Dr. Steve Simms spends time with Dr. Harry Aponte as he delves into the history of his innovative systemic work at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic. Through his contextual, community-focused approach, he emphasized the significance of culture and the concept of being “strength-based.” Growing up in a low-income family in Harlem and the South Bronx, Dr. Aponte and his colleagues recognized the importance of family therapy alongside community engagement to address societal challenges effectively. They highlighted the critical role of community context in their work. Collaborating with the local community in South Philadelphia, they established a school for children who were not attending traditional schools.
In July 1999, the Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center, Inc. was established as an offshoot of the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic’s training center. The training center was founded by Salvador Minuchin, M.D., in 1975.
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