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Engaging every member of a family in therapy is no small feat. In many sessions, one or two voices dominate while others fade into the background. Add in tight session times, and it’s tempting to focus on immediate issues rather than broad engagement. But presence matters more than perfection. The goal isn’t to fix every dynamic in one session—it’s to build small, intentional moments of connection across time. Each session is a stepping stone toward ...

At the Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center, we are honored to celebrate Kristen M. as a nominee for the 2025 Marion Lindblad-Goldberg (MLG) Award. This award recognizes professionals who embody the principles of Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy (ESFT), demonstrating exceptional clinical skills, commitment to systemic change, and a deep understanding of relational healing. A Master of Joining and Reframing One of Kristen’s greatest strengths as a family-based mental health worker (MHW) is her ...

We are delighted to announce that Christi Taylor has been nominated for the 2025 Marion Lindblad-Goldberg (MLG) Award in recognition of her exceptional understanding and application of Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy (ESFT). Christi’s ability to integrate systemic thinking, isomorphic process, and strengths-based approaches has made a profound impact on the families she serves and the colleagues she mentors. One of Christi’s greatest strengths is her deep comprehension of the ESFT model. She not only applies ...

Resistance from clients is one of the most common and frustrating challenges therapists face. Whether it’s missed appointments, shutdowns in session, or flat-out refusal to engage, resistance can feel like a personal failure or a sign that therapy isn’t working. But what if resistance is actually a form of communication? In systemic family therapy, we reframe resistance not as opposition, but as protection. Often, clients resist because they feel vulnerable, uncertain, or unheard. In fact, ...

We are thrilled to announce that Kristie Hartzel has been nominated for the 2025 Marion Lindblad-Goldberg (MLG) Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership, dedication to systemic family therapy, and commitment to professional development. Kristie brings a strong systemic perspective to her work, ensuring that every aspect of the program aligns with Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy (ESFT). She utilizes parallel process to help her employees not only understand systemic principles but also apply them effectively ...

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The Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center (PCFTTC) had an amazing time training and connecting at the GAMFT 2025 Spring Conference in Atlanta! From Dr. Steve Simms’ inspiring keynote on the power of clinical supervision, deliberate practice and systemic family therapy principles, not to mention the energy, passion, and dedication from everyone in attendance was truly unforgettable. 🌟 We’re leaving Atlanta feeling recharged, inspired, and even more committed to strengthening the systemic family therapy ...

When families are navigating behavioral challenges — whether it’s a child acting out, conflict between siblings, or ongoing tension between caregivers — the natural impulse is to turn to the therapist as the “expert” to fix the problem. In that moment, families often believe that they have little to offer, that the solution must come from outside of them, and that their relationships and history have little to do with the issue at hand. But ...

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Fast can be fragile. Adaptability without character can break when it matters most. Nearly a decade ago, Team of Teams changed how we think about building organizations. It showed us that in complex, high-velocity environments, speed and adaptability come not from control but from trust, shared consciousness, common purpose, and empowered execution. But, in a world of rapid technological change and moral booby traps around every corner, adaptability alone isn’t enough. Because what holds systems ...