Richard “Dick” Schwartz, PhD, is the creator of the Internal Family Systems model and the founder of the Internal Family Systems Institute. He discusses how the model came together and overcoming the struggles of initial rejection from the field. In an authentic conversation, he reflects on his work and life.

Leslie Anderson, LMFT, and Sheeza Mohsin, LMFT, talk about their experiences as MFT minority students and instructors. They discuss diversity, inclusion, and dialogues about race dynamics in the classroom, how majority groups can model inclusion and use privilege to benefit marginalized communities, and how the profession can attract more minority candidates. Finally, Jermaine Lowery, Director of AAMFT’s Minority Fellowship Program talks about opportunities and eligibility for the fellowship program. 

In this episode, Eli sits down with Dr. Jaime Goff and Dr. Sara Blakeslee Salkil to discuss the MFT Licensure exam. Jaime holds a Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy from Michigan State University and a Certificate in Executive Coaching from Southern Methodist University. Sara is the program director of the online Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy program and Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies.First, they share some of the biggest fears and concerns students have surrounding the exam. Then they provide some background information on the exam. They share their best tips and tricks on how to prepare for the exam.  If you are preparing to take the exam, this is the podcast for you!

Scott Sells holds a Ph.D. in both Marriage and Family Therapy and Social Work from Florida State University. He has over 20 publications and has authored three books including “Treating the Traumatized Child: A Step-by-Step Family Systems Approach.” Scott specializes in working with impossible or stuck cases whose families have not been successful with other counselors.First, Scott explains what first drew him to the field and how he started as an MFT. He then discusses how he induced the PLL model and the experiences that led to developing it. He gives valuable tips to young therapists including the importance of maintaining balance in your life. In the final moments, Scott gives details about the model and the techniques he uses in his sessions.

Fred P. Piercy, PhD, is professor and head of the Department of Human Development at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Dr. Piercy has won both national and university teaching awards. He has written over 160 published articles, 5 books, and 35 funded grants. Dr. Piercy served as the editor of the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy from 2012-2017. In this episode, Dr. Piercy discusses how he first gained interest in the profession and what led him to be an MFT. He begins with his journey into Academia and his favorite thing he has ever written. Fred explains how research shaped the MFT field over the years and the future of doctoral education. Lastly, he talks about the many lessons that he has learned from his students.

Dr. Toni Zimmerman is an expert on all things AAMFT Supervision. She has directed the CSU Family Therapy program for almost 25 years. She has won many awards in her academic career and she is a staple in the Fundamentals of Supervision training program at AAMFT. Eli sits down with Toni to discuss the trends in MFT Supervision and her impact in the field. She first discusses her origin story and some of the biggest changes in the field since she started, including a discussion about video supervision. She gives advice to supervisees on how to have difficult conversations with their supervisor when there may be an issue. And she provides tips on how to interview potential Supervisors.Lastly, Toni goes into to details about the AAMFT Approved Supervisor Designation and how it excels over other programs.

Guy Diamond is the Professor Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Associate Professor at Drexel University in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Along with his co-authors, Drs. Gary Diamond and Suzanne Levy, Dr. Diamond has written the first book on ABFT, Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Depressed Adolescents. In this episode, Eli chats with Guy about how he discovered attachment styles and how he would describe his own attachment style based on his family origin. Guy dives into the biggest eye openers and challenges that he faced when he began his career. He then discusses his research findings and how it has benefited the field. Lastly, Guy Diamond talks about his projects and what he hopes to contribute to the future of the field.

Terry Real is the founder of the Relational Life Institute, a family therapist and teacher for 30 years, and an author of many popular books including his breakout book “I Don’t Want to Talk About It”. In this episode, Terry discusses how his family dynamics led him to pursue therapy and details how his father and other life experiences  brought him to working with men specifically facing mental health issues. He also discusses the three types of narcissism that are attributed to men and the ways to disarm them. In the last moments, he discusses his shift to couples and where he thinks the field of couple therapy is headed. Finally, he discusses how he wants to be remembered in the field.

Dr. Ben Caldwell is part of the faculty at California State Northridge, an author of five books, and the chair of the Legislative and Advocacy Committee for the California division of AAMFT.In a discussion about advocacy and his thoughts on the MFT profession, Eli and Ben talk about his origin story as an MFT and how he started his work in advocacy. He expresses why advocacy should be important to students and young professionals, and discusses how MFTs can help change the stigma of going to therapy. Lastly, he talks about the biggest changes and trends in the field.

Michele Weiner-Davis is an internationally renowned relationship expert, best-selling author, and professional speaker that specializes in helping people change their lives and improve important relationships. Eli sits down with Michele and discusses her own struggles that made her a better therapist, parent, and spouse. She discusses her origin story and discusses who her biggest influences were in her career. Michele recalls her own personal experience with receiving therapy and the benefit that it had on her career. Lastly, Michele discusses some of the new programs and books she has coming out that address infidelity in couples.