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A BAYOU VIEWVolume 2 Number 1 Spring 1997 |
A View of the Bayou
Inside...
Department Head:
Dr. Howard Smith
Reflections from:
Dr. Ray Becvar
Feature:
A Bayou Tradition
Doctoral Alumni
LAMFT Conference
1997 Graduating Class
Doctoral Alumni:
Since graduating from NLU my wife, Tonya, and I have had many adventures. We moved to Blacksburg, Virginia where I entered the Ph.D. program in MFT. Blacksburg was beautiful and we enjoyed our time there. Before completing my Ph.D. I was offered a fellowship with the Houston Child Guidance Center in their MFT training program and we were off again this time to Texas. After a year as a Fellow I branched out on my own and started a private practice in The Woodlands, Texas. While starting this practice I was haunted by a little paper which was still in the works, my dissertation. While working on this Tonya had our first son, Davis, who was born on June 29, 1995. After Davis was born I started working with a large group practice in Houston which worked solely with managed care contracts in addition to my private practice. Then came our second son, Aaron, born August 23, 1996. Recently, I took a new position as the Director of Clinical Services at a new out-patient therapy center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The future is full of exciting plans. Along with a colleague I am putting together a daily live call-in radio show which will focus on mental health-MFT style. My co-host is an MFT person from Abilene's program. Tonya and I are also looking forward to my teaching this summer in the International Family Studies program in Scotland.
Peter Bradley, Ph.D.
1992
Vaughn is completing his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Texas Tech
University. He is in the process of deciding on a title for his dissertation.
He credits Dr. Wendel Ray as a major influence in pursuing a doctorate.
He is a clinical member of AAMFT and supervisor in training. He is currently
a licensed LPC and MFT in Texas. He and his wife, Katherine, have been married
for 8 years. Their children are Mary Katherine, 5, and Sam, 2. Vaughn is
a marriage and family therapist at Fort Polk Army Base, an adjunct professor
at Upper Iowa University-Fort Polk campus, and has a private practice. Ninety
percent of his time is dedicated to clinical work and ten percent to teaching.
His practice includes home-based therapy and he works primarily with couples
and families. His interests are in family financial development. He likes
to golf and travel. His advice is "in order to make a living in family
therapy you have to be creative in how you provide services with a diverse
employment scheme".
Vaughn Bryant
1992
Dena is currently completing her Ph.D. in Adult Education with a minor in
Counselor Ed. at the University of Wyoming. Her dissertation is titled,
"The Bottom Line: Why Did You Quit?" It addresses the question
of why there are so many ABD (All But Dissertation) doctoral students and
what can be done to circumvent this. She is busy collecting data for her
qualitative dissertation with ABDs throughout the western U.S. In addressing
the question of what factors or people influenced her to pursue a doctoral
degree she says, "Dr. Carolyn Minder at NLU was the first person to
believe in me, my ex-husband who said I would never be smart enough to do
it, Dr. Bob Cage who believed in me, and Lamar and Wendel who knew I could
do it". She was the first graduate assistant to ever be elected to
Omicron Delta Kappa fraternity at the University of Wyoming as a faculty
member. She is a member of AAMFT, National Education Association, and Kappa
Delta Pi. She is currently working on LPC in Colorado where she and her
husband will move to in the summer of 1997. She was married to D. Marshall
Burr on May 11, 1996. Their children include: Danielle Williamson, 21, Winnsboro,
LA; (Scarlett) Adrianne Wilson, 16, Laramie, WY; Dylan Burr, 14, Laramie,
WY; Jedediah Wilson, 13, Winnsboro, LA; David R. Burr, 11 (deceased 1996);
and John Zebulon Wilson, 11, Winnsboro, LA. They have a two year old granddaughter
named Victoria Willamson in Winnsboro, LA. Currently Dena supervises twenty-four
graduating seniors in the teacher education program at the University of
Wyoming. She says her hobbies included, "keeping warm in this God-forsaken
place!"
Dena Norris Burr
1991
In August 1994, Toilynn married James and began her doctoral studies at
Texas A&M University-Commerce. She has taught several counseling courses,
supervised master's students, and worked as a counselor intern for the university.
The department awarded her "Outstanding Doctoral Student, 1995-1996".
In addition, she has served as President-Elect and is the current president
of Chi Sigma Iota-Epsilon Tau. She has worked diligently to refurbish this
chapter. You might have seen Epsilon Tau included in the two latest, "Chapter
Happenings" of your CSI newsletter. For fun, she is a Mary Kay Consultant
which she finds to be simultaneously the most personally, professionally,
spiritually, and financially rewarding venture she has ever experienced!
Toilynn presented at the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality national
conference last Fall and at the 1997 Texas Association for Marriage and
Family Therapy. She hopes to become dually licensed and complete her doctorate
in May or August 1997. James and Toilynn will then move to the Houston area
to further their careers.
Toilynn Holloway Carson
1992
Ron is currently working on his Ph.D. in Family Life Education at Oxford
Graduate School and is expecting to graduate in 1998. He is a clinical member
of AAMFT and is expected to hold a license as a professional counselor in
May of 1997. He is employed at Samaritan Counseling Center in Shreveport,
Louisiana, as Clinical Coordinator doing marriage, family, and individual
therapy. Ron also does family group therapy at a shelter for homeless families
and teaches family & child studies at Louisiana Tech University.
Ron Cathey
1994
Susan received her doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy in May of 1996
from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg,
Virginia. Her dissertation is titled, "In Their Own Words: A Qualitative
Study of Father's Grief After the Death of a Child." This is a qualitative
study using a semistructured interview of fathers' experiences with grief
after the death of a biological child. She says she "had a blast doing
it, but if you think qualitative research is an easy methodology to use,
call me. It is far more difficult than any quantitative research I conducted".
Susan's decision to pursue a doctorate was influenced by finding out she
could get through the course work in eighteen months. She talked with a
NLU student one year ahead of her who was attending Virginia Tech and realized
that it did not have to take three years. Susan received a research award
from the Louisiana Association for Marriage and Family Therapy in 1991.
She is a clinical member and supervisor-in-training for AAMFT, professional
member of ACA with a specialization in IAMFC, a member of LCA, a certified
N.C.C., and HIV Serological Counseling and Partner Notification Counselor.
She is currently a board member for LAMFT and is past Assistant State Conference
Coordinator, 1993, Student-Associate Representative, 1992, and on the state
conference committee, 1992. Susan served as President-Elect in 1996 for
the Alpha Zeta Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota. She is currently the Family Therapy
Supervisor at McFarland Institute Pastoral Counseling Center located at
Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans. This involves coordinating clinical
activities for four post-master level interns, participating in our team
treatment program, teaching at a local university in their counseling program,
conducting didactic seminars on family therapy as part of the training program,
marketing an internship program and clinical services to community referral
sources, and working with private cases. She says she "would like to
continue my research using qualitative techniques. I have interests in clients
currently involved in creative endeavors such as music and the arts as well
as ongoing interests in cross-cultural issues, gender issues, and sexuality".
When she gets away from the therapy arena she goes out to venues that facilitate
listening to music and dancing. She enjoys the theater, both movie and stage
productions. Also, as she travels she would like to resume scuba diving.
"Currently living in one spot and being able to entertain my friends
in my beloved Victorian home brings great joy to me". Susan is not
married, but adds that "this does qualify as a family status"
and to 'watch those biases!' (a friendly jab from a fellow researcher)".
Susan Cooley, Ph.D.
1993
Alice is unique in that she came to NLU's Marriage and Family Therapy Master's
program already with a Ph.D. in Psychology. She received it from the University
of Alabama in 1980. Her dissertation was titled "Breadth of Attention
in Retarded Children: A Training Strategy". Its purpose was to develop
a training strategy to enhance the level of attention of mentally handicapped
youth to multi-dimensional stimuli. She says, "Norman Ellis, Ph.D.,
supervising psychologist, was impressed with my Master's thesis and encouraged
me to continue my training. My husband was supportive and encouraged me
to continue my education in any way I desired". Alice is among Who's
Who of American Women, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Phi Kappa Phi. She is affiliated
with the American Psychological Association, Louisiana Psychological Association,
Franklin Parish Mental Health Association, Northeast Louisiana Association
for Marriage and Family Therapy, American College of Forensic Examiners,
International Correctional Arts Network, and International Expressive Arts
Therapy Association. She holds a Louisiana license as a psychologist and
is a Board Certified Forensic Examiner. She and her husband, Kenneth, have
been married for thirty-nine years and have three children. Karen Lynette
Crawford-Lake is thirty-eight, Stephen Arlen is thirty-three, and Bryan
Scott is twenty-four. Alice is currently working at the Swanson Correctional
Center for Youth as a staff psychologist and is involved in the provision
of psychological evaluations, individual and group therapy for adjudicated
juvenile male offenders, and provides staff training as the Employee Assistance
Program Coordinator. She is presently working to complete a two-year training
program for certification in expressive arts therapy with the California
Institute of Integral Studies. Her hobbies include traveling, writing poetry,
gardening, and horseback riding.
Alice Crawford, Ph.D.
1991
Alan received his doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies with
a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy at Iowa State University
in 1994. His dissertation title is "A Family Based Description of Residential
Focused Groups for Parents with Children". It is a qualitative study
of the experience of parents having a child in residential treatment. The
primary reason for pursuing a doctoral degree was to be able to teach. Alan
is a clinical member of AAMFT and a member of ACA. He is a licensed Professional
Counselor. Darcy, his wife, and Alan have been married for fifteen years
and have two daughters, Brittany, 8, and Anna, 5. He is currently a Professor
of Counseling for graduate and postmasters students at the University of
Dayton. He is interested in the role of spirituality in the counseling process.
Alan likes to walk and play sports.
Alan Demmit, Ph.D.
1991
Sarah is currently going to Texas A&M-Commerce pursuing a Ed.D. in
Counseling with a minor in theatre and plans to graduate in 1999. She is
in the process of deciding on a title for her dissertation. She attributes
her talking with the NLU professors and previous graduates of Texas A&M-Commerce,
Dr. Brian Canfield and Dr. Lamar Woodham, as major influencing factors for
her pursuing a doctorate. Her teaching assistantship has allowed her to
further her education. She teaches two undergraduate classes, Marriage and
Family Development and Helping Relationship/Counseling Skills. Sarai is
a member of Chi Sigma Iota and an associate member of AAMFT. Her research
interests include studying the MRI brief therapy model. She says that when
she has more leisure time she would like to read more.
Sarah Evans
1996
Barbara received a doctoral degree in family studies from Texas Woman's
University in 1993. The title of her dissertation is "Self Perception
of Attainment of Adultness and Parenting Sense of Competence in Men".
Her dissertation looks at what age men develop a sense of attainment of
adultness with special emphasis on life markers and parenting sense of competence.
Influences that contributed to her pursuing a doctoral degree was the desire
to teach at the graduate level, Dr. David Lawson, and Dr. Harper Gaushell.
She is affiliated with AAMFT, TXAMFT, DAMFT, and NCFR. Barbara is a licensed
Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, and Certified Family
Life Educator. She currently has a private practice in Dallas, Texas involving
all areas of individual, marital, and family therapy. Her current interests
lie in spiritual values and wellness of the individual and his or her family.
She enjoys traveling, music, and needle tatting.
Barbara Kee, Ph.D.
1988
Rose is currently working toward a Ed.D. at Grambling State University in
Developmental Education and Student Development/Personnel Services. She
plans to graduate in fall of 1997 or spring of 1998. Her dissertation is
tentatively titled "Attitudes of Developmental Education Instructors"
which explores the attitudes of developmental education instructors toward
teaching developmental students and the impact on the students' academic
performance in such courses. The instructors in the MFT Master's program
and a personal desire to pursue a degree beyond a Masters led her to Grambling
State University. In 1993, the state recognized Rose as Coordinator of an
exemplary in-school program for at-risk youth. She is affiliated with the
American Federation of Teachers, Monroe City Schools Counselors Association,
and is a National Board Certified Counselor. She has a twenty-two year old
daughter, Ericka Janine Lee, and a nine month old grandson, Jaylen Ventrell
Brown. She is currently employed by the Monroe City schools at Jefferson
Jr. High School, providing individual and group counseling to junior high
students, and working with students and parents to improve students' academic
performance and school behavior. Her interests include working with at-risk
youth, especially in peer support groups and research on the nature and
needs of developmentally/academically disadvantaged students. She likes
reading and traveling.
Rose Y. Lee
1992
John received his Ph.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
in Marriage and Family Therapy in December of 1996. His dissertation was
titled "Walk-In Single Session Therapy: A Study of Client Satisfaction".
The dissertation was a satisfaction/outcome study at a walk-in family therapy
clinic in Calgary, Canada, where he completed his pre-doctoral internship
in MFT. He was a therapist and supervisor at the clinic serving Calgary
(a city of almost 1 million people). The study utilized both quantitative
(multiple regression, etc.) and qualitative (narrative) analysis of 417
client cases. Overall satisfaction with the walk-in service was high, with
83% of the participants rating their satisfaction with overall assistance
received as high. Satisfaction with the use of the therapy team approach
had the greatest influence on clients' overall ratings of assistance received
in therapy. Concerning influences, John says, "there is little doubt
that my experience at NLU had a great influence on both my desire and ability
to complete a Ph.D. in MFT. Although I considered pursuing terminal degrees
in other fields (clinical psychology, etc.), my indoctrination into systems/cybernetics
thinking at NLU instilled in me a desire to continue studies in these areas.
The current faculty and Dr. Martha Wilson (retired) had a great influence
on my development as a systems thinker. Dr. Wendel Ray hired me as a research
assistant early in my career at NLU, and his influence on my development
as a researcher and therapist endures to this day". John worked under
Howard Protinsky, Ph.D. at VPI as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in 1994-1995.
He was invited for a research and writing retreat with Dr. Kenneth Gergen
at Swarthmore College, PA. In 1996, he gained the Honors Research Project
Chair at Northwest Christian College directing the research activities of
the Honors Research Student in the graduate Marriage and Family Therapy
program on the topic of "Rethinking Supervision Assessment: The Development
of a New Scale for Supervisors' Assessment of Marriage and Family Therapy
Interns". John is a clinical member of AAMFT and approved supervisor-in-training,
clinical member of the Oregon Association for Marriage and Family Therapy,
1997 OAMFT conference committee member, nominated for Secretary of OAMFT
in the Fall of 1996, and was a 1993 conference committee member for the
Louisiana Association for Marriage and Family Therapy assisting in the organization
of the LAMFT conference in honor of John H. Weakland. He presented at the
1995 AAMFT annual conference in Baltimore, MD. He also has a private practice
in Eugene, Oregon. John is married to Stephanie. His hobbies include camping,
hiking, mountain biking, private pilot/aviation-experimental aviation, racquetball,
and SCUBA diving.
John Miller, Ph.D.
1993
Erin is among the first class of Marriage and Family Therapy doctoral students
at NLU. She is expecting to graduate in 1999 and is currently working toward
finalizing her dissertation title. She is considering utilizing archive
materials from MRI and is interested in Don Jackson's clinical style. Her
desire to further her knowledge of cybernetic and social constructionist
therapies and qualitative research led her to pursue a doctoral degree in
Marriage and Family Therapy. Erin has presented at the Arkansas Association
for Marriage and Family Therapy conference in 1995 and is an abstract reviewer
for the 1997 AAMFT conference. She has applied for associate membership
to AAMFT and is a member of Chi Sigma Iota. She currently holds a Louisiana
teacher certification. Erin works as a Research Assistant for Dr. Wendel
Ray and is currently working on a project transcribing Don Jackson archive
audio materials from the Mental Research Institute. Her interests include
the influence of social constructionism on family systems therapy and therapists
and clients perspectives on therapy. She and her husband, Ronnie Donn, have
been married for two years. In her leisure time she enjoys decorating wedding
cakes, ethnic cooking, and listening/participating in choral music and opera.
Erin Rockett
1996
Galen is a member of the first class of doctoral students at NLU with plans
to graduate in 1999. He is in the process of titling his dissertation. He
says that the "NLU Marriage and Family therapy faculty inspired me
to continue to learn and develop therapeutic skills and further my education".
Also, Randy Chatlain, Ph.D. introduced him to systemic thinking in his undergraduate
studies. Galen is a student member of LCA, treasurer of the Lambda Alpha
Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, and Associate member of AAMFT (pending). He and
his wife of seven years have three children. Bryson is the oldest at six.
Sarah came next at four. Last, but not least, is Alyson, 2. Currently, Galen
is working with Dr. Raphael Becvar as his graduate assistant. His interests
lie in family business counseling. In his leisure time he plays basketball
and racquetball, is involved with photography, and most importantly spends
time with his family.
Galen Tanner
1996
David received a doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from Texas
A&M University in 1996. His dissertation is entitled "The Relationship
Between Pornography Usage and Child Molesting". This research looked
at the relationship between pornography usage at different developmental
levels (and different types of materials) and men who commit sexual offenses
against children. He says, "the desire for further training to be better
equipped as a therapist and the encouragement of Dr. David Lawson and Dr.
Lamar Woodham was a major influence". David has been awarded Outstanding
Graduate Student of the NLU Marriage and Family Therapy program in 1986,
New Employee of the Year at the Methodist Children's Home in 1993, and Employee
of the Year at the Methodist Children's Home in 1996. He is a licensed Professional
Counselor and is currently seeking a Psychologist license. He has been married
to Christie for eight and one half years. They had Hannah Alysia four and
one half years ago. David is involved with family, individual, and group
therapy; psychological testing; and consultation with child care staff at
the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home in Ruston, Louisiana. His interests
are integrating Christian faith with emotional healing. David enjoys basketball,
singing, walking, and is involved with Promise Keepers.
David Wheeler, Ph.D.
1987
Dan is currently enrolled as a member of the first class for NLU's Marriage
and Family Therapy doctoral program. He is expecting to graduate in 1999
and is in the process of working on a title for his dissertation. He says,
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time here in the M.A. program. The faculty
are top notch and I received a good grounding in systems thinking. I have
been waiting for the doctoral program to begin since '91!" Dan is a
clinical member of AAMFT. He is a licensed Associate Counselor with a specialization
in Marriage and Family Therapy. He and his wife, Gina, have been married
for twenty years. They have two sons, Daniel (16), and Michael (14). For
the past twelve years he has been the Senior Minister of the College Avenue
Church of Christ in El Dorado, Arkansas. In addition, he has maintained
a private practice in marriage and family therapy for the last seven years.
Dan Williams
1991
Lamar received his doctorate from Texas A&M-Commerce in 1989. His
dissertation was entitled, "Maternal Perceptions of Behaviors of Children
from Families with Identified Physical Wife Abuse". What influenced
him to pursue a doctoral degree was the desire to teach in a MFT program
which is what he is currently doing. Lamar is an Associate Professor of
MFT, MFT Program Director, and Director of Clinical Services at Northeast
Louisiana University. He was awarded Outstanding Doctoral Student in 1987.
He is a member of AASECT, S.S.S.S, and The American Academy of Clinical
Sexologists. He is also a clinical member and approved supervisor for AAMFT
and a licensed Professional Counselor in Louisiana. His specialization lies
with research in human sexuality and sex therapy. Lamar has been married
to Frances for sixteen years and has five children: Rick, 36; Steve, 33;
Gail, 38; Larry, 37; and Cherie, 32. He enjoys camping, traveling, and reading.
Lamar Woodham, Ed.D.
1986
Amy received her doctoral degree from Iowa State University in Human
Development & Family with a specialty in Marriage and Family Therapy.
The title of her dissertation is "Foster Parenting Licensing: Personal
Characteristics, Parenting Attitudes, and Training Experiences". It
looks at foster parent licensing, people who received their license compared
with those who had not. The focus was to see if there were any differences
in their personal attributes, parenting attitudes, and perceptions of foster
parent training. Amy says that she was inspired by the faculty at NLU to
pursue a doctorate. Another factor was a desire to teach on the university
level. Wanting to gain further knowledge about the field of marriage and
family therapy was also a contributing factor. Amy has been awarded the
Demaris Pease Fellowship from Iowa State University, The Etha & Charles
Hutchcroft Scholarship, Iowa Home Economics Association Graduate Scholarship,
and the Pace Award. She is a member of AAMFT, LAMFT, and MFT in Iowa. She
is a NBCC and supervisor in training for AAMFT. She has been married to
Todd for six years. Amy is currently employed at The American University
of the Caribbean as Director of Note Services managing an information processing
center for the medical school. She also has a small private practice. Her
hobbies include motorcycle riding, traveling, bridge, and going to the beach.
She lives on a 36 square mile island with a concentration of Dutch and French
among other people. Just a note-she said she was looking out her window
and was watching sailboats go by. "Sounds wonderful, doesn't it"!
Amy Yates, Ph.D.
1993
Reflections:
Ray Becvar, Ph.D.
On or about May 15, I will be leaving my position as Professor and Endowed Chair in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northeast Louisiana University. It has been an honor and a privilege to have worked with administrators, colleagues, and students at NLU these past three years. I have been impressed by the dedication of all who contribute to the programs. I have been impressed by the quality of service provided through the NLU Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic to individuals, couples, and families in northeast Louisiana. In my view, a quality education and quality clinical service requires a collaborative effort between administrators, faculty, students, and clerical personnel. Also, it takes vision of what is possible, and visions of what is possible cannot be limited to products of our rational, logical minds. These key people self-consciously reflect on their own as well as their experiences with each other and make appropriate changes. The administrators and faculty at NLU are good people who are also dedicated professionals. This dedication shows in the attitudes, depth of knowledge, and skill of the Masterís degree students who, after two years of intensive, full-time study, will more than hold their own with graduates of any other program in the country. The new doctoral program shows promise of being equally strong. The facility for Marriage and Family Therapy students and faculty will be a beautiful place and should serve as a setting to increase collaborative conversations to improve the quality of the programs. The promise of new faculty to complement the talents of those who currently comprise the MFT faculty should add new dimensions to the already strong Master's degree program and help the doctoral program deliver on its promise.
As I wrote the above I experienced many emotions. I am happy to have been a part of the MFT programs at NLU. The awareness that this will be my last academic position brings feelings of sadness. I am also aware that the quality of experience in any position depends upon the quality of relationships. In leaving, I take a part of each person with whom I worked with me to continue to enrich my life. In work with my students, colleagues and clients, I have always experienced an aspect of the sacred. I have always been awed by the trust my students, colleagues, and clients place in me, and I am grateful to them for what I have learned in each meeting, session, and class.
I don't anticipate "retiring". I anticipate moving on to new adventures and continued growth in my continuing search for what I will do when I grow up. Feeling grown-up remains ever elusive to me. I expect to continue my journey and never to arrive at any destination. I just don't know what the future holds. I do know it will be an adventure. As Salvador Minuchin (1984, p. 45) wrote, "Each new scenario is an experiment in living. Thus, by definition, it will be carried out in an unstable field, full of visible and hidden traps. The only certainty is that there will be errors and because of them, conflict, solutions and growth". He also wrote, "You can mourn the structure that was lost, but it makes more sense to look at the possibilities of the new" (p. 71).
In taking leave from my position, I am aware that our paths may never cross again. Nonetheless, I am grateful for that which I take with me from each of you as I continue my journey in this life. Unfortunately, I am not sure just what it is I leave with you after our brief time together. I hope that you would remember the story of the Chinese farmer. You might remember Bateson's statement which complements the Chinese farmer story: "Oh the damage that's been done to psychiatric thinking by the clinical bias. The clinical bias being, that there are good things and there are bad things. The bad things necessarily have causes. This is not so true of good things" (Bateson in Brand, 1974, p. 25). The search for the causes of the good things in your lives will help you attain more of the sweet life than the search for causes of bad things.
I hope that I have left you with an awareness of the importance of having an epistemology that has a conscious awareness of itself. This would be the measure of your freedom, for I believe that we are only free to the extent to which we know how we are controlled. An epistemology that has a conscious awareness of itself, is the awareness that we live our lives in constructed realities. Paul Watzlawick (1984, p. 326-327) described the implications of such an epistemology:
In other words, what would the world of a person be like who managed to accept reality fully and totally as his or her own construction? First of all, ..., such a person would be tolerant. If we come to see the world as our own construction, we must apply this insight to the world of our fellow creatures as well... Secondly, such a person would feel responsible, in a very deep ethical sense. This total responsibility would mean total freedom. Whoever is conscious of being the architect of his or her own reality would be equally aware of the ever-present possibility of constructing it differently.
I also offer you and hope that you receive your Magic Gift. This gift entitles you to membership in a Society of Childlike Persons. As a member you are entitled to:
walk in the rain, jump in mud puddles, collect rainbows, smell flowers, blow bubbles, stop along the way, build sand castles, watch the moon and stars come out, say hello to everyone, go barefoot, go on adventures, sing in the shower, have a merry heart, read children's books and watch their movies and TV programs, act silly, take bubble baths, get new sneakers, hold hands and hug and kiss and dance, fly kites, laugh and cry for the health of it, wander around, feel scared, feel sad, feel mad, feel happy, give up worry and guilt and shame, stay innocent, say yes, say no, say the magic words, ask lots of questions, ride bicycles, draw and paint, see things differently, fall down and get up again, talk with animals, look at the sky, trust the universe, stay up late, climb trees, take naps, do nothing, daydream, play with toys, play under the covers, have pillow fights, learn new stuff, get excited about everything, be a clown, enjoy having a body, listen to music, find how things work, make up new rules, tell stories, save the world, make friends with other kids on the block, and do anything else that brings more happiness, celebration, relaxation, communication, health, love, joy, creativity, pleasure, abundance, grace, self-esteem, courage, balance, spontaneity, passion, beauty, peace, and life energy to the other humans and beings on this planet.
I would also like to leave you with the wish that you might, "Live
your life so that if you go crazy, people will not know the difference".
From The Director:
Lamar Woodham, Ed.D.
It is difficult to believe that one whole year has passed since our first edition of A Bayou View, yet here we are planning for graduation, interviewing candidates for the 1997-98 year, putting the final documents together for our COAMFTE accreditation visit in April, and finishing the remodeling of the Marriage and Family Therapy Center. I want to thank Scott Fowler, who has served as Student Editor for the past year, for the good job he has done in getting our news together each issue. Marty Carroll, a first year student, will be coming on board to serve in Scott's place. Welcome Marty!
I join with the faculty in congratulating our graduates for the excellent way you represent Northeast Louisiana University and our program in the world of work. As you will note, this edition features alumni who have earned their doctorate, or who are in the process of doing so. We are fortunate to have such a strong representation who have completed their Ed.D. or Ph.D. There are a few of the alumni that we were unable to locate, thus, information about what they are doing is missing. It is so important that we keep in touch with each other for a number of reasons, but one of the biggest of these is so that we pass on your good new to others. Current students want to know what our graduates do (and so do the accrediting bodies), and it is nice to keep up with each other. Future editions will feature graduates who have used their education in innovative and interesting ways, so if we do not have current information on you, please contact Sarai Rodgers, our program secretary, at 318/362-3005.
I am happy to inform you that our program continues to gain recognition for the quality of education provided to our students and for our leadership in the field. Your faculty are busy teaching, writing, and presenting at professional conferences. I have been invited to represent NLU and present at the "Prague Seminar on the Family: Cross Cultural Perspectives on Strengthening Families", September 4, 5, 6, in the capitol city of the Czech Republic, Prague. I will be joining nine colleagues from the USA, ten from England, and ten from the Czech Republic, in sharing professional papers and other thoughts about our own cultures and the issues facing families in our societies. Special emphasis will be placed on ideas strengthening families. I look forward to representing NLU and you at this international gathering.
As you may have noted in an earlier paragraph, we are just four short weeks away from the site visit by the COAMFTE accreditation team. Much hard work has gone into the preparation for this visit and we feel that we are as prepared as possible. Also, we continue the interview process for a new faculty member. I hope to have good news for you in the next edition about both the accreditation visit and the faculty search.
Last of all, it is time to say good-bye to Dr. Ray Becvar who has served
as our Endowed Chair for the past three years. I have mixed emotions as
we see Ray leaveóhappy for him that he has reached another of those
stages of development, and sad for our program. Surely, we experience a
great loss. Ray, we all wish you well in your continued pursuits. None of
us believe that you will ever retire from this profession, only change courses
and strategies along the way. I also hope to have good news concerning our
next Endowed Chair in the Fall edition. Until then, stay in touch, and whenever
you are in the area of NLU, please stop by and see our newly remodeled facilities.
Department Head
Educational Leadership and Counseling
Howard Smith, Ed.D.
One of the environmental influences facing all mental health care providers today is the presence of managed care. Its growth in the marketplace has been accelerated by efforts at cost containment to a point where its momentum has brushed aside nearly all resistance from the several mental health care professions. No one any longer has visions of heading it off, curtailing its growth, ignoring it, or acting as if it is not there. The familiar fee-for-service system that existed with little challenge from third-party payers (although, those entities have not always willingly paid all provider groups) is being replaced by a system in which costs are controlled by placing limits on the amount and type of services, by monitoring services closely, and by changing the nature of the services for which they are willing to pay.
The traditional pre-service training in the mental health professions has been driven by the needs of the client as assessed and evaluated by the professional. The new managed care philosophy adds a new dimension (someone from outside the therapeutic alliance makes the decisions) and changes this approach dramatically by focusing on ìminimum necessary treatmentî. It promulgates brief therapy or solution-focused approaches regardless of presenting issues/problems, and demands a "bottom line" orientation. Stated in a slightly less complimentary fashion, if it cannot be fixed in a pre-determined amount of time with a pre-determined approach, it cannot be helped. Or still another interpretation, this "vice tightening" approach forces the practitioner to redefine the therapeutic process.
Several factors have contributed to the problem. Insurance companies, until recently, have encouraged inpatient care rather than outpatient. The spiraling number of stressed and addicted employees has increased and businesses or industries who have Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) have found that rather than treating much of this population, referrals have been necessary and this has been accompanied by increased costs. The number of professional care providers has risen recently and the training they have received has not included a "cost-containment" orientation but rather has focused on client improvement alone. For-profit hospitals have increased their services to the psychiatric population as shorter stays for physical ailments (e.g., surgery) has become popular.
My concerns are that 1) we not lose the emphasis on the quality of care received by the clients of our graduates, 2) that we prepare our graduates to face the real world of practice; not the world of yesteryear where the therapeutic relationship has but two parties (client and professional), and 3) that we begin to implement changes in our pre-service training programs to insure that our graduates will both understand and be competitive in the marketplace.
What this means for our pre-service training programs is that we must change the way we prepare professionals. The old ways simply are not acceptable in a managed care environment unless you are willing to limit your practice to wealthy, self-pay clients. Clearly, the focus must shift to include solution-focused and brief therapy approaches. Along with that, we must direct this therapy to an outcome-related orientation that utilizes targeted interventions. We must include more training in case management and stress the value of multi-disciplinary practices that capitalize on the uniqueness of ourselves and those of our sister professions as well as areas of overlap. We must prepare our graduates for both retrospective and prospective peer review of treatment plans. We will have to be armed with efficacy studies that support a preventative approach with demonstrable effectiveness.
It is true that the costs of mental health care have escalated just as
certainly as other health care expenses. Much of the literature tells us
that mental health care costs are escalating faster than the costs of any
other medical benefit. The question that begs to be asked however, is "what
is the impact of managed mental health care on client care and how do we
prepare professionals to provide top quality care in that environment?"
1997 LAMFT Conference
May 30, 31
NLU campus
Conference Theme:
"Integrating Family Therapy and Spirituality"
Keynote speaker:
Dr. Dorothy Becvar
Check Us Out !!!
Find out about current students and faculty, historical information, accreditation status, and much, much more about our master and doctoral programs. Questions should be directed to: edgaushell@alpha.nlu.edu
We are On-line at:
http://www.nlu.edu
select: Academics
select: Education
select: Department of Educational Leadership & Counseling
It is important to the leadership here at NLU that its alumni are recognized.
There is an aura of pride in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at
the quality of education that is delivered and the preparation that its
students receive. Not only does NLU hold the only dually-accredited MFT
(COAMFTE & CACREP) program in the country, but its faculty are among
the leaders in the field. The masterís program is now to the point
in its development that we can reflect on some of its accomplishments. This
article presents one important accomplishment that this program achieves;
preparing its students for furthering their education. We sent out survey
questionnaires to those graduates of our Masters program that had achieved
or are currently working toward a doctoral degree. As they trickled back
to us we compiled the information and what follows are the results. We hope
justice was done to each of our alumni who participated. (Note: there were
some alumni that we either have no current information on, were not able
to reach, or were unaware of their current situation.) Those who we were
not able to reach but are included are Barbara Jean Griffin Crooks, 1984;
Mark Cogburn, 1985; William Spencer, 1986; Bob Johnson, 1987; Van Frusha,
1990; Beth Bienvenu, 1991; Chad Hamilton, 1991; Angela Ledbetter, 1991;
Roy Sheneman, 1993; and Paige Jackson, 1995.
Attention Alumni
Let us Know your...
...Who ...What ...Where ...When
...Why
____________ ____________
Name Year Graduated
________________
________________ ________________
Address Phone and email
________________ ________________
present position contact person
Please mail to:
Sarai Rodgers
Northeast Louisiana University
Marriage and Family Therapy Program
306 Strauss Hall
Monroe, LA 71209
318/362-3005 or edwoodham@alpha.nlu.edu
An Ecology of Experiences:
By Scott Fowler - Class of 1997
It is remarkable that through the rigors of a compact two-year Master's program that we would be able to come together as a group to establish so many close relationships. As the inevitable comes and we depart across the country there will be memories and relationships that last for a lifetime. We take with us the influences of our faculty, our administration, our influences from the other Master's programs, the Monroe community, our dedicated secretaries, our Dr. Becvar, but most of all, ourselves. This class as a system has learned about family therapy and theory and has been given the opportunity to demonstrate it these past two years. We have done that and in the process the comraderie has been outstanding. The learning has truly come more from the reciprocity with each other, sparked by our professors, than any other source. The following are some highlights of our experiences contributed by the graduating class of 1997:
Cheers! It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; we laughed, we cried; we said hellos and goodbyes; we lost and we gained; we hurried and we waited; we studied and we didn't; our ideas were challenged and others reinforced; we searched for answers and we found questions; we learned, we learn, and we will always be learning.
Perhaps the most surprising and frankly, alarming emotion I have regarding the looming graduation is one of sadness. Those who have provided shoulders to cry upon, and with whom I have argued; these pseudo-family members will no longer be right there, no longer five minutes away. Every person in this class has been special to me in so many different ways. Each person has assumed and been assigned a different role in my life. To each, I am forever grateful, for I have learned so much. I will miss these friends and my life with them.
Now, we are cooking with gas! I moved 2,500 miles to come to the best MFT program in the nation and have not been disappointed. I have received wonderful personal attention by the faculty and feel honored to be associated with faculty that are world renowned in the field. There have been numerous things that I have valued about my experience in this program, but the component that has benefitted me the most has been the conversations. I will miss the animated discussions in the breakroom, exchanging ideas with the professors, and the conversations with my clients.
"Group" was like a coffee house where there were no "Friends". As I prepare to graduate, I am eager to continue to grow and develop professionally with the foundation that the faculty and students have built together. I really appreciate how our faculty has consistently modeled for us how professionals who are diverse in background and beliefs can work together to train therapists and form an effective community of helping professionals.
This mid-term is given to you so that you have the opportunity to be succinct and brilliant. Thank you very much (with a Marty-Elvis flavor). I am ready to begin work to expand the experience I have gained from the incredible supervision and the clinical aspect of this program. I came to this program in search of a challenge, found a challenge, and have nearly completed the first part of that challenge. Root hog or die!
When I first began my internship at the MFT Clinic, I felt extremely unsure of myself and my clinical abilities. However, looking at things in retrospect, the process of being "thrown in" to the clinic (paired with an experienced therapist) was the quickest and most experiential way to begin my clinical education. Quick like a bunny! The fear that I once felt at facing the variable realm of issues which are presented in the clinic has now transformed into a confidence of experience. I feel confident that I am prepared for any clinical experience that I will face in the future. Ba-Bye.
My eternal thanks go to Jason for allowing me to experience my first
jalapeno enchilada pineapple "mexican" sucker. Human Sex class
was really revealing and eye-opening...not that I was looking. Vaya con
dios mis amigos. I look to the future with mixed emotions. To be in the
"real" working world, implementing what we have learned is quite
exciting and makes all of the hard work worthwhile. On the other hand, I
will miss the friendships with classmates and faculty that have grown over
the past two years. This experience has gone so quickly. Yesterday we started
the journey. Tommorrow we reach the end of our journey. Somewhere in between,
we have all changed. No more chit-chat. :-)
Scott M. Fowler
As If I Know
I had an unique experience to be exposed to marriage and family therapy
and systems thinking in my undergraduate college for two years prior to
coming to NLU. Paradoxically, I came here feeling as if I knew much and
now that I have learned much and am leaving, I feel that I know so little.
When I first noticed this I became panicky that just when I am expected
to know so much about how to handle problems that clients come in with,
the legalities and ethical realities of a mental health professional, about
each theoretical approach in family therapy, and be able to mold them to
include cultural identities, feminist concerns, and realities being constructed
that I am having more questions than ever. The irony of the current situation
is striking since it is now when I feel that I know so little that I am
interviewing for employment positions and filling out applications.
I suppose the cavalier in me kicked in and I began to wonder what position it is that put me in with clients and the difference between my position and any other mental health professional. In fact, I had had a similar debate in relation to the effectiveness differences of family therapists in ages on the Family Therapy Networker online mailing list. Hypothetically, is a twenty-four year-old who has been doing therapy for four years more effective than a forty-five year-old who has been doing therapy for two years? It hits to the heart of an issue I believe that sidetracks much of mental health services, which is the perceived effectiveness and who is more effective. I am not as much addressing a theoretical orientation, particular theory, or therapeutic technique as much as I am each individual mental health provider. One espouses and claims Bowenian, psychodynamic, or structural as "what they do" when it is only a version of Bowenian, psychodynamic, or structural filtered at the very least one time. Though for most of us who have not studied hand-in-hand with the "masters", it becomes a second, third, and fourth filter not including ourselves. John Holt writes We Learn by Doing, in Chicken Soup for the Soul, with therapeutic implications:
Not many years ago I began to play the cello. Most people would say that what I am doing is "learning to play" the cello. But these words carry into our minds the strange idea that there exists two very different processes: (1) learning to play the cello; and (2) playing the cello. They imply that I will do the first until I have completed it, at which point I will stop the first process and begin the second. In short, I will go on "learning to play" until I have "learned to play" and then I will begin to play. Of course, this is nonsense. There are not two processes, but one. We learn to do something by doing it. There is no other way. (p. 132)
I have seen many mental health practitioners admit to not having the
answer or the theory and proceed to take a position with a particular client
as if they did. And in fact, I would say very few, if any, can say they
could not be caught in this position. It seems to me, though, there is a
difference in working toward this position and working toward an alternative.
As long as there is a working toward a position of as if I know it will
be a challenge to collaborate as professionals within family therapy and
among mental health professionals. I contemplated what the difference was
between those whom I had worked with well and those whom I did not and shared
theoretical biases was not a major factor, but the willingness to work toward
an alternative to an "as if I know" position. Observing myself
interacting with those when it does not "click" reveals an "as
if I know" position which reciprocally implies that you do not.
Friends of the Family
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
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.
Get A Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy
at
Northeast Louisiana University
"A Systemic Experience"
Note From the Editor:
As this is my last issue serving as Student Editor, I pass the baton to Marty Carroll's very capable hands. I am proud of the work that I have done and hope that this medium enriches the program as a whole. I give special thanks to Mary Beth & Sarai, Christy in graphic services, and Tricia & Laura in Public Affairs. A very special thanks goes to Dr. Woodham and Stacey Siegendorf. Suggestions or comments should be sent to:
Marty Carroll
Department of ELC
Northeast Louisiana University
Monroe, LA 71209
318/362-3005 or 3008
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