Jennifer Benjamin

The Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center is thrilled to celebrate Kathy Gasparetti’s nomination for the 2025 Marion Lindblad-Goldberg (MLG) Award. This prestigious honor recognizes professionals who embody the principles of Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy (ESFT) through their leadership, clinical expertise, and dedication to strengthening families.

A Leader Among Her Peers

Kathy Gasparetti is more than just a seasoned clinician—she is a pillar of leadership within PA Mentor. With over eight years of experience in Family-Based Services (FBS), she has earned the respect of her colleagues and serves as an anchor within her department. Her influence is undeniable; when leadership introduces a new policy or initiative, her team instinctively looks to Kathy, recognizing her as both a mentor and role model.

Her leadership has only grown in her new role as supervisor. Though still early in this phase of her career, Kathy has embraced the challenge with an astonishing ability to learn, adapt, and lead with confidence. She not only upholds the integrity of the ESFT model but actively shapes the culture of her department through her guidance, wisdom, and unwavering support of her team.

A Therapist Who Inspires

Beyond her leadership, Kathy is an exceptional clinician. Those who have had the opportunity to observe her work describe it as breathtaking—a seamless blend of compassion and firmness that creates transformative change in the families she serves. She embodies the essence of family therapy, demonstrating deep empathy while holding families accountable for growth and healing.

As a supervisor, Kathy continues to “do therapy” with her teams, modeling therapeutic techniques, providing thoughtful mentorship, and offering steadfast encouragement to newer clinicians. When a struggling therapist recently needed extra support, Kathy volunteered to mentor them, a gesture that left the individual feeling honored to receive one-on-one time with someone they deeply admired.

A Well-Deserved Nomination

Kathy Gasparetti exemplifies the best of family therapy. She is a leader, mentor, clinician, and role model whose impact extends beyond her caseload to shape the future of the profession. Her journey is just beginning, yet she has already demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to systemic work and the families she serves.

We are proud to celebrate Kathy’s nomination for the 2025 Marion Lindblad-Goldberg Award and extend our deepest gratitude for her dedication, passion, and leadership. PA Mentor is lucky to have her, and so is the field of family therapy.

Congratulations, Kathy! 🎉

We are proud to announce that Danitza Ortiz-Rivera has been nominated for the 2025 Marion Lindblad-Goldberg (MLG) Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the family-based mental health field and her deep commitment to the ESFT model.

With seven years of experience in family-based services, Danitza has proven to be an invaluable asset to her team, families, and community. She has played a key role in supporting her newest supervisor, assisting in the incorporation of the ESFT model into supervision practices. Her strong understanding of the isomorphic process has allowed her to integrate assessment tools, apply knowledge, and continually seek opportunities for professional growth.

Danitza’s impact extends beyond her immediate team—she actively collaborates with outside agencies to ensure families receive comprehensive, systemic support. She is especially skilled in maintaining healthy boundaries and guiding families through positive changes in their Negative Interactional Pattern (NIP). Her ability to engage in the social ecology of families, while also drawing from her own lived experiences, allows her to connect deeply and authentically with those she serves.

One of Danitza’s greatest strengths is her intentionality. She deliberately engages families in therapeutic work outside of crisis moments, encouraging meaningful exploration of their Positive Interactional Pattern (PIP). She utilizes assessments as a tool for transformation, ensuring that every step of the therapeutic process is rooted in the true essence of family-based services.

Danitza’s passion for learning is evident in the way she actively seeks growth through supervision, training, and peer collaboration. She is not only committed to her own professional development but also dedicated to enhancing the field of family-based mental health as a whole.

For her steadfast dedication, systemic insight, and unwavering commitment to the ESFT model, we proudly celebrate Danitza Ortiz-Rivera’s nomination for the 2025 MLG Award. Her work has left a lasting impact on families, colleagues, and the field, and we are honored to recognize her for this well-deserved distinction.

We are thrilled to announce that Beth Anne Keller has been nominated for the 2025 Marion Lindblad-Goldberg (MLG) Award, recognizing her outstanding dedication, leadership, and expertise in the Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy (ESFT) model.

With over 15 years of service, Beth Anne has been a cornerstone of the agency, beginning as a Mental Health Worker and rising to Program Coordinator. Throughout her tenure, she has played a pivotal role in training, supervision, and program development, demonstrating an exceptional ability to translate complex ESFT principles into practical, accessible learning experiences.

Beth Anne’s extensive knowledge of the ESFT model has made her an invaluable asset to both new and experienced staff. She works collaboratively with the Program Director, ensuring that the core values of systemic family therapy are upheld with integrity and fidelity. Whether in supervision, training sessions, or direct support to therapists, Beth Anne consistently provides clarity, structure, and a strengths-based perspective, fostering an environment of learning and growth.

One of Beth Anne’s greatest strengths is her ability to bridge complexity with simplicity—a skill that allows her to break down intricate ESFT concepts in a way that is both meaningful and applicable. She embraces the social ecology of families and teams, guiding staff in assessments, treatment planning, and collaborative interventions with intentionality and purpose. Her leadership ensures that the ESFT model is not only understood but effectively implemented in a way that transforms the lives of families.

Beyond her technical expertise, Beth Anne’s willingness to teach, mentor, and inspire has made her an essential force in the program’s continued success. She cultivates learning through curiosity and integrity, always encouraging therapists to explore, reflect, and refine their clinical practice.

For her unwavering commitment to systemic family therapy, dedication to staff development, and passion for advancing the ESFT model, we proudly celebrate Beth Anne Keller’s nomination for the 2025 MLG Award. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the agency and the families we serve, and we are honored to recognize her for this well-deserved achievement.