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A BAYOU VIEWVOLUME 1 - SUMMER 1996 |
We have just completed another successful year of training Marriage and Family Therapy students, and what a year it was!! Successes abound. The faculty has been kept busy with research, publishing, presenting, and of course, teaching. In addition, Dr. Smith has kept us busy with all the other essentials such as finalizing the Ph.D. program, completing the COAMFTE Annual Report, preparing for a CACREP visit, and the usual faculty meetings. We have also been kept busy in planning the remodeling of ìthe MFT house. So when I say we've had a successful but busy year, you can see that it has been busier than usual.
You will note that a common theme in this newsletter is the beginning of the Ph.D. program in MFT. It is our goal to make our doctoral studies a true baptism into systemic thinking. We believe that our graduates will be among the finest systems thinkers one can find anywhere. The faculty has dedicated themselves to producing graduates prepared for careers as scholars/teachers, researchers, supervisors, and senior clinicians.
None of our accomplishments would be possible without the total support we've received from the administration of NLU. Sincere thanks go to President Swearingen, Provost Zander, Dean Rakes, Dean Ferguson, and Department Head Howard Smith. It is a joy to be part of a team that is dedicated to a quality graduate education.
One further word of thanks is due to Dr. Don Locke and Dr. Bob Cage for the roles they played in the development of both our Master's and Doctoral programs. Their capable leadership made it possible for us to become what we are today. Dr. Ray Becvar tooled our proposal for a doctorate into a truly systemic document. Thanks, Ray.
Finally, this newsletter is the result of many hours of brainstorming with faculty and students. Scott Fowler, our student editor, has devoted his time as a G.A. this semester to this project. He has done a superb job. Thanks, Scott. My goal as Program Director is to keep you informed of program and faculty activities each fall and spring through this medium. If you have suggestions for what we should include, please feel free to contact me or Scott. I hope to see each of you at the AAMFT Conference in Toronto in October.
The Educational Leadership and Counseling Department has started two doctoral level degrees in the last two years. In the fall of 1995 we took in our first cadre of students for our Educational Leadership Ed.D. program. As many of you know this degree is offered through a consortium arrangement with Louisiana Tech and Grambling Universities.
The second doctoral degree program is the Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. The Louisiana Board of Regents gave Northeast Louisiana University permission to offer this program in July 1995 following the recommendation of a review team of Marriage and Family Therapy Educators from across the nation. That review team gave NLUís Master's level program a very strong endorsement and based their recommendation in large part on the strength of that program and the quality of the program faculty.
Since last summer, the MAFT faculty have been meeting weekly to develop policies and procedures for admission and retention requirements, and to design course syllabi for the new curriculum. The final step has been taken by getting these policies, procedures, and syllabi approved by the NLU Graduate Council.
An additional bit of excitement has centered around the hiring of a new faculty person to assist in teaching in the MAFT programs. A search committee has accepted and reviewed applicants and has made recommendations to the MAFT faculty, who have also reviewed and prioritized the candidates. Interviews are ongoing and hopefully we will be able to announce who the successful candidate is in the next newsletter. We have had many well qualified applicants for our Ph.D. program and will be making the selection in the next several weeks. It is encouraging to see so many bright Master's level practitioners interested in continuing their education at NLU.
Toilynn (Holloway) Carson, M.A., N.C.C., is a graduate of the Marriage and Family Therapy program. Upon graduating, she began her doctoral studies through the Department of Counseling and Guidance at East Texas State University. She recently received the Outstanding Doctoral Student 1995-1996" scholarship award from that department and The Truax Scholarship Foundation. During her tenure as a graduate and teaching assistant at ETSU, Toilynn has taught several undergraduate counseling courses and supervised thirty Master's practicum students. She has also served as President-Elect and is currently President of the Epsilon Tau Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota. Toilynn has had several opportunities to make presentations to various groups, including dorm students, middle school children, sororities, graduate classes, and fellow doctoral students. She is now a graduate assistant for the Counseling and Student Development Center, serving as both a Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapy Intern for students, faculty, and staff at the University. In the fall, she will also be serving as a Research Assistant on a project related to domestic violence. With the goal of graduating in May 1997, the coming year will be spent completing a dissertation focused on Abusive Couple Relationships and growing through professional development activities. She attributes much of her success now to the invaluable training and experiences she had as a student in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Northeast Louisiana University.
As our Marriage and Family Therapy program continues to develop I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the initial publication for our graduates, current and future, and all of those interested in the program. The news of the approval of the Ph.D. program and the development of the new curriculum should add a new dimension to the program as it moves to the front ranks of marriage and family training programs in the United States. The recognition by the Louisiana Board of Regents of the quality of the masters level program has also been evident as a result to the awarding of $60,000 for fellowships for 1996-1999. The competition from all university disciplines at all universities for these fellowships is intense and the award is further evidence of the perceived quality of Northeastís Marriage and Family masterís degree program by the Louisiana Board of Regents.
Personally, I am completing my second and final year as President of the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC) and am pleased to see the membership continuing to grow. IAMFC is currently the third largest division within the American Counseling Association (ACA) and may be the second by the time my term ends. IAMFC has supported the development of the National Academy for Certified Family Therapist (NACFT) and I would urge you to consider this national certification as a Certified Family Therapist (CFT). This is an inclusive, rather than exclusive, credential that should be attractive to graduates of Northeastís program. I serve on the Advisory Board and have the address and telephone number if you are interested.
Although my day to day involvement with the Marriage and Family program is not as great as in the past, my interest and support are as high as ever. I hope each of you will stay in contact with us and let us know what we can do to improve the program and in turn serve you in your activities.
I have recently completed several projects. The third edition of Family Therapy: A Systemic Integration and Instructor's Manual for Family Therapy: A Systemic Integration was published in the Fall of 1995 with Dr. Dorothy Becvar. An article, ìThe Client-Therapist Relationship: A Comparison of Second-Order Family Therapy and Rogerian Theory will be published in The Journal of Systemic Therapies with Dr. Dorothy Becvar. Also, an article, A Modest-Immodest Proposal: Reciprocal Foster Familiesî has been published for in Contemporary Family Therapy with Dr. Wendel Ray and Dr. Dorothy Becvar. The Building Family Life Resource Networks in Church Communities project was completed with Dr. Harper Gaushell and Dr. Wendel Ray in April. Dr. Harper Gaushell, Dr. Lamar Woodham, and I will implement a marriage and family therapy program for clergy in the Fall term 1996. Support for this project will be provided by a Louisiana foundation. A book entitled Pragmatics of Human Relationships will be published in 1996 by Geist and Russell.
Dr. Brian Canfield, Dr. Dorothy Becvar, and I have completed a book on Group Work: Cybernetic, Constructivist, and Social Constructionist Perspectives. The anticipated publication is Spring, 1996. I am also working with Dr. Lamar Woodham on an article entitled "The Political Context of Mental Health Practice". A book project, Family-School Relationships with Dr. Harper Gaushell and Dr. Dorothy Becvar is currently underway. The completion of the manuscript Crazymaking Culture Tales with Dr. Dorothy Becvar is anticipated in the Spring 1996. I am developing research protocols and seeking funding sources for preventing school dropouts with Dr. Bob Cage. A book with Dr. Dorothy Becvar, Aesthetics of Parenting, is in the beginning stages. I am working on an article, Counselor Education: Second-order cybernetics, constructivist, and social constructionist perspectivesî with Drs. Howard Smith, Dorothy Becvar, and Lamar Woodham. The 2nd edition of Systems Theory and Family Therapy: A Primer with Dr. Dorothy Becvar is being written. I continue to have involvement in the Youth Build project in Lake Providence. Finally, I am involved in a joint project with the Business School to develop a Family Business Institute.
This past January, I took a group of ten graduate students to the Yucatan region of Mexico for a two-week Cross-Cultural Issues in Counseling and Family Therapy graduate class. Additionally, I will be directing the NLU Scotland/ UK graduate studies program in Edinburgh, Scotland during June and July, 1996.
Dr. Raphael Becvar, Dr. Dorothy Becvar, and I recently co-authored a book entitled Group Work: Cybernetic, Constructivist, and Social Constructionist Perspectives. The group text will be published in late Spring, 1996 through Love Publishing of Denver, Colorado.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. . . Comps were upon us and our hearts were in our throats. As we rallied for the final surge of creativity, we afforded ourselves the luxury of one last, quick look behind us. . .
What we see when we look back at the past two years. . . laughter and learning, sweat and tears, new experiences and old ones seen in a different light, 12 newly adopted brothers and sisters each possessing a unique strength, a special talent. As we were tossed about on a sea of systems, we huddled together in our common struggle. The struggle to grow, to achieve, to survive! The world was changing around us or was it us that had changed? Our maps were being rewritten.
Tests, presentations, the struggle for the hours, reaction papers, and more reaction papers, and then there were the regular papers, the personal journeys, and the burning question in all our minds. . . "Can I count this as an hour?" We've learned so much. We create our worlds with wiser eyes. Eyes that see how much more there is to embrace. Resources revealed. Hours spent behind the mirror, studying the genius of the ones who went before us. Strategies devised, new techniques explored, confidence and experience growing. Thank God for the team!
Tuesday luncheons broadening our boxes. Dr. Becvar's stories rewriting the pages of our lives. Professors whose vision brought the light of understanding to our minds. Mentors, models, guides. Dr. Ray with his enthusiasm that brought a similar fire to many of our hearts. Sex and stages, a world of players, Dr. Woodham and his thought-provoking Shakespeare. Purple poodles and parent-child dilemmas, mapped out on a behavioral cycle. What's your sense of this, Dr. Gaushell? Dr. Thigpen. . . bright smile, and quick laugh, her gentle guidance bringing our group together. Iím sure there's a diagnosis for that behavior somewhere in the DSM! Quick, pass the Prozac! Exotic travels, Mexico, England, Scotland, what's under the kilt, Dr. Canfield? Or would it be unethical to reveal that information? The peaceful bayou, ducks in flight. Turtles on stumps under gentle blue skies. A constant contradiction to the hurried pace we've kept and sometimes lost. And now, as we come to the end of our journey, the question comes to mind, "What the **** was I thinking!" Or to reframe that, "Wow! I'm amazed that I'm doing as well as I am. I'm not crazy. I'm just in a crazy situation! My behavior is purposeful given the context. . ." We wish the faculty and graduating (hopefully!) Class of 1996 all the best. We will remember you.
During the past few years as we have been developing the 3404 Bon Aire property, we have from time to time found our program in need of $$$$. About five years ago, Dr. Locke established the Friends of the Family account through the NLU Foundation for the purpose of having an account to which alumni, and other interested parties, could make contributions. This account has been used to buy furnishings for the clinic, equipment, technological support, etc.
We now have 100+ graduates from our Master of Arts program. If each alumnus contributed to this account on an annual basis we could continue to "fill in the gap" left by the shortage of state dollars for our program and clinic. If you wish to contribute, please send your check to Friends of the Family Account, NLU Foundation, NLU, Monroe, LA 71209. Please note on your check that the account number is 9-92905.
Don Jackson and his co-investigators at the Mental Research Institute (which during the last 38 years have included such pioneers as Gregory Bateson, John Weakland, Paul Watzlawick, Richard Fisch, Jay Haley, Virginia Satir, Lynn Hoffman, Janet Beavin Bavelas among others) have been characterized by Mara Selvini Palazzoli, Murray Bowen, Carl Whitaker and others as having been one of the most influential forces ever in the field of family therapy and brief therapy. The M.R.I. team are best known for their leading part in the development of a language of relationship and change through the introduction of such concepts as family homeostasis, family rules, relational quid pro quo, as the principle founder of Conjoint Family Therapy, and the theory of the double bind. Among the first research groups to uncompromisingly maintain a cybernetics of cybernetics position in the practice of therapy, the essence of this non-pathology oriented model was to view the client as a "family-surrounded individual with real problems in the present day." Brief in orientation, the primary focus of his approach, the questions asked, assignments and tasks given, was always on the relationship between family members.
The Mental Research Institute in collaboration with the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Northeast Louisiana University has been developing an archive of all existing audio recordings, films, published papers and private papers of Don D. Jackson, John Weakland, Richard Fisch, Gregory Bateson, Jay Haley, and other M.R.I. researchers. Numerous recordings exist of Jackson conducting therapy with individuals, couples, and families. In addition, many recordings of lectures exist, along with several file cabinets of published papers, private papers, project files, correspondence, and other written documents. Audio recordings, films, and transcripts of team meetings from Bateson's 10-year long research project on paradoxes in the communication process, and other materials from the M.R.I. Brief Therapy project are also included in the archive.
All of these materials are in the process of being permanently archived on computer, using a multi-media integration of all film, audio recordings, written materials (both published and unpublished), and photographs from Jackson's professional career and personal life. Eventually the goal is to have the entire archive available to researchers, scholars, and practitioners on CD format. For information about the Jackson Archive Project contact Dr. Wendel Ray, Archive Director, at the NLU Marriage and Family Therapy Program.
Officers:
President- Ann B. James
President-Elect- Stacey L. Hurst
Secretary/Treasurer- Kara Zukowski
Faculty Advisor- Dr. Brian S. Canfield
MFT Inductees:
Karen M. Beam Brian G. Milliken
Charles J. Beck Jennifer Leigh Moses
James E. Brown Kelley R. Prewitt
Janet L. Chaney Erin E. Rockett
Christine M. Cox Stacey N. Siegendorf
Melanie Duncan Michael P. Stravato
Sarah B. Evans Galen Tanner
Scott M Fowler
The purpose of Chi Sigma Iota is to promote excellence in scholarship, research, and clinical practice, and to recognize exemplary attainment in the study and practice of counseling.
I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University. In my undergraduate experience, I became interested in pursuing a graduate degree in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. One of the components I looked for as I was considering different programs was that of diversity. Among the reasons that I selected NLU's program is that it offers exposure to a wide range of cultures, theories, and experiences. One example of this is a course offered in cross-cultural issues in counseling. This course is held in both Mexico and Scotland/England. I attended the class held in the Yucatan region of Mexico. During the class, I not only learned about another culture, but how my own culture shapes my experience. I believe this understanding of multi-cultural issues will be of great benefit to me in my future practice.
-Jason Platt
The NLU Mexico class in cross-cultural counseling was quite a fun and educational experience. What is learned in a classroom from textbooks, can in no way compare with being immersed in the actual culture. I am so appreciative that I was able to take advantage of such a great opportunity and would highly recommend it to anyone who was considering going.
-Kelley Prewitt
I had the opportunity to take a class entitled "Cross-Cultural Issues in Counseling and Family Therapy" in Mexico this winter break from NLU. Ten students from the MFT, Professional Counseling and Substance Abuse Counseling programs went on the trip, guided by two professors from NLU and the University of Yucatan. I wanted to learn more about the Mexican culture to better help my future cross-cultural cients. What I now realize is that it is impossible to learn about another culture in ten short days and that the intent of the class is to allow students to simply experience another culture in order to better understand our own culture and the values it embraces.
We flew from New Orleans to Cancun on the third of January, but did not spend much time there. It was straight to the bus station and a three-hour bus ride to Vallodolid, a small pueblo community that encompasses the oldest functioning convent in Mexico, an awe-inspiring sight. The city is quaint and full of history. Our hotel was beautiful and our first authentic Mexican meal was delicious. We tried sopa de lima, or lime soup, which is a chicken broth with tomato and lime and a traditional Mayan Indian dish of poc-chuc, a type of pork that we cut up and ate with corn tortillas. Not exactly Taco Bell, is it?! After two days, we boarded another bus and headed for Merida, but stopped halfway to see Chitchen-Itza, an ancient Mayan ruin that has been excavated by archeologists, including our very own professor! I have never seen anything like it in my life. It was amazing. We climbed to the top of the main pyramid which was so steep I could hold on to the steps above me as I went up! The trip was a wonderful experience and I hope to return again someday. I learned about myself and my culture and that it's also nice to come home. It sounds strange but I feel as if a piece of Mexico will forever live in my heart. Te deseo amor, dinero y salud y el tiempo para disfrutarlos. I wish you love, money, and health and the time to enjoy them. Adios!
Get a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Not only will you learn how to help others who are suffering from relationship problems, you will learn how to have the perfect family and all your personal problems will evaporate, like water exposed to the warmth of sunshine. . . Not!
How can therapists help others when they can't solve their own problems? Don't you need to get your own ducks in a row before you try to organize anyone else's ducks? These are questions that have bothered therapists for years. Unfortunately, the answers are not obvious. Some of us have chosen to find a solution by becoming so immersed in our work that we don't have time to think about our own family problems. After all, there's research to be done, there are books to be written, there are organizations that need leadership, and so, so many people who need our help. Finding the balance between time for your work, time for your family, time for your friends, and time for yourself is a never-ending and forever-changing process.
Others of us deal with the ancient directive, "Physician, heal thyself," by sweeping our own family problems under the rug. The marriage and family therapists who have exemplary families are as rare as are those with exemplary families in the general population. Yet we fear exposing our lack of perfection. My dream of the perfect marriage has dissolved into a couple of divorces. My fantasy of beautiful, popular, athletic, and brilliant children has dissolved in the face of rearing three kids, each with problems of their own. But to admit to my shortcomings is to fear that other professionals will think less of my therapy skills.
Are there any advantages to acknowledging your own family problems? How about the empathy that comes with acknowledging the pain of living. Depressed over the ending of an important relationship? I've been there. Frustrated because you try so hard to help your children succeed and they reject your help? I've been there. Angry because so many people demand your attention that you have no time for yourself? I've been there. I don't have all the answers--far from it. But I have felt the pain of struggling with family problems. And listening to others with empathetic understanding is a major part of therapy. I'm a slow learner. My clients may not be so slow. I can often learn from them. Hooray for the therapeutic alliance!
This training will not solve your problems. Real-life family problems must be solved in real-life context of parents who made plenty of mistakes rearing you, spouses who have their own ideas about acceptable marital relationships, children who don't always listen and who don't always appreciate your wisdom, and you, the imperfect person who just happens to make a living doing marriage and family therapy.
The 1995 recipient of the Research Award of the National Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors was given to Dr. Harper Gaushell. It was presented at the American Counselors Association conference in Denver, Colorado. The award was given for research on the " Perception of Counselor Behavior and Current Intergenerational Family Relationship." The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between counselor trainees' present intergenerational relationships with parents and specific counseling behaviors in the first practicum.
Dr. Gaushell is currently developing a world wide web page for the Educational and Leadership department for NLU. It will include information on all degree programs in the department and information of current vita of the faculty and research and publications. Also, it will offer information on projects and grants developed by the faculty as well as information of MFT center operations. More information about the web page can be located at-- http://www.nlu.edu.
Any suggestions or comments on how this newsletter can be of further help to you, please contact me at:
ATTN: Scott M. Fowler
Northeast Louisiana University
Department of ELC
Monroe, LA 71203
318/362-3005 or 3008
954fowler@alpha.nlu.edu
Your help is needed in order to keep our alumni data base updated. Please take a minute to complete the following information and send it to:
Sarai Rodgers:
Northeast Louisiana University
Marriage and Family Therapy Program
306 Strauss Hall
Monroe, LA 71209-0230
318/342-1246
Name:
Address:
Telephone (Business/Home) & E-mail:
Present Position of employment:
Contact person and their address:
*It is important for us to have a contact person in case your current information changes. Also, if you know of any other alumniís information it would be appreciated.
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