A BAYOU VIEW

VOLUME 1 Number 2 - FALL 1996


Newsletter for the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at

Northeast Louisiana University

 

From The Director: Dr. Lamar Woodham

Well, here we are back with the second edition of Bayou View. What an accomplishment for the Marriage and Family Therapy program to have this instrument of communication about what is happening here at NLU. You will note that this issue features columns by Dean Rakes and Dean Ferguson, as well as two guest columns; one by the president of LAMFT, John Shallet, and the other by a practicing Marriage and Family Therapist, Dr. George Wolcott. This program is indeed fortunate to have such a diverse support network. Of course, as in every issue, you will hear from our Department Head, Dr. Howard Smith, and our esteemed MAFT faculty.
It was my privilege to join with Drs. Becvar and Ray in representing our program at the AAMFT Conference in Toronto. Three of our current students (Scott Fowler, Marty Litchfield, & Jason Platt) were also there to represent our student body. Also, Frances and I had the opportunity to visit with our Alumni (John Miller, Susan Cooley, & Alan Demmitt) as well as spending time with one of our doctoral candidates, Nicholas Triantaffilou who lives in Toronto.
Recently I have been reviewing Haley's new book on Learning & Teaching Therapy (Guilford Press, 1996) and have been reminded of one of the ideas raised by Murray Bowen of the need for training in both theory and technique if one is to be in a position to help individuals, families, couples to become unstuck. While these authors take rather different positions relative to these constructs, they do point out the dilemma often faced by training programs. It is my hope that in both our Master of Arts degree program and our Doctor of Philosophy program that we present a balanced approach. Theory should always inform technique, and technique should always be informed before being attempted with clients.
Work continues on the remodeling project at 3404 Bon Aire Drive. I have been informed that this project will be completed in about 8 weeks. Also, the faculty continues to work on our self-study for re-accreditation (COAMFTE). All of this as we prepare to interview candidates for our classes for Fall, 1997.
Please stay in touch. It is always nice to get information about what is happening in your lives/careers and I also value your input about our program. Have a wonderful Holiday Season!
Graduate programs in the area of Marriage and Family Therapy offer an important contribution in the overall quality and breadth of degree programs, not only in Educational Leadership and Counseling and the College of Education, but prominently across the university. The high caliber of faculty and candidates associated with MAFT are among the highest at Northeast Louisiana University. Hallmarks of the Marriage and Family Therapy program include a visible commitment to quality as evidenced by the continuing level of successful community services provided through the MAFT Clinic, extensive contributions to the professional knowledge base by an exceptional doctoral level faculty, and extensive use of quality controlled internships and practicum experiences for all MAFT candidates. The overall commitment to excellence is also evidenced by the organized and sustained number of candidate-based activities such as this newsletter, focus groups, mentored research projects, and graduate gatherings at the end of each semester.
Marriage and Family Therapy is an essential part of a growing number of school professional programs within the College of Education. We are proud of the leadership and program integrity reflected in MAFT. Along with other programs in counseling, psychology, and health and human performance, MAFT serves to enrich the career choices within our university as well as prepare therapists to assist others in coping in an increasingly demanding and stressful world.

Dr. Lamar Woodham
A Bayou View Fall 1996


ALUMNI NEWS

Working on or have your Doctorate???
In our next issue we would like to highlight those who have graduated from NLU's MFT program and gone on to get their Doctorate. If that is you, then please send us information about the who, what , where, how, and whys of your life after NLU. We want to include all of our alumni who have reached or are reaching for their Doctorate. But we must depend on you to send us the information. Please be as quick as possible. Be sure to give us some way of contacting you so that we can be sure to be accurate.

A Special "Thank You"

  • This year, Lambda Alpha is excited to announce its new goals for continued growth by extending invitations for membership throughout the academic and professional community of north Louisiana, as well as increasing our capacity to offer further assistance to our members and our community. We encourage any inquiries or suggestions which may be directed to our mailing address:
    NLU Box 5041
    Monroe, LA 71212 or by E-Mail:
    954beam@alpha.nlu.edu or by phone:
    Dr. Canfield - 318/342-1261


  • LAMFT Divisional President: John Shalett


    I am pleased to be able to share information regarding the Louisiana Association for Marriage and Family Therapy with all of you. While we have been dormant for a short period of time, the Board has been reformed and a very successful annual meeting was recently held in New Orleans. There was much excitement and camaraderie among those in attendance for the weekend.
    Our division is committed to the highest standards of practice of marital and family therapy and we believe our membership presents itself in an excellent manner to the public. We have vital and cutting edge training programs in New Orleans and Monroe and the students graduating have the finest training possible. As president of the division, I am pleased that NLU has inaugurated its doctoral program. This will continue to advance the profession of marriage and family therapy both in the state and across the country as graduates leave the program. After our recent conference in New Orleans, I know our members are rejuvenated and excited about the continuing professional development of our profession in the state. As a board of directors we will continue to advance the profession and advocate for continuing recognition of marriage and family therapy as a recognized and vital profession in the state.
    In the June, 1996 Family Therapy News, Michael Bowers, Executive Director of AAMFT, wrote "there is an uneasy tension in the field of marriage and family therapy today. On the one hand, we feel the pressures of a compressing marketplace and delivery system. Our incomes shrink and we have to work harder and still many times have less income than in the past . . . we face an uncertain future." Mr. Bowers also suggests that, "we must continue to fight to find our voice and empower our profession." For those students and alumni of the NLU program I feel there is great comfort in the fact that you have been well prepared for the rigors and realities of our profession. You faculty represents the "best of the best" and has or will provide you with both the theoretical and practical skills necessary to meet the challenges of our profession. With a strong central organization, AAMFT, and an ever-strengthening state chapter, please be assured that your interests will be represented at the highest level and with the most professional caliber possible.
    Our state chapter will be holding elections within the next few months and will once again have a full board of directors. We are in the early planning stages for our 1997 annual meeting and we certainly want to encourage students and professionals alike to be a vital part of our meeting. We will continue to strengthen our position within the state and continue to have a presence at the national level. I do represent the division at the AAMFT Council of Divisional Presidents and receive both up-to-date information and create many bonds of friendship with other divisional leaders. As our state chapter grows in numbers and we continue to strengthen our position our recognition and worth will increase in the state. Please be assured there is room for your voice to be heard and recognized within the Louisiana Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. I welcome your comments. LAMFT; 4408 Avron Blvd; Metarie, LA 70006.


    Tell Others About "http://www.nlu.edu"
    Dr. Harper Gaushell

    For those who are increasingly venturing out on the information highway, I would like to make you aware that we are continuing the development of the World Wide Website for the Educational Leadership & Counseling department. As part of that website I am expanding the information specifically related to the Marriage and Family Therapy Programs. We are now constructing individual web pages for every faculty member as well as all students. These pages will contain individual information such as vita and academic work. As the website grows also look for news related to alumni activity and continuing education information. We wish to request that students, both current and former, send e-mail of information that they would like posted on the website. That e-mail should be directed to: edgaushell@alpha.nlu.edu. Your suggestions for future website development are encouraged and appreciate your participation in this new service. To have colleagues view the website, tell them to go to:

    http://www.nlu.edu.
    select Academics
    select Education
    select Department of Educational Leadership & Counseling

    DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH
    Dr. Paul Ferguson

    I very much appreciate the opportunity to provide some thoughts on the role and anticipated impact of the graduate programs in Marriage and Family Therapy to Northeast Louisiana University.
    We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of the MAFT Program. The uniqueness and educational quality of NLU is further enhanced by the program. Whether referring to the national, dual accreditation of the M.A. program, the Spyker Endowed Chair, the LEQSF Graduate Fellow Awards (the only ones received on the NLU campus from the Board of Regents to date), the Clinic facilities or the doctoral program, each one reflects the innovative approaches our faculty and students are pursuing.
    As Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, it has been my privilege to work with the faculty and students in developing and implementing the Ph.D. program. In addition to providing needed educational opportunities for doctoral students, this program comes at a critical time in the growth of our graduate programs at NLU. As part of our university strategic plan, NLU is moving towards the Carnegie Category of Doctoral II. This move can promote our ability to obtain additional state funds and attract additional scholars of significant reputation to our faculty and student body.
    I believe that the character and potential of the Marriage and Family Therapy faculty and students were captured during the site visit of the Regentsí Doctoral Review Team. In their final report, the consultants often referred to the enthusiasm and support of the students and their confidence that the education received at NLU will prepare them well for future careers. From my personal experience, I agree with this perspective and look forward to the continuing contribution of this program to the maturity and excellence of the Graduate School.

    Professor and Department Head

    Howard B. Smith, Ed.D.



    During my first year as an undergraduate, I majored in mathematics. I had dreams of becoming either the world's greatest math teacher or a renowned engineer. Iím not certain when those dreams evaporated, dissipated, or otherwise disappeared, but they are gone forever. I was 18 years of age and in desperate need to find myself. Now, many years later, I am not sure that I ever did find myself and the search continues. I do know that I never did become a math teacher or an engineer, and yet there were some things that I learned then that are still very applicable. Not the least of these is the concept of the whole being more than the sum of the parts. This may have been what destroyed my dreams of becoming a mathematician. How can this occur, mathematically speaking?
    That concept has a much different meaning for me now, after several years of being involved with higher education and being a mental health care provider. I apply it more globally to human nature, program improvement and societal change. There seems to be a systemic influence here that is initiated within individuals and has manifestations in the results of their combined efforts.
    The point here is that a team effort, regardless of the endeavor, will have better results than a group of individuals working independently, no matter how talented they may be. It's as if there is a magical transformation that occurs somehow.
    The catalyst that transforms the individual efforts for the good of the cause into something that is more than simply the sum of effort, is the nature and quality of relationships that exist between the individuals. This is not rocket science. On the other hand, it is not a no brainer either. It boils down to having an appropriate balance between self-esteem and other-esteem. Other cultures, the Asian culture specifically, focus more on deference than independence. Maybe it is because of the population density. Regardless, it is something for us to consider.
    Think in extreme terms for a moment. The obvious extreme of self-esteem is an attitude of hooray for me...and the heck with you. Tom Harris (of Transactional Analysis fame) might call this an I'm Okay; You're Not Okay position. As an attitude, this can ruin just about any relationship.


    About Sources of the Random, Open-Forum Seminars
    Ray Becvar, Ph.D.

    Each Tuesday from 12:00 until 1:00, Ray Becvar hosts a Sources of the Random seminar. As the name implies the topics are many and varied and the people who attend are many and varied. Rather than formal presentations, the conversations evolve depending upon the interests of the people in attendance. What does not vary is the spirit underlying the seminars which is summarized below.
    Gregory Bateson wrote, Ross Ashby long ago pointed out that no system (neither computer nor organism) can produce anything new unless the system contains some source of the random. A corollary to this might be Bateson's difference that makes a difference. These statements say a great deal to us as we live our lives and do therapy. So, a fundamental purpose of Sources of the Random seminars is to provide a variety of stimuli which may constitute sources of the random for you in your lives and in your work as therapists, and through you in the lives of your clients.
    Perhaps what therapy and living are about is trying to find something new to solve problems. New from our perspective is anything that does not fit the logical framework which defines both problem and solution for us and our clients. When we find a new that solves a problem, we may find that it derives from a different frame of reference which makes no sense, or is illogical from the frame of reference or value system that defines a problem as problem and attempted solutions. While illogical is often referred to as paradoxical, to find a logic/sense in the illogical/nonsensical/paradoxical, one merely has to shift frames of reference.
    The philosophical biases of the Sources of the Random seminars are cybernetics, constructivism and social constructionism which offer a world view which suggests that the world in which we live is interconnected and the nature of the connections that exists is a world of our own construction. There is no out there. Thus, what is out there for us is relative to our beliefs about what is out there. We must include ourselves in the equation. We live our lives in the stories we create to describe what we believe to be out there and to be real.
    Perhaps the greatest source of the random is that which evolves through the dialogue of two or more people whose different conceptions of things may blend into a new and different way of understanding perhaps solving some problems, but inevitably creating different problems. This may be a good definition of therapy, of education, and of living. The seminars involve dialogue, which we hope will stimulate you to dialogue with a family member, friend, and/or colleague and thus evolve your own new.

    Northeast Lousiana UniversityInternational Family Studies Program
    Scotland/Uk
    Summer 1997
    Edinburgh (Moray House College)
    London (Kingís College)



    Earn up to 12 graduate credit hours in
    Counseling and Family Therapy
    Term I - June 16 to July 7
    Term II - July 7 to July 25
    For program and Registration Information, Contact:
    Dr. Brian S. Canfield
    Northeast Louisiana University
    NLU Box 5041
    Monroe, Louisiana 71212
    Telephone: 318/342-1261
    E-Mail: edcanfield@alpha.nlu.edu

     

    Portraits of Ph.D. Students

    Mark Finton is married to a kindergarten teacher, Stephanie, and is from Little Rock, Arkansas. He has his BS in Psychology from Freed-Hardeman University and his MS in Clinical Psychology from Abilene Christian University. About coming to NLU he says, I was looking for a program that had supportive faculty members who were well versed in systemic approaches to therapy...I found both here. His future goals include teaching part-time on the university level, practicing part-time, and to write from both a theoretical and pragmatic perspectives. Immediately completing this program, he and his wife plan to go on a long vacation.


    Erin Rockett is married to Ronnie Donn, who is a graduate student in English. She has her BA in Education from NLU and her MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from NLU. The faculty diversity and research interests attracted her to this Ph.D. program. Also, the opportunity to experience a rich array of MFT perspectives. She is a member of Chi Sigma Iota, Phi Kappa Phi, and student member of LCA and AAMFT. Her hobbies include choral singing and opera. Her long-term future goals include teaching and writing. Seeking an employment setting that will give me the flexibility to pursue my interests and allow me to continue to see clients are among her short-term goals.


    Galen Tanner and his wife Rajene, a Domestic Engineer, have three children; Bryson is five, Sarah is three, and Alyson is 18 months old. He has an Associates of Arts and Sciences in General Education from Ricks College, a BS in Family Studies from Weber State University, and a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from NLU. Aside from liking the idea of being a trailblazer in a new program he says, I was impressed with NLU's Master's program and knew that their Ph.D. would be on the cutting edge. Along with being a student member of LCA and AAMFT, he is member and Treasurer of Chi Sigma Iota. Future goals include a clinical practice and AAMFT supervisor status, as well as taking his family to Disney World.


    Dan Williams is married to Gina, who is on the Business faculty at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and a Certified Public Accountant in El Dorado. Both are proud parents of Daniel, fifteen, and Michael, thirteen. He has a BA in Bible/Communications from Freed-Hardeman University, a MA in Cross-Cultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from NLU (1991). About coming back to NLU he says, I felt that the program here is strongly, firmly grounded in systemic thinking and that it had prepared me well for the private practice I have conducted for the past six years. One major interest in concluding this program includes taking a long nap.

    MFT Licensure and Professional Identity
    Dr. Brian S. Canfield


    Recently, while attending the Arkansas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy annual State Conference, I had the opportunity to discuss MFT licensure issues with members of the ArAMFT executive board. In the very near future, Arkansas will join Texas, and 34 other states in establishing licensure and regulating the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy. The people of Arkansas should be congratulated on their impending MFT licensure which is the result of a focused effort on the part of MFT professionals, organization leaders, and legislative supporters.
    Unfortunately, any real effort for establishing licensure in Louisiana appears dismal. Most members of the Louisiana Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (LAMFT) and the Louisiana Association for Marriage and Family Counselors (LAMFC), the MFT interest group of the Louisiana Counseling Association, do not consider MFT licensure in Louisiana to be a high priority issue. Sure, most members would like to have MFT licensure, but most already hold licensure or state certification of some sort in Louisiana as LPC's, Social Workers, or Psychologists. Besides, licensure efforts are time consuming, laborious, frustrating, expensive, and invariably viewed contentiously by existent licensed groups. So why bother?
    Despite the apparent apathy, the need for licensure for Marriage and Family Therapy in Louisiana is evident. In the past decade over thirty states have initiated and established licensure for MFT. This trend is in direct response to a recognition of the importance of establishing minimum standards and regulating professional practice. While other professionals allow their members to legitimately engage in the provision of marital therapy and family therapy services (provided they possess the appropriate training) these professional groups do not represent persons educated and trained as Marriage and Family Therapists.
    The reality of the mental health field is that Marriage and Family Therapy is both a specialty area within existing professions (i.e. counseling or psychology) and a separate and distinct mental health profession in its own right. In Louisiana, the former is evident, the latter is not. Officially, in Louisiana, there are licensed counselors, psychologists, and board certified social workers, but there is no such thing as a Marriage and Family Therapist.
    As the only COAMFTE accredited program in Marriage and Family Therapy in Louisiana, and the only dually accredited CACREP/COAMFTE program in the world, NLU occupies a unique position in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. It is only logical that our friends, students, and graduates would take a keen interest on the issue of MFT licensure in Louisiana. Hopefully, together, we can further improve the quality of MFT services in Louisiana. We would like to hear from you. Please let us know your thoughts on this important issue.

    A Whole New World

    Class of 1998

    By Marty Carroll

    I don't think any of us will ever forget walking into Dr. Woodham's class for the first time this fall and being greeted by the sound of "A Whole New World" playing over and over and over again. To punctuate the address, we found the words of the beautiful song projected onto the board. We were beginning to wonder if we were in graduate school or the Magic Kingdom of Disney. Rest assured, it did not take long to realize that we were definitely in a "whole new world", but it was definitely not Disneyland.

    We are excited about this new world of Marriage and Family Therapy that we, the Class or 1998, are entering. We feel that our class has a unique identity which will provide new enthusiasm and new perspectives for the program. The class is truly excited about the new "stories" that are waiting to unfold as we experience the wonderful world of Marriage and Family Therapy. Let us now take the time to introduce ourselves and tell you a little bit about us.

    Marc Barney is 26 years old, married, and comes to us from Ogden, Utah. He did his undergraduate work in Family Studies at Weber State University. Over the years Marc has worked extensively with adolescents and childred in different homes and services. His future plans include gaining a Ph.D., private practice, consulting, and writing. Interests include working with infertile couples and families of troubled adolescents. He is also interested in being active in local government.

    Lori Berry Is 24 years old. She is married and lives in Minden, Louisiana. She attended LSU-Shreveport where she earned her B.S. in Psychology. She has had the opportunity to work with Child Care Services, Inc. and to serve as house manager/counselor at the McDade House in Shreveport, LA. Lori's interests include parent/child relations and she plans to pursue her Ph.D. eventually.

    Marty Carroll is 28 years old and was born and reared in the Monroe area. He attended MidAmerica Bible College in Oklahoma City where he earned a B.S. in Family Life with a minor in Psychology. He worked as a dorm counselor working with both couples and individuals. His interests lie in working with young couples and in sex therapy. Marty's future plans include private practice and work with churches.

    Stacie Crouch is 26 years old and comes from Shreveport, LA. Her experience includes working at an occupational health clinic. She is interested in family of origin work, sex therapy, and divorce.

    David Govener is from Niack, New York, and has a M.A. in Divinity which he earned at Alliance Seminary.

    Adi Granit is married and brings an international flavor to our class. She is from Karmey-Yosef, Isreal. She is 26 and earned her undergraduate degree in Social Work from Bar-Ilan University in Ramat-Gar, Isreal. She has served in the Israeli Defense Force and worked with widows and orphans organizations. She would like to work with children, extended famlies, and multicultural issues.

    Scott Harper is 25 years old and comes from Little Rock, Arkansas. He earned his undergraduate degree in Bible/Minestry from Freed-Hardeman University. Scott is interested in working with teenagers and family life in the church.

    Janice Horton is 22 years old and is from Shreveport, LA. She graduated from NLU's Psychology program. While in school, Janice has worked for both NLU and as a support staff member for PT's/OT's. Her interests include many facets of family therapy.

    Kristen Lee is 23 and originally from Virginia Beach, VA. She attended LSU-Shreveport and earned her degree in Psychology. She is married and lives in Minden, LA. As an aerobics instructor she has an appreciation for maintaining both physical and mental health. She enjoys studying parent/shild relations and the environmental influences that affect children. Kristen intends to pursue a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy.

    Julie Mertens is from Alexandria, LA. and attended Louisiana College for her undergraduate work. She enjoys singning as a member of the NLU choir.

    Craig Moorman is 36 years old and earned his B.A. in Bible/Theology at Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota. He and his family now live in Alexandria, LA. He has served as both a pastor and a school teacher over the past years. Craig in interested in working in the areas of sexual addictions, family of origin, and family rituals. He intends to pursue a Ph.D.

    Carla Nobles is 24 years old and grew up in Lafayette, LA. She earned a B.A. in Sociology at Northwestern State University. She is interested in studying systems theory and hopes to work in a college counseling center and possibly teach in the undergraduate setting.

    Kelly Theonnes is 25 years old and is from Redmond, Washington. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Eastern Washington University. She has worked as a research assistant and a volunter at a youth treatment center. Kelly is interested in family or origin, multigenerational issues, and sex therapy. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. and hopes to teach in a college setting.

    Sean Wright is 24 years old and is married. He comes from Texas and earned his undergraduate degree in families Science at Brigham young University. He has served as a youth advocate for foster children and hopes to have a private practice.

     

    From The Editor
    Scott M. Fowler


    Do you know what it means to be a Marriage and Family Therapist? Can one tell what a therapist believes and how they practice based on their title? How much does the title in itself help the consumer or even the mental health professional in determining what services are provided? Some among us see our role as a specialty, others as encompassing any problem, and then others as covering a broad area but still limited in working with special areas. How does a Family Therapist differ from a Marriage and Family Therapist? Is it necessary or useful to make clarifications in using titles or is broader the better? Who's distinctions would we use? Are these even significant questions?
    Their are first-order and second-order cyberneticians, systemic and linear frameworks, traditional psychology/modern and postmodern therapies, deficit and non-deficit models, pathology and non-pathology models, systems within the individual and social constructivists, insight and problem-solving, and so on... There is no consensus in the meaning of Marriage and Family Therapist. It covers a multitude of ways of treating problems and also at looking at their service. If the professional has difficulty deciphering what a MFT is, means, and stands for, what position is the consumer in? From a broader perspective, how does the consumer distinguish between whose services, in the mental health profession, they will choose? Given the context of the evolution of the mental health field, as a profession, it seems to me that these questions bear great significance and the answers will help shape the future to come. Ultimately, as is a profession, our service is to meet the needs of society and those within. How can ambiguity and our great tradition of diversity (within the MFT field) coincide? As is the state of health care, we must keep in mind that the goal is problem resolution for those who come to us.

    Change in Scenery, Change in Perspective
    Rebecca J. Whitt

    Culture is an experience of living. What more wonderful way can one learn about cross-cultural issues than to be immersed in the context of a different culture? The Scotland/UK trip afforded me the opportunity to participate in the experience of a lifetime. Encountering real cultural differences and variations in the way people live was an enlightening adventure. The trip also provided a chance to work and play with fellow travelers who were just as enthusiastic as I was about our cross-cultural journey. The delightful memories that I have will remain with me always. Anyone who seeks a rich life experience has my encouragement to take advantage of this educational opportunity. I do feel obligated to provide a fair warning however, that once you have experienced the wonder of Scotland, she becomes an enduring part of you that will leave you changed. You will be left feeling kindred to the spirit of her people and find that she may softly whisper for your return.

    Friends of the Family
    Marty Carroll


    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 six 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.
    Class of 1998

    A View From the Private Side
    Dr. George Wolcott


    My Marriage and Family training has made all the difference. With this training I have been able to have a successful private practice, be hired as a consultant, and asked to supervise other therapists who wish to learn the magical and mystical ways of MFT. The untrained see that this method actually works to brings about change. They want to learn what MFT's already know.
    I found very quickly that in this vast sea of the private practitioners world, one has to find some way to be set apart, more easily recognized, even sought after. I tried all of those great marketing ploys that are touted by the well-to-do and "extremely successful" business guru de jour. What I finally realized is that the MFT concept is what works. I just had to be willing to deliver those concepts in such a way that they could work. The customer (client, patient, etc.) just wanted me to do what I said I can do and that is to help them make changes.
    Be careful about losing sight of just how effective your MFT training and knowledge really is. If you are a student, I encourage you to discover as much as you can about these MFT concepts. If you have graduated, I encourage you to continue to educate yourself by attending conferences and attending local MFT organizations where you can consult and expand ideas with colleagues. To survive in the arena of private practice, you must not only be an excellent therapist, but you also must be able to set yourself apart from all of the other therapists. The MFT concept can help you do that

    HELP NEEDED FROM ALUMNI


    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
    or 318/342-1246
    or
    edwoodham@alpha.nlu.edu

    *It is important for us to have a contact person in case your current information changes. Also, if you know of any other alumni's information it would be appreciated.

    We need:
    Name: Address:
    E-Mail: Present Position:
    Telephone (Business/Home):
    Contact person and their phone/address:

     

     

    Get A Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at

    Northeast Louisiana University

    Now Accepting Applications for Fall 1997

    "A Systemic Experience"


    Return to EL&C page

      your current information changes. Also, if you know of any other alumni's information it would be appreciated.

    We need:
    Name: Address:
    E-Mail: Present Position:
    Telephone (Business/Home):
    Contact person and their phone/address:

     

     

    Get A Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at

    Northeast Louisiana University

    Now Accepting Applications for Fall 1997

    "A Systemic Experience"


    Return to EL&C page