In-Home Family Therapy Symposium

November 7, 2014, 9:30 am-12:30 pm

This presentation will offer an overview of the world of in-home therapy using a family systems perspective. Four family therapists will each speak to an aspect of this work, followed by a lively role play of a home visit to a family. Each panelist then responds by sharing ideas about case conceptualization along with thoughts on specific treatment strategies. The program concludes with an exchange of ideas among panelists and members of the audience.

Panelists

Liz Brenner, LICSW, has been training helping professionals for 30 years in psychiatric hospital, residential, home based, outpatient and child welfare agencies and conference settings. A faculty member of the former Family Institute of Cambridge, she continues to host and provide relevant training events that refuel and inspire helping professionals as the Director of Therapy Training Boston. Liz is the Program Director and primary instructor of TTB’s Intensive Program in Family Systems Therapy. At her office in Watertown, MA, Liz’s clinical work integrates family systems, trauma, interpersonal neurobiology and ancient healing traditions, including yoga and mindfulness practices. More information is available at www.therapytrainingboston.com

Mirza Lugardo, M.Ed., CAGS, LADC�I, LMHC, is currently the Director of Intensive Family Services at Harrington Hospital, in Southbridge, MA, where she has worked for 10 years. She is an adjunct faculty member at Antioch University New England and a Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor� In Training. Mirza earned a master’s degree in psychology and management from Cambridge College, then obtained a second master’s degree in counseling psychology and a certificate of advanced graduate studies with a specialty in addiction counseling. Mirza is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Applied Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy at Antioch University, New England Graduate School. She has considerable experience working with children and families, multicultural issues, trauma, substance abuse, and chronic mental illness.

Howard Wolfe, LMFT, has been practicing for 36 years in a variety of settings, including street work with youth, clinics (as a clinician, supervisor, and director), and in private practice in Arlington, MA. He has directed two successful Center for Substance Abuse Prevention substance abuse prevention grants and spends about 20% of his time providing training and consultation on child guidance and substance abuse prevention and treatment for youth. Howard’s career is dedicated to helping children grow up and changing the things that keep them from growing up. He believes that MFTs can play a unique role by promoting healthy parenting through couple and family therapy and parent education. Howard’s career is dedicated to helping children grow up and changing the things that keep them from growing up. He believes that MFTs can play a unique role by promoting healthy parenting through couple and family therapy and parent education. Other workshops include, Understanding Teenage Obnoxiousness, Parenting Wiggly Boys, Preventing and Treating Inhalant Abuse, and Floor Time for Parents. His idol is Jo Frost, the British star of the series, Supernanny.

Maria Zygmont, MA, LMFT has over 30 years of mental health experience. She graduated from Springfield College with a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is an approved supervisor and clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Maria has been the Director of the Brightside Family Support Programs since 1993. In November of 2009, the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) services of In-home Therapy and Therapeutic Mentoring were added. Under her direction the program has grown from three employees to 40 staff and master's level interns. Prior to 1993, Maria received extensive Cognitive and Behavioral training as a Director at Goodwill Industries Psychological Service Department. Here she was responsible for the placement of individuals with cognitive and emotional impairments into supportive community-based living arrangements, as well as psychological testing and developing and implementing behavioral management plans within the framework of family system theory. Maria also has experience in out-patient mental health clinics, as a Special Education Teacher, and an Occupational Therapist Assistant.