a focus of research and clinical practice than in the past, as changes in society affect how people approach intimate relationships and family formation.
By Richard A. Sprott, PhD, and Heath Schechinger, PhD
Reference Corner
- A Review of "Treating the Difficult Divorce: A Practical Guide for Psychotherapists" by Jay L. Lebow
From Reference Corner Editor Linda Berg-Cross, PhD: Ralph Fretz, PhD, is a psychologist who is licensed in New Jersey and Florida and is board-certified in couple and family psychology He has been a practicing clinician since 1982. His family training includes two years with Harry Aponte and one year with Sal Minuchin. He currently works as a research director for a company that partners with public agencies to provide correctional treatment services.
By Ralph Fretz, PhD, ABPP
Candidate Statements
- Candidate Statements for Div. 43 Board
Please review the following candidate statements to prepare for the upcoming 2019 Div. 43 election.