OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NEWSLETTER JULY 2008 President’s Column USING OUR GIFTS WELL

Word is out—we don’t need to we look at the individuals em- keep on convincing the world bededness in the extended fam- that family systems approaches ily, school, church, and the are special, comprehensive, and impact of racism, sexism, and INSIDE THIS ISSUE: effective. Everyone understands cultural bias (Boyd-Franklin, through the popular media, 1989). , specialized training, or personal Braulio Montalvo, and Harry experience that we have a gem Aponte (another AFTNC pre-  AFTNC Annual in our hands that shines senter) and others treated se- brightly. We also know that the vere disorders at the Philadel- Conference interview training, methodology, and phia Child Guidance Clinic and with presenter Valerie applications in our field have at Penn Hospital and reached Terry Patterson, Whiffen... p. 4 shifted dramatically over the out to the impoverished West AFTNC President past fifty years from a narrow Philadelphia community around  Growing up in the focus on the private consulting them (Minuchin, Montalvo, invited to a recent meeting of the Field (a commentary on room to the larger world. The Guerney, and Rosman 1967). American Asso- the mentoring pro- question remains: Where are Virginia Satir (Satir, 1972) went ciation (AFTA) a few months gram)… p. 7 we placing our energy in light of from Palo Alto to the nation back and were delighted to find the real needs in our communi- and the world promoting clear that AFTA members share our  Association Matters… ties and the world? communication and facilitating perspectives and goals for dis- intergroup relations through p. 8 To guide us, let’s look at what seminating family models to lar- what is now the Satir World some of the leaders in our field ger systems. Members from both  Network. The precedent has Remembering Michael have done. Nancy Boyd- associations spoke of their in- been set—we can no longer White… p. 10 Franklin (the presenter with her volvement in disaster relief, re- hide our gifts or make them husband AJ at our annual con- turning war veterans, immi-  available only to the privileged. grants, the inner city poor, and Michael Searle ference in 2006) early defined Memorial… p. 12 an “ecosystems” model in which Many of us were pleased to be (Continued on page 3) Excerpt… p. 13 AFTNC COUNCIL  2008 Conference Terry Patterson, President [email protected] 415-567-9203 Shawn V. Giammattei, Treasurer [email protected] 415-722-7134 Description… p. 14 Jay Seiff-Haron, Membership Chair [email protected] 415-845-2337 Roger Lake, Program Committee [email protected] 415-567-7786 Schedule and Mary T. Cronin, Program Committee [email protected] 415-693-9495 Costs...p. 15 Lori Ono, Listserv Coordinator [email protected] Betty Wallace, Video Librarian [email protected] Registration Sara Mizban, Conference Committee Co-Chair [email protected] 310-413-2323 Linda Klann, Conference Committee Co-Chair [email protected] 415-596-1845 Form...p. 16 Lara Ezrin, Student Rep., Mentor Program [email protected] 415-377-5629 Christine Yang, Student Representative [email protected] 415-676-1515 Christina R. Cook, Student Representative [email protected] 415-515-8828 Ron Pilato, Member-at-Large [email protected] 415-337-0805 Alena Schabes, Newsletter Editor [email protected] 510-381-5718 JULY 2008 PAGE 2

EDITOR’S COLUMN NEWSLETTER FORMAT: I am excited to introduce myself as your newly instated AFTNC newsletter editor. My name is Alena Schabes and I WEB OR PRINT MEDIA? have been recruited to fill this position while Michelle Ma- son now shifts her attention to other areas of her life and career. Michelle has been a superb newsletter editor over the past two years and I hope to be able to do the job half as As we become immersed in the digital age, we are well as she has. She created a wonderful new format for the using the internet as a crucial component of our newsletter and has helped to make it accessible in an on-line association. The past two AFTNC newsletters format. It is with Michelle’s assistance and input as well as have been available exclusively through the web the support of our President Terry Paterson and other sig- nificant AFTNC members that I have been able to publish and some questions have been raised about the dis- my first issue of the AFTNC newsletter. tribution of the newsletter and which medium is I have been a member of preferable. We would really like members to read AFTNC since early on in and enjoy our newsletter, which is an important my training as my in- communication tool and a representation of our structors at CSPP turned me on to family therapy association. Below is an outline of the benefits for practices and inadver- both a web-based newsletter and a printed one. tently to this organiza- To contribute to this dialogue, email or call the tion. Over the years, I newsletter editor, Alena Schabes. have very much enjoyed attending AFTNC’s an- Pros for a web-based newsletter: nual conferences and seminars, consulting and  Saves paper and trees collaborating with veter- ans in the field of family  Lowers the cost for production Alena Schabes therapy, resourcing in- Alena Schabes formation and learning  Eliminates the need to discard and recycle new ideasAlena through Schabes the listserv, and proudly being a member your newsletter of what we know to be the oldest family therapy association in the universe.  Available in digital format and on the web In this issue, you will find information about our annual con- Pros for a printed newsletter: ference and a wonderful interview with the presenter of this year’s conference, Valerie Whiffen. Because of the recent  Available anywhere you take it and you can passing of Michael White and Michael Searle, two huge con- tributors to the field of family therapy, this issue also con- peruse it at your leisure tains tributes to their lives and work in the field of family therapy. If you would like to contribute to future newslet-  Clip and save information from the newsletter ters with reactions to articles you have read, information you find interesting about an area of expertise that you have, personal experi- ences that are relevant to the field of family therapy, or trib-  Accessible to members who do not use the utes to important people in the field, please feel free to con- computer much and can be passed along to tact me with any ideas you have. I also welcome suggestions non-members that may not know about our about the newsletter and ways it can be improved. I can be contacted via email at alenaschabes@ hotmail.com. I look association forward to hearing from you!

ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA JULY 2008 PAGE 3 President’s Column (continued from page 1) AFTNC 2008 Annual Conference those whose voices are drowned out by the din of politics and preju- dice. We know we can offer family therapy pro bono and in other Presenter ways where it is needed most. But, If we offer it will they come? Or more fundamentally, Do they want what we have to offer? A qualified Valerie Whiffen, PhD answer is yes, but where they come and what we offer need close examination. Author of Consistent research has shown that those in greatest need seek friends and relatives, churches, and primary care providers as their Secret Sadness: main sources of help (after Oprah and Dr. Phil!). Relatively few seek family therapists first. So an energetic focus on the media The hidden relationship patterns that make women depressed (particularly local), information sessions in churches, schools, and community centers, liaison with community clinics as a way of in- Saturday & Sunday, forming parents, veterans, the isolated, and others about the real help we can provide can be a first step in meeting needs where they November 1st & 2nd exist. at Westerbeke Ranch, Sonoma And one more area for us to target: systems consultation to all types of community organizations from schools and churches and non profits to businesses and hospitals on how they can effectively address prob- lems they face through a comprehensive approach. We already know Valerie E. Whiffen, Ph.D., has been a professor and much about consultation from our training, and we can also apply clinical psychologist in private practice since 1988 in another model developed by the psychiatrist Gerald Caplan (Caplan, 1964) as a foundation for the community mental health movement. Canada. She is professor of psychology at the Univer- sity of Ottawa, where she teaches students to do I propose that AFTNC join with AFTA to form a local network to reach out to our communities to initially offer pro bono systems con- interpersonal therapy with depressed women and sultation to our local communities, following a sequence of steps: therapy with couples who  Invite others, including seasoned professionals, early career are struggling with one clinicians, and students to be involved; partner's depression. She  Meet to share ideas, develop a common foundation in theory serves as a peer reviewer and practice, and identify some initial goals; for several professional psychological journals.  Continue to meet for a period of time to train each other on an effective intervention model; Whiffen has authored nu- merous chapters in profes-  Reach out to community groups to test the model; bring feed- back to the group for refinement; sional books and more than forty journal articles.  Publish our results and expand to specialized consultation Valerie Whiffen groups. She is coauthor of Attach- ment Processes in Couple I believe that this process can be an exciting extension of our current activities and energize AFTNC and perhaps local communities as and Family Therapy with Susan Johnson. Her primary well. I expect that it will also refresh our awareness of the value of research interests are gender and depression. She is focused, skilled systems consultation and encourage many to build currently engaged in a long-term study examining the this approach into their practices as a productive (and revenue- generating) endeavor. I’ll be announcing a convening meeting interpersonal influences on girls and women's depres- through the AFTNC list serve and on the web site before the Fall. sion. Please contact me at [email protected] if you would like to be in- volved, and we’ll connect with each other and move on from there!

References: Boyd- Franklin, N. (1989). Black Families In Therapy: A Multisystems Approach. New York: Guilford Press. Caplan, G. (1964) Principles of preventative therapy. New York: Basic Books. Minuchin, S., Montalvo, B., Guerney, B, and Rossman, B. (1967). Families of the slums: An exploration of their structure and treatment. Satir, V. M. (1972). Peoplemaking. Palo Alto, CA: Science and Behavior Books. ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA JULY 2008 PAGE 4

ANNUAL CONFERENCE INTERVIEW OF VALERIE WHIFFEN, PHD By Linda Klann

LK: Valerie, we are very excited to have the treatment of depression and couples you joining us for the AFTNC confer- therapy. ence this year! For those who are not familiar with you, can you tell us a little LK: We have a wonderful mix of interns about yourself? as well as experienced each clinicians VW: Thanks Linda. I’m very excited to who attend the conference year; what have been invited by AFTNC, and I’m can each group expect to get from the looking forward to meeting you all. It’s conference? always hard to say ‘who you are’ in VW: I hope to offer something for every- twenty-five words or less, but I’ll do body. Interns will learn a lot about my best! For twenty years I was a pro- women’s depression, which is one of the fessor in the clinical psychology pro- most common mental health problems gram at the University of Ottawa in they are likely to encounter in their clini- Canada. My work was primarily in the cal work. They’ll also hear how Linda Klann graduate program, teaching courses on women’s depression is systemic, and couple therapy as the depressed woman’s Psychopathology and Interpersonal how clinicians need to be willing to needs evolved, which made me much Theory, and supervising the clinical move between therapeutic modalities to more effective clinically. The second training of students in our practicum really effect change. Experienced clini- formative event took place on a sunny and internship. Then a few years ago, cians likely already know a great deal rooftop in London, England on a late Sep- my husband and I decided to gear down about depression, but they may less tember afternoon. I was learning how to and spend more time together as a fam- aware of either the interpersonal origins administer the Life Events Interview, ily with our son, who was twelve years of depression or its impact on the couple which was developed by George Brown old at the time. Both of us longed to and family systems. I hope to give them to study the role of life stress in women’s come home to the West Coast, so we this meta-perspective on a problem that depression. One afternoon, Dr. Brown moved to the Sunshine Coast near Van- often is conceptualized and treated in invited me to sit on the rooftop with him couver in 2004. While my husband isolation. and talk about my work. In that conver- supervised the building of our new sation, we talked about how girls grow up house, I coped by going into our trailer LK: In your book A Secret Sadness, you in families with a depressed mother, how every day and writing a book on weave a great deal of research together they experience conflicts with their moms women’s depression, which I called A to make a compelling argument for how and insecure attachment to her, and how Secret Sadness. Occasionally I would a relational dynamic contributes to and this shaky basis leads these girls to make look up, see that the house still wasn’t maintains a woman’s depression. Was bad life choices, particularly about men. finished, and go back to work. Ulti- there something particular that occurred These young women go on to have chil- mately, I finished the book before he which highlighted this dynamic for you? dren with these men, and the marriage finished the house! For the next three either falls apart or is a source of chronic years, I ‘commuted’ back to Ottawa for VW: A couple of formative events oc- unhappiness. The whole model came one term a year so I could finish up a curred. First, in my clinical work with together for me in that conversation; I big longitudinal study I had started on depressed women, I saw the connection suddenly saw how women’s depression is adolescent daughters of depressed time and time again between depression being transmitted across the generations moms, and supervise my graduate stu- and marital problems. This link was so through insecure attachment and the bad dents. Last June, I decided to move to strong that I asked Sue Johnson, who you life choices women make as a result. the West Coast full-time, a decision know as the co-developer of EFT, to that was cheered by my husband and teach me how to work with couples, LK: Your book focuses on women in dif- son. Now I’m in private practice in which she very graciously did. That per- (Continued on page 5) West Vancouver where I specialize in mitted me to switch from individual to

ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA JULY 2008 PAGE 5

(Whiffen interview continued from page 3) LK: How does your focus on how rela- LK: Many therapists, myself included, tional patterns impact women effect your like to talk about our “success stories”; ferent roles: from the woman as an work with couples? yet some of my greatest learning has individual (with her own history from come out of sessions where I hit a VW: I am aware that depressed women her family of origin) to the woman in a wall and screwed up. What is one of either withdraw from their romantic part- couple as a partner, to the woman in a the most memorable but significant ners or cling to them and constantly seek family as a parent. How does this con- times you hit a wall as a therapist? reassurance. By the time I see the couple, ceptualization shape what you clini- the non-depressed partner is playing his VW: I worked with a couple several cally focus on? complementary role in the dance. In cou- years ago in which the wife was con- VW: I think it’s very important to be ples therapy, I help them to see the pursue- vinced her husband had had an affair. able to move between individual and withdraw dance as something that makes There was no “evidence” to speak of systemic therapies when working with both of them unhappy, which heightens and he consistently denied her allega- depressed women, either couple or attachment insecurity for both. I show tions, both in individual and couple family therapy, depending on sessions. Eventually, he gave us a your clients’ needs. I also think plausible and extremely humiliating that my work with depressed ...THEY MAY BE LESS AWARE OF explanation for the event that had trig- women is much more focused EITHER THE INTERPERSONAL ORI- gered her suspicions, which utterly now than it was in the past. GINS OF DEPRESSION OR ITS IM- convinced me he was telling the truth Because I was trained to work PACT ON THE COUPLE AND FAM- – why else would he admit such a experientially, I used to give thing? But she remained implacable, women lots of room to explore ILY SYSTEMS. I HOPE TO GIVE and refused to consider any possibility and let these connections THEM THIS META-PERSPECTIVE that the issue was at least in part her emerge. I’m still experiential- ON A PROBLEM THAT OFTEN IS mistrust related to a previous abusive humanistic in my interventions, marriage. That experience really but I’m always thinking sys- CONCEPTUALIZED IN ISOLATION. humbled me. Sometimes I just can’t temically and interpersonally. help. As Sue Johnson likes to say, I LK: How do you see yourself and the have a “roadmap” now so I know them how they can change the dance and model continuing to grow and expand where I’m going. I no longer ask get more of their emotional needs met. in the future? questions for which I don’t already know (at least a general way) the an- LK: In your book you mention how there VW: I’m finding full time clinical swer! are some similarities and differences be- work very challenging! As an aca- tween working with heterosexual and les- demic, my job was to boil ideas down bian couples. What are some of the signifi- to relatively simple and testable LK: You talk of doing both individual cant differences one needs to be aware of? truths. Now I am learning what most and couples work, given the awareness clinicians already knew – people are you have of the impact of depression VW: The literature on marital distress was not always what the books and re- and family of origin dynamics as well compiled almost exclusively on heterosex- search tell us they should be. That’s as your work with women who are ual couples. There are important differ- humbling too. But my thinking has mothers, do you do any family work? ences in the ways men and women com- always moved between practice and municate and in the importance we place VW: I don’t, but I would love to learn research, so I’m confident these new on relationships. So, to me it seems inevi- how. Guy Diamond has developed an clients will teach me new lessons and table that a male/male relationship or a attachment-based model for working stimulate new ideas. I’m already con- female/female one is going to look very with parents and their depressed ado- sidering writing my next book on how different from a female/male one, whether lescents. When I have time, I would gender gets played out in marital rela- it’s happy or not. I think we need to do love to take a workshop with him and in marital relationships, particularly much more research on gay and lesbian learn how to do this. when they’re distressed …. couples to find out what both distressed

and non-distressed relationships look like. Linda Klann is a MFT with a private practice in San Francisco.

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“MAKING BETTER MEN” RAM GOKUL AFTNC EVENT MAY 2008 SCHOLARHSIP FUND Review by Catherine Sancimino AFTNC has created a scholarship fund in honor of the late Ram Gokul to help support members committed to family therapy who otherwise would not be able to af- ford to attend the conference. If you are interested in applying for the scholarship fund, please contact Sara Mizban at (510) 428-1913 or [email protected] for more information.

MENTOR PROGRAM AFTNC Mentor Program matches practitioners in the field with family therapy students from graduate schools in the Bay Area. A pot-luck dinner successfully launched the program in Catherine Sancimino May 2006, which now includes 10 mentors and 30 mentees. AFTNC’s “Making Better Men” event on May 9th Opportunities to meet with be planned throughout the year. If you are interested in becoming a mentor or mentee, contact spotlighted Roger Lake, Bart Rubin, and Jesus Lara Ezrin at (415) 377-5629 or [email protected]. De La Rosa, three male therapists, who spoke about working with men in a therapeutic setting. See article on page 7. The presentations included discussions of the VIDEO LIBRARY meaning of masculinity, the meaning of the therapist’s own gender, some issues that arise One of the unique benefits of being an AFTNC member is the ability to with female therapists and male clients, and the borrow over 100 therapy tapes and DVDs from our extensive collection at no cost, and it’s easy! The library is maintained by Betty Taylor, significance of relationship, ceremony, and rit- AFTNC administrative assistant, at the University of San Francisco. ual. Comments from the audience spurred a dis- Most videos are still in VHS format, although Keith Sutton is in the cussion about some of the common challenges process of transferring them to DVD. You can pick up the tapes person- ally if you wish, or have them sent to you for a two week period. The that can arise when treating male clients and how success of the library relies both on our responsiveness and your mental healthy practitioners can work with the promptness in paying the mailing fees and returning the video promptly. material that arises. Authenticity, recognizing You will normally receive it about one week after you call (pickups are faster). To check out a video, just follow these steps: the client’s pain, inviting the client to complain, and identifying any history of trauma and related  Search the video library at AFTNC.com shame were all identified as ways to improve the  Contact Betty at [email protected] and arrange for therapeutic alliance. pickup or mailing

Catherine Sancimino is a Psy.D. student at CIIS. She is  Send stamps or a check for $4 per video made out to AFTNC, c/o doing her current practicum at Oakland Children’s Hospital Terry Patterson, Department of (Ed 017), University of San Francisco,San Francisco, CA 94117-1080 Autism Intervention.

ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA JULY 2008 PAGE 7

GROWING UP IN THE FIELD BY MICHAEL BRENDLER

“Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that I’m at the “launching” stage of my we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in career. I’ve finished graduate detention for whatever it was we did school, I’ve accrued my post-doc wrong. What we did was wrong, but we hours, and I’m about to take the think you're crazy to make us write an licensure exam. I’ve about jumped essay telling you who we think we are. through most all the hoops and find You see us as you want to see us – in the myself at the simplest terms and the most convenient world’s crossroads between de- definitions. But what we found out is that pendence and independence. I’m each one of us is ... a brain...and an ath- certainly not completely new to lete... and a basket case...a princess...and the game, but I’m no seasoned veteran Michael Brendler a criminal. Does that answer your ques- either. Similar to the teenagers I work problem and how alone I felt in solving it. tion? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.” with, professionally, I find myself asking But the support I found in the AFTNC’s This is my favorite quote from one of the lots of questions about who I am and what mentoring program felt different. So has movies that meant something to me when I that means in relation to having more inde- the shift in my perspective. was in high school. The Breakfast Club is a pendence and less training support. John Hughes movie from the 1980’s which To the best of my understanding, the These days I find myself thinking less about spoke brilliantly to the adolescent identity AFTNC’s mentoring program began two who I am as a therapist than I do about exploration of white suburban America. years ago. The idea seemed to be about how well the work I do suits my profes- Some twenty years later, doing therapy in rekindling an old tradition in the associa- sional values and interests. I notice now the public school system in Oakland, I still tion of mentorship, only this time via a that as my professional identity feels more find meaning in that quote. The quote more formal structure. This made intuitive intact, I have become more thoughtful speaks to the heart of the adolescent di- sense to me. Though my understanding of about the ways in which that identity lemma – asking who we are in relation to economics is limited, recently I’ve seen emerges. Certainly the transition between the social roles we play. It seems that even salary figures decline and healthcare pay- training and independent practice is long today, teenagers of all backgrounds still ments reduce for psychotherapists. Re- and drawn out. Navigating this transition focus a lot of energy on understanding who cently, healthcare has become a political inevitably involves different paths for dif- they are. And they do so through a proc- and social hot button, which has led to ferent therapists. While I can’t say for ess that is shaped by the fear and hope in- increased attention to healthcare spending certain where exactly my insights leave me voked by the lure of independence. Who and an inevitable squeezing of mental along my path, I continue to feel pulled to we are and what that means in relation to health pay-outs. This has created a new know myself more deeply as a therapist, our sense of freedom and having less struc- financial model for working as a psycho- and more alone with the questions that tured support remain defining themes dur- therapist “in the system,” and new implica- arise. ing the teen years. tions for the young therapist. This model, A little over a year ago my thinking about which pays lower relative wages, focuses As I think about the development of my my career was largely limited to a combi- more on documentation and high client own professional identity, while being far nation of panic, avoidance, and uncertainty volume, and often leaves institutions removed from my adolescence, I view my about the future. I realize that this is not a scrambling to build in clinical training and career development as still very much wholly uncommon experience, particu- transitioning from its youth to adulthood. (Continued on page 9) larly given how much this felt like my

ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA JULY 2008 PAGE 8

Association Matters Contributed by AFTNC President, Terry Patterson

 We are progressing on a number of fronts, although the revision of our website has had some glitches. We are working on these and hope to have all aspects functional before the end of summer.  The Fall conference looks to be stimulating and fun, with many opportunities to renew con- nections and make new ones. Please plan to attend and obtain continuing education credits as well.  We are renewing our contacts with schools offering family therapy concentrations, and look to members for names of students and faculty who can disseminate information on AFTNC membership and events. Please contact me with potential names.  The mentoring program remains active, and anyone interested in either mentoring or find- ing a mentor please contact Lara Ezrin [email protected]  Our program committee has a schedule of activities for the remainder of the year, and will be providing regular updates on the website and the listserve.  Finally, my soapbox: When I think of why I belong to AFTNC and would want others to join, I keep coming up with compelling reasons. With so many other organizations, fees, and demands on our time, AFTNC membership really stands out as a value- added experience. Here it is in a nutshell for me—feel free to use it in speaking to others: Besides being the oldest family therapy organization, AFTNC has all the characteristics of being the friendliest and most accessible one. It’s local, and provides the opportunity to meet others in the Bay Area who are involved with training programs (including trainee- ships and internships), employment opportunities, professional enrichment, mentoring, and research. Many members are world-class clinicians, teachers, authors, and thinkers. Students are lively, enthusiastic, and involved, and come with a rich variety of personal and professional backgrounds. Many establish lasting friendships and colleagues. The many free programs for CE credit, the terrific annual conference in a warm setting, the referral database, the list serve, the video library, the newsletter--all for $75 (members) or $25 (students)--make it a “no brainer”. Join a state and a national organi- zation (or many) if you wish, and there’s still no burden involved in being an AFTNC member— just do it!

ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA JULY 2008 PAGE 9

GROWING UP IN THE FIELD (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7)

development. All this amidst an uncer- feeling drained and uninspired. I signed up in the schools and I dreamt about tain economic environment, with the for the mentoring program hoping that bringing more systems thinking to the costs of graduate education reaching some unbiased wisdom might provide a schools. As I talked more about my prohibitive levels, and the number of spark. work experiences, Terry encouraged new therapists entering the field is sky- my enthusiasm. My curiosity became I met Terry for the first time in his office. I rocketing. Budget cuts combined with less inhibited, and I became freer to be remember thinking it was clean and kind of increased needs for training sites seems creative and spontaneous. He too had formal. Terry looked serious. For a mo- to have left the system vulnerable to a been thinking of the ineffectiveness and ment I questioned my motives in signing up natural state of co-dependent dysfunc- inefficiency of traditional models of for the program and wondered what if any- tion. More often I see the clinical train- school-based psychotherapy. Over the thing might come of this meeting. But ing, growth, and development needs course of our meetings, he helped me Terry had an easy way about him. He spoke giving way to more pressing concerns for define and refine a model for providing slowly and with warmth and I quickly found billing client hours and audits. To this consultation/prevention/intervention myself at ease. He asked lots of questions. day, I wonder if the mentoring program services to schools with limited budg- His curiosity felt refreshing, but as we emerged in some way as a response to ets. He’s helped me deepen my think- talked, I began to feel myself slip into these declining supports for developing ing of the work, given me the confi- “interviewee” mode. Without any intention therapists. dence to follow my curiosity, and been to do so, I found myself angling for his ap- a great source of support. Another Last spring, I joined the AFTNC having proval and working hard to conceal this unexpected perk of our relationship moved to the Bay Area a year earlier for vulnerability. I watched as Terry seemed was that it has even led to new work my pre-doctoral internship. Profession- either unconcerned or unaware as I strug- opportunities for me. ally removed from the comforts of my gled to contain my insecurities. In that mo- graduate school roots and having out- ment of doubt, caught between my hope for The mentoring program has provided grown the temporary comforts of my recognition and my desire to be authentic, I me with many opportunities. It has internship, I found myself feeling small felt myself push up against the boundary stoked my curiosity about psychother- and overwhelmed by what I imagined lay between my “trainee” and “colleague” iden- apy, deepened my awareness, opened ahead. Over the years, balancing com- tities. I didn’t fully understand the com- doors, and provided direction. But peting demands like internships, disser- plexity of the feelings I was experiencing, more than anything, the mentoring tations, and studying for licensing exams but it became clear that continuing to push relationship has been about under- made it easy to put my more abstract this edge was somehow important. standing how to provide and receive career questions on the back burner. I support during times of transitions. Initially ,Terry and I met more frequently had few contacts, limited experience, It’s nice to know that in our small com- and over time we have met over lunch each broad interests, and was really just look- munity, development and growth are month. Terry didn’t just ask me about the ing for more experience to deepen my valued and supported. Thanks Terry. work I was doing, he also wanted to know skills as a therapist. Without a niche or about what I thought of what I was doing. an area of clear expertise, I was feeling He validated my questions, encouraged my Michael Brendler, Psy.D., directs two undirected and anxious. Years of heavy school-based intervention and prevention curiosities, and helped me focus my direc- case loads filled with inner-city trauma programs, and has a private practice in tion. I complained about the limitations of Oakland. and limited family resources had left me doing traditional one-on-one psychotherapy

ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA JULY 2008 PAGE 10

REMEMBERING MICHAEL WHITE BY VICKI DICKERSON (Reprinted with permission from www.familyprocess.org)

I am only one of many, many people writing (mostly in collaboration with Jeff whose lives were touched by Michael Zimmerman) and my teaching. White, so my memories are not neces- In 1999 I wrote a small article for the sarily unique, although they are dear to AFTA Newsletter honoring Michael as he me. I met Michael twenty years ago in was receiving the AFTA award that year one of his first teaching "gigs" in North for Distinguished Contribution to Family America. At the time he was still in- Therapy Theory and Practice. When I corporating a good deal of Batesonian asked Michael to look it over before I thinking in his presentations, but there submitted it, he wanted to ensure that I were also the first hints of "narrative," emphasized that it was not the person but drawing on the work of Jerome Bruner the ideas that were important. Undenia- (his theory wasn't called "narrative" bly, Michael, as a person, made a pro- until 1990). found impact on many, many people; even those who may not have been en-

tranced by narrative ideas found his pres- will be diluted (have already been so) by Michael's thinking profoundly influ- ence empowering. on the "story" aspect of the enced me on that day in September approach, thus often rendering invisible 1988; it changed my life personally, the politics, dominant and subjugating allowing me to experience myself in a In the spirit of the ideas, however, know- discourses, that shape any story. In my way that was both kinder and more ing that they will carry Michael's spirit for teaching I always emphasize politics and loving. What that encounter also pro- years to come, I would like to emphasize power as critical to an understanding of vided, however, was an invitation into a three specific ways of thinking that hold the ideas and the work. way of thinking about people, about what I believe are key to a narrative ap- problems, and about therapy that has proach. I will also give examples of how Another key to a narrative approach is a forever changed my way of working. I these ideas have influenced my own work. distinction between what Michael began cannot imagine thinking any other way. to call re-membering and re- The first is what seems to me to be core remembering, a distinction not subtle in to the ideas and the practice: narrative itself, but often missed in a quick reading In those early years I prided myself on therapy is an inherently "political" ap- of the words. All family therapists know believing I was reading what Michael proach. Building on Foucault's notion that context is supremely important: was reading: Geertz, Foucault, Der- that all relationships are relationships of how we perform our own lives and how rida, Edward Bruner, Jerome Bruner, power, Michael underlines the everyday we witness others. It is through a com- Victor Turner, Barbara Myerhoff, as I politics of gender, race, class, sexuality, munity of support that we can sustain a was continually introduced to new ideas age, and so on. It is not surprising that preferred performance; it is isolation from anthropology, literary theory, other critical thinkers in the field of family that feeds a problem identity. So, social psychology. I soon couldn't keep therapy also carry that banner: for exam- "membering" a community, identifying up, as Michael's learning process was ple, Rachel Hare-Mustin in Discourses in who we would like to be a part of our unstoppable. Over time, I was honored the Mirrored Room (1994), Kaethe , what I call creating allies, to be able to host Michael in many ap- Weingarten in Discourses of Intimacy is a both a narrative idea and a practice pearances in the U.S., even though his (1991), Ken Hardy's work on the Anat- that can ensure the continuance of a life work spread out to the far reaches, not omy of Oppression to name only a few. and an identity that fits what one only in North America, but also to in- wants. Re-membering calls on Barbara ternational sites. I was also able to help One of my concerns is that narrative ideas (Continued on page 11) spread Michael's ideas through my own

ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA JULY 2008 PAGE 11

REMEMBERING MICHAEL WHITE (continued from page 9)

Myerhoff's work with the aging Jewish together events that make visible compe- in to see me recently, the mother com- community in Venice; it is a calling tencies, skills, and performances that sup- menting that her 13-year old son was, as forth of those who can be with us as we port how one wants to live one's life. of that day, a 9th grader. The boy was in go forward in our lives. the 8th grade in an alternative school, The third concept that is a more recent having been expelled from the regular Re-remembering, on the other hand, is development in Michael's teaching is what middle school; he now, in mid-year, was a searching of a personal history that he called "absent but implicit." It is note- being unceremoniously dumped from his allows us to "thicken" a story, to see worthy that I first heard of this concept, alternative school over an alleged rule the trace, whether through other's eyes not from Michael himself, but through violation, and that he would be doing or our own, of events that punctuate a Kathie Crocket, the Director of Coun- independent study for the remainder of preferred identity. I often tell my cli- selor Education at the University of Wai- the year. The boy was adamant that he ents that "re-remembering"-what kato in Hamilton, New Zealand. This is had not broken the rule, and his parents works, how we have gotten through another example of how Michael's ideas believed him, as did I. When his dad this before, what we like about our- are widespread, integrated, and taught said, "It's too bad you won't be able to selves-is the cornerstone of a therapy again (a telling and re-telling). I was graduate; you must be sad about that," that is successful. I recently spoke with working with a woman in her early 50's the son said, "No, I'm not. I don't care!" a family, the parents of an 18-year old who had a lifelong relationship with anxi- So, I chimed in with "Well, you three son, who have major concerns that a ety. The client had agreed to have Kathie could have a graduation party." Mom lit depression that the young man had as a sit in on the session (Kathie was visiting up and said she was going to go get a 13-year old will return. The young me during her sabbatical year). In my cake, the boy was all smiles, and Dad man believes he has turned his life conversation with the client we discussed grinned. They left my office glad that around, that he has developed the skills how anxiety was making a presence in her the boy was going forward in his life and competencies to overcome disap- work life, and how disconcerting it was toward something that would no doubt pointment and stress. The parents fear because she really wanted to do a good work better for him. How did this hap- that his poor school performance may job. Near the end of the session, I had a pen? I was paying attention to the boy's make it difficult for him to attend the conversation with Kathie where she won- sense of integrity and the parents' 100% college of his choice and that he will dered if anxiety was an unintended nega- support of him-both "absent but im- succumb once again to depres- tive effect of my client's wanting to be plicit." sion. First, I asked him what were the responsible; and then she raised the ques- skills he had developed over the ensuing tion: "Do you think 'Sue' would prefer to These, then, are ideas that strike me as five years; he talked about focusing, think of herself as a woman run around by core to a narrative approach. Others attending to the task at hand, and be- anxiety or as a woman of responsibil- might pick different ones-there are so lieving in himself. I then asked his par- ity?" This question had a profound influ- many. But every time I talk with a cli- ents if there had been any difficulties in ence on my client. We often return to it, ent, every time I teach a group of stu- the last five years that he had managed, invoking Kathie's presence in the proc- dents, every time I write a professional where depression could have been the ess. Of course, 'Sue' would prefer to article, I am using ideas that I learned effect but didn't seem to be. They think of herself as a woman of responsibil- from Michael White. talked about a sports injury, a friend ity! When I talked with Kathie later, she who moved away, and then the dad said, "Well, the responsibility piece was In the days that followed my first learn- suddenly remembered a major event, there; it was 'absent but implicit.'" How ing of Michael's collapse and then his the death of a schoolmate. I wondered often do we focus on what is wrong, what death, I found myself talking to and if anyone noticed depression as an out- is problematic, or as Michael says, what is emailing people all over the world who I come; and, no, quite the contrary: the pro-problem? It is noticing what is ab- would otherwise never have met, never young man had been sad but had been sent, but somehow there nonetheless, that had the opportunity to get to know, to able to weather this storm. This is an can be empowering, can change direc- become good friends, to share interest- example of re-remembering, stringing tions. In another example, a family came (Continued on page 13)

ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA JULY 2008 PAGE 12 MICHAEL SEARLE MEMORIAL Contributed by Daniel Sonkin, PhD and Dean Lobovits, MA

On March 11, 2008, the Marriage and was still to come. Religiously, after Family Therapy profession lost an in- every group, we stopped by the Double credibly gifted member, Michael Rainbow ice cream parlor in North (Mike) Searle. Mike practiced in the Beach before going to his apartment San Francisco Bay Area for almost where he lived with his wife Julie. Upon thirty years. He was a talented thera- opening the door, we would be greeted pist, teacher, supervisor, and most by the aroma of one of Julie’s incredible importantly a devoted husband, father, homemade pies. After slicing up and and dear friend. scooping out the ice cream for all three of us, we sat down in his living room to Mike and Daniel met thirty years ago “Mike and I shared a love for Buddhism, watch Hill Street Blues. Those Thursday when Mike was working as an intern humanistic, and transpersonal psychol- evenings bonded us for life. Although nei- at Fort Help, a San Francisco non- ogy, which we had both encountered in ther of us served in the military, it was profit agency that offered counseling the early 1970s. We both shared a something close to being in the trenches to under-served populations, and commitment to working with demand- with your buddy. The work was incredibly Daniel at the San Francisco Family ing community mental health issues as difficult, but equally rewarding because we Violence Project: well. I joined Michael on the faculty of supported one another, watched out for JFKU in 1985 and soon after we began “I approached Mike to co-lead battery each other’s safety, and felt a deep bond sharing a private practice office to- treatment groups at the Family Vio- that comes from a common experience, gether in Berkeley until his death. We lence Project. Although both of us facing challenges and overcoming them met Michael White and David Epston in were flying by the seat of our pants, together.” the late 1980s and formed a study his enthusiasm and thoughtful ap- “During the following two decades, our group together with Berkeley col- proach to psychotherapy helped us to interests diverged; his to leagues to study their ideas and began a develop a treatment protocol that is and mine to attachment theory. However, friendship with these founders of Narra- still utilized around the world. Even- during a recent lunch, we realized that our tive Therapy. Along with Ron Levin- tually we left the non-profit world and work had indeed come full circle. We had son, we arranged for Michael, David ventured out into private practice after both come to believe that helping people and other Narrative therapy innovators becoming licensed in 1981. Every understand the narrative of their life was a such as the Family Centre of Lower Thursday for five years, we would crucial element to personal transformation Hutt New Zealand to teach in the Bay either meet at Victor’s Pizza on Polk and connection.” Area. We, and the other study group Street or Mario’s Café on Columbus members, presented our ideas together for pre-group planning sessions. It During the late 1980s, Mike went on to at the International Narrative Therapy was evident to me that Mike really study Narrative Therapy and teach MFT Conference in Vancouver, Canada. cared about our clients and had in- students at John F. Kennedy University in Mike led the way in introducing innova- credible compassion in spite of their Orinda. Over time, Mike became more tive family therapy ideas and techniques obviously destructive behaviors. But and more immersed in Narrative Therapy at the JFKU Counseling Center where at the same time he believed in their and his work made JFK a center for this he developed an Advanced Family need to take responsibility for their approach. During the next decade, Mike Therapy Program. We checked in with actions and become committed to continued to teach, supervise interns, and each other regularly at our Berkeley change. Both this sensitivity to others practice in both San Francisco and Berke- office for 23 years, sharing our roots in and his thoughtful and creative inter- ley. Dean met Mike in 1983 as a student in humanistic, transpersonal, and family ventions definitely contributed to the the Counseling Center at John F. Kennedy therapy and our excitement about the success of our treatment program. University where they were introduced by (Continued on page 13) And yet, my favorite time of the night Gary Stolzoff.

ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA JULY 2008 PAGE 13

(Remembering Michael White continued from page 9) ing ideas, and to grow our thinking. These connections are invaluable. We are a community of concern and support; we are members of a narrative community, sharing ideas that we embrace, telling stories not only about an exceptional person who we were privileged to know but also about our own work and how we pass along these ideas to colleagues, students, and clients.

The web is really quite large. There have been numerous memorials for Michael, many scheduled to be in synchronicity with the funeral held in Adelaide at sunset on Wednesday, April 16th. These have all been another coming together and sharing of memories, continuing the tradi- tion of telling and retelling, of making and keeping connections.

I firmly believe that Michael's spirit will live for many, many years to come. His ideas were revolutionary, teaching us that people were more than their problems, that we are all influenced by larger cultural narratives, which can tend to marginalize those who do not fit within the dominant narrative. Michael's ideas were intensely political and also constantly questioning what we take for granted, the "settled certainties" of our everyday lives. May we continue to question.

(Michael Searle Memorial continued from page 11) latest innovations in theory and practice.” “One of my favorite memories of Mike occurred during an impasse in the group process of the Berkeley Family Therapy Study Group. As the group moved through its struggle with the impasse, Mike noticed that the “tenor” of the group had changed for the better. He said: “I feel like we’re getting through this because I’m having ideas again.” Mike’s enthusiasm, hopefulness, and creativity were always his guide. He was the quintessential collaborator and defined unconditional positive regard in his very being. In the 25 years I knew him, I don’t remember a cross word from him nor do I ever remember him coming to work on a single day without enthusiasm and joy for his calling. He will be deeply missed and was universally appreciated by his Bay Area colleagues.” Until the last, Mike loved working with his clients, and his clients felt this love. But his greatest love in life was his wife, Julie, and their three incredible daughters: Kyle, Nora, and Gemma. Whenever he got together with a close colleague, the conversation would always start and end the same way- talking about the joys of marriage and parenthood and our dreams and aspirations for our children, sandwiched around talk about our work. We will both miss Mike deeply, as we are sure countless others will too. This article appeared in the May/June 2008 issue of The Therapist, the publication of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), headquartered in San Diego, California. For more information regarding CAMFT, please log on to www.camft.org. The following is an excerpt of some of Michael Searle’s ideas about his work (1993) Gregory Bateson believed that it made a difference who brought forth ideas. I wonder sometimes where he would be without David Epson, Michael White and others who are creating this narrative discussion about therapy. Had it not been for them, we would have had to develop it for ourselves and it would have taken a different shape. I personally feel very grateful to Michael and David for their ideas and effort. It’s not just their ideas, what they have selected out, and how they have put ideas together, but also how they conduct themselves. Neither is inter- ested in creating a following; in fact, they make it more difficult by refusing to be defined in their work. David seldom offers a title to what he does, and Michael consistently comes up with new labels for his work. I have heard him refer to it as Narrative, Constructivist, Deconstruc- tionist, and Feminist Narrative. It is this attitude that I find so appealing, and openness to whatever’s round the bend and an understanding that if you value your life, you won’t allow yourself to be trapped by your own ideas. Conduct is what people remember. Beyond clinical theory, beyond interventions, how one treats others creates the lasting impression. Con- duct, more than ideas has the bigger impact on outcome of therapy. Conduct is a reflection of personal values and skill in relating, what you do is most representative of what you believe and what you have chosen to practice. Relating, responsiveness is a skill that can be developed throughout practice. What this means is that for the therapist, some behaviors on the part of the client are easier to respond to than others. When the therapist can’t respond to something a client does or says, it risks that the client will feel isolated or confirmed in his or her belief of personal worthlessness. Love is the generative force for effective therapy. Some would say [that] love without understanding is impersonal and ineffective. But love must be the context for reason, not the other way around. Reason objectifies; it separates. Love orients us towards inclusion; it interests us in a moving, dynamic world. Belief gives a shape and direction to stories, allows a therapist to go looking for them… and to use them in therapy. Belief allows us to remember that love can be evoked even when it is not apparent. The therapist’s curiosity about clients’ gestures of love can lead to the discovery of unique outcomes within lives of isolation...

ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA JULY 2008 PAGE 14

Association of Family Therap ists of Northern California 45th Annual Conference

Saturday, November 1st & Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 * Note: On Saturday, the presenter will spend lunchtime with student participants. at Westerbeke Ranch Conference Center in Sonoma, CA Buffet Style Meals (Sat. Lunch, Dinner; Sun. Breakfast, Lunch are included in fees if you’re lodging at Westerbeke Ranch). Lunch is includedInterpersonal in your fees if you are NOT lodging at Westerbeke Problems, Ranch; Dinner and Breakfast are extra. Vegetarian and vegan items will be included in the meals. Interpersonal Solutions:

Understanding and Treating Women’s Depression with

Valerie Whiffen, Ph.D.

A woman’s depression is linked to the quality of her close relationships with her family of origin, her ro- mantic partner and her children. Problems in these interpersonal domains both contribute to the experi- ence of depression and are affected by a woman’s emotional distress, thus creating a negative feedback loop that can be extremely difficult for therapists to change. This workshop will begin with a description of what current empirical research shows us regarding the interpersonal world of depressed women. Based on this understanding, the treatment of depressed women will then be discussed using two empiri- cally validated treatments: Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for individual women and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for depressed women and their romantic partners. Throughout the workshop, client ex- periences will be used to illustrate the material and to show how change occurs.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Valerie E. Whiffen, Ph.D., has been a researcher, professor and clinical psychologist in private practice since 1986. For twenty years, she was a professor of psychology at the University of Ottawa, where she taught students to do Interpersonal Therapy with de- pressed women and Emotion-Focused Therapy with couples who are struggling with a partner's depression. She now lives near Vancouver, BC, where she is in private practice and a member of the Board of Directors for the College of Psychologists. Her primary research and clinical interests are gender and depression. She serves as a peer reviewer for several professional psychology journals, and holds a research grant looking at the impact of breast cancer on marital relations. She has authored numerous chapters in professional books and more than forty research articles. She is the author of A Secret Sadness: The hid- den relationship patterns that make women depressed and co-author of Attachment Processes in Couple and Family Therapy with Susan Johnson. ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Association of Family Therapists of Northern California 45th Annual Conference Registration Form

Program: Saturday & Sunday, November 1st and 2nd

Workshop Location: Westerbeke Ranch Conference Center 2300 Grove St. Sonoma, CA 95476 Ph. (707) 996-7546 Fax (707) 996-7081 www.westranch.com (approx. Travel Time from Bay Area—1 hour drive)

Saturday, November 1st, 2008 Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 8:30 am - 9:00 am Registration 9:00 AM - 12:00 pm Session C 9:00 AM - 12:00 pm Session A 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch* 12:30 PM - 2:30 pm Lunch* 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Session D 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Session B 6:00 pm Dinner* 3:30 pm Adjourn Note: On Saturday, the presenter will spend lunchtime with student participants. Buffet Style Meals (Sat. Lunch, Dinner; Sun. Breakfast, Lunch are included in fees if you’re lodging at Westerbeke Ranch). Lunch is included in your fees if you are NOT lodging at Westerbeke Ranch; Dinner and Breakfast are extra. Vegetarian and vegan items will be included in the meals.

Sign me up for Conference & Lodging @ Westerbeke Ranch! Sign me up for Conference ONLY! I’ll find my own lodging

Received by 10/15/08 Received by 10/15/08 AFTNC Members: $360 ______AFTNC Members: $280 ______Student Members and Recent Graduates (Class of Student Members and Recent Graduates (Class of 2007 and 2008): $300 ______2007 and 2008): $210 ______Non-Members: $460 ______Non-Members: $360 ______*CEU’s: $ 10 ______*CEU’s: $ 10 ______***Ram Gokul ***Ram Gokul Scholarship Fund $ ______Scholarship Fund $ ______Received after 10/15/08 Add $35 ______Meals: Sat. & Sun. Lunch is included in above costs. If you’d like to join us for Sat. Dinner and Sun. Breakfast, TOTAL: $ ______Add $40 ______Received after 10/15/08 Add $35 ______**Above costs include: Shared Cabins with Baths (some shared cabins can include up to On-site Registration Add $50 ______5 people); Pool & Hot Tub Use; Sat. Lunch & Dinner and Sun, Breakfast & Lunch TOTAL: $ ______

***Ram Gokul Scholarship Fund ~ AFTNC has created a scholarship fund in honor of the late Ram Gokul to help support members committed to family therapy who otherwise would not be able to afford to attend the conference. If you are interested in applying for the scholarship fund, please contact Sara Mizban at (510) 428-1913 or [email protected] for more information JULY 2008 PAGE 16

Association of Family Therapists of Northern California 45th Annual Conference

REGISTRATION

To avoid a late charge, registration is due by 9/15/08. Fill out and mail this form with your check made payable to AFTNC: Mail to: Sara Mizban Questions??? Call Sara (510) 428-1913 309 63rd Street Apt. C or Oakland, CA 94618 email: [email protected]

Name:______License#/Type ______Email:______Adress:______AFTNC Member? Yes__No______Telephone: Home______Work ______Roommate preference: ______Meal Choice (circle one): Vegan/Vegetarian/Regular

*AFTNC is an approved MCEP provider, #ASN004. We are currently awaiting course approval to offer 10 CEU’s to Ph.D.’s and Psy.D.’s. This course meets the qualifications for 10 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. **If you would like to become a member of AFTNC go the AFTNC website at www.aftnc.com/membership.htm

AUXILIARY REQUESTS

Please call Sara at (510) 428-1913 if you need auxiliary aids or services to assist you during the conference. We will make every effort to accommodate your re- quests.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please contact Sara before September 15, 2008 to receive your refund less $35.00 admini- stration fee if you cannot attend the conference. Be advised that cancellation of your ac- commodations at Westerbeke Ranch after September 15, 2008 will result in a payment penalty of one night’s room rate.

ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

WHO WE ARE Founded in the early 1960's, AFTNC is the nation's oldest professional association devoted to promoting family ther- apy. Our goal is to advance the theory and practice of family therapy while fostering collegial relationships among family therapists. AFTNC is a group of experienced mental health ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY THERAPISTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA and social service professionals committed to providing quality servies to families, couples, and individuals in pri- 1721 Scott Street #C San Francisco, CA 94115 vate and public settings. Our multi-disciplinary, multi- cultural membership includes MFTs, PhDs, PsyDs, MDs, Phone: 415-567-9203 Email: [email protected] LCSWs and advanced graduate students.

W E’ RE ON THE WEB! WWW. AFTNC. COM

RAM GOKUL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AFTNC’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE The Ram Gokul me- issues at the top of when few men of vices by establishing morial scholarship our agenda, particu- color were entering a scholarship in his fund was established larly in choosing pre- our field. His life and name to support the by the AFTNC coun- senters for the Fall work embodied re- goal of broadening cil in 2006. For the Conference. Ram, spect for cultural di- participation in our past several years, the our friend and col- versity. When he Fall Conference, council has worked league, was an inspi- passed away last sum- thereby creating a to incorporate cul- ration to many of us mer, we were all more respectful tural perspectives in that regard. Hav- caught by surprise, community of un- into the training and ing come to the and sought to memo- derstanding and jus- practice of family United States from rialize his life and tice. therapy in our re- Guyana as a young promote our interest gion. We have at- man, he trained in in culturally sensitive tempted to put these the Bay Area at a time mental health ser-