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 ability to join with families in an authentic and meaningful way. Her creativity and out-of-the-box thinking allow her to seamlessly integrate reframes, helping families shift their perspectives while maintaining integrity in the natural assessment process.
Kristen understands the isomorphic process, recognizing how her own growth as a clinician shapes the skills and techniques she brings into family work. She models the same healthy relational dynamics she seeks to foster within families, leading by example and instilling hope.
A Systemic Lens for Lasting Change
With a deep appreciation for social ecology and family systems, Kristen leverages assessments throughout therapy to highlight the interconnectedness of relationships and environments. She helps families identify and strengthen their natural interactional patterns (NIP) while guiding them toward the preferred interactional patterns (PIP) necessary for long-term change. Her strengths-based approach ensures that families feel empowered rather than judged, supported rather than overwhelmed.
Her ability to find clarity within crisis is another testament to her skill. When chaos arises, Kristen remains steady and insightful, helping families navigate challenges with resilience and purpose.
A Leader in Learning and Collaboration
Kristen’s impact extends beyond direct clinical work—she is also a dedicated learner, team member, and mentor. Her attentiveness and engagement during trainings and supervisions set a high standard for professional growth. She brings fresh, innovative perspectives to discussions, enriching the learning environment for her peers.
A Well-Deserved Nomination
Kristen Melendez embodies the heart of systemic family therapy. Through her unwavering commitment to families, her creative problem-solving, and her dedication to ongoing learning, she exemplifies the very best of the ESFT model.
We are incredibly proud to recognize Kristen as a 2025 MLG Award nominee and celebrate her passion, expertise, and impact on the families she serves.
Congratulations, Kristen! 🎉
Leave a Reply