The AAMFT Podcast

Jill and David Scharff are the founders of the International Psychotherapy Institute and collaborators on many books, most notably Object Relations Couple Therapy. They take us on the journey through their early careers, developing the object relations therapy technique and how it should be integrated into MFT training, starting the IPI, and what has driven them through their decades of work.

Cloe Madanes is a world-renowned teacher and innovator of strategic family therapy. In this episode, she discusses her origin story, her career journey, and her personal and professional relationship with Jay Haley. She shares a story about being hypnotized by Milton Erickson, as well as working with other pioneers of systemic therapy. Finally, she discusses her most recent project of partnering with Tony Robbins to train on strategic intervention.

Erica Hartwell is an associate professor at Fairfield University, where she has launched a certificate program for working with sexual and gender minorities. She is the chair of the Queer and Trans Advocacy Network. In this episode, Erica discusses how to provide affirmative and effective care for clients with a different social identity than you, and how QTAN’s seat at the table can help the profession best support society.

Dr. Alexandra Solomon is a licensed clinical psychologist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. In this episode, she talks about therapists taking a holistic approach to help clients reclaim their sexuality and to communicate their desires to build satisfying relationships, and why it's important to train young MFTs to become more comfortable dealing with sexual issues in the therapy room.

In a special edition of The AAMFT Podcast, Eli shares his interview with the late Dr. Karen Wampler, a major contributor to the field of marriage and family in the areas of academia and research. They discuss her role as editor-in-chief of the upcoming Handbook of Systemic Family Therapy, into which she poured her immense talents and vision to spearhead this work that will have an enduring impact on the profession.

Katherine Hertlein is a professor at UNLV whose research and publications have been recognized with multiple awards including a Fulbright Scholarship. In this episode, she discusses how technology influences couple and family therapy and how social media, online infidelity, and telehealth impact the delivery of services.

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.