Season 2 Episode 6: Navigating Advocacy for MFTs in New York (Carol Podgorski, PhD, MPH, LMFT and Denise Murphy McGraw, CAE)

SummaryIn this episode, Kelli-Ann Henry hosts Dr. Carol Podgorski and Denise Murphy McGraw to discuss the current advocacy efforts for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) in New York State. They explore the challenges posed by the diagnostic privilege law, the impact of legislation on MFTs' ability to serve clients, and the ongoing mental health crisis in the state. The conversation emphasizes the importance of advocacy, awareness, and collaboration with legislators to improve access to care and support the MFT profession.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Advocacy Updates03:49 Legislative Impact on MFTs09:15 Challenges of Diagnostic Privilege19:12 The Mental Health Crisis and Access to Care24:19 Advocacy and Awareness for MFTs29:13 Next Steps in Advocacy35:49 ClosingGuests:Carol Podgorski, PhD, MPH, LMFTDr. Carol Podgorski is a medical family therapist and serves as a Professor and Associate Chair of Faculty Affairs in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester. She is also the Director of the Finger Lakes Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease. Her academic interests focus on family therapy in dementia, medical family therapy approaches to caregiving, and the development of family systems and relationally oriented models of dementia care. Dr. Podgorski completed her doctoral degree in sociology and holds master’s degrees in Public Health and Marriage and Family Therapy.  Denise Murphy McGraw, CAEDenise Murphy McGraw is a partner at Hill, Gosdeck, McGraw & Nemeth (HGMN), where she specializes in advocating for professional attention to legislative and regulatory matters. She previously served as the legislative director for a majority member of the New York State Assembly and as the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce Alliance of New York State. Denise manages a diverse client portfolio and is actively involved in various local, state, and national not-for-profit organizations. Her areas of expertise include higher education, healthcare, and policy governance.Click below to join the New York Marriage and Family Therapy Network today!https://www.nymftherapistnetwork.com/Music by AudioCoffee: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.audiocoffee.net/