The AAMFT Podcast

In this episode, Dick Schwartz and Toni Herbine -Blank join Eli to discuss the future of Internal Family Systems therapy. This conversation will explore how the model continues to evolve—shaping trauma treatment, couples work, and the broader psychotherapy landscape.

In this episode of The All-Star Panel Series, our host Eli is joined by Dr. Dick Schwartz and Toni Herbine-Blank to explore the role of compassion, curiosity, and self-leadership in helping individuals and couples move beyond protective patterns toward deeper connection.Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at aamft.org/podcast#AAMFT #Clinician #Mentalhealth #Counseling #MFT

In this installment of the All-Star Panel Series, Eli is joined by Dr. Froma Walsh, Mary Jo Barrett, and Dr. Celia Falicov for a rich conversation on resilience, trauma, and the essential role of culture in healing.

In this second installment of the All-Star Panel Series, Eli is joined by Jill Freedman, Gene Combs, and Diane Gehart for a conversation that will explore the heart of postmodern and integrative systemic therapy—story, meaning, mindfulness, and the transformative power of collaborative dialogue.

In the first AAMFT Podcast episode of 2026, Eli introduces the All-Star Panel Series featuring Cloé Madanes and Frank Dattilio for an in-depth conversation highlighting the enduring legacy of the late Norman Epstein. This series is devoted to legacy, mentorship, and the core ideas that advance our field of systemic therapy.

In this episode, Eli sits down with Dr. Michelle Sherman to explore the delicate balance between supportive love and codependency, the hidden struggles of family members, and practical strategies for maintaining connection when mental health creates uncertainty.

In this episode, Eli is joined by Dr. Steve Harris and Dr. Ronald Asiimwe, who share insights on representation, mentorship, and making MFT more accessible to diverse practitioners.

In this episode, Eli hosts a roundtable of six MFTs who share their early career journeys navigating the transition from grad school to successfully obtaining licensure and building caseloads.

In this episode of the AAMFT Podcast, Eli is joined by Dr. Carmen Knudson-Martin for an in-depth discussion about Socio-Emotional Relationship Therapy (SERT).

On this episode, Eli is joined by Dr. Anderson and Dr. Smith to discuss their research findings and emphasize the unique training needs for supervisors of color and the sociocultural factors that often affect the supervisory relationship.

In this episode, Eli sits down with Dr. Tammy Nelson to discuss Ketamine Assisted Relational Psychotherapy (KARP) as a potential pathway to release old habitual thoughts and patterns of relating to your partner.

In this episode, Dr. Eli sits down with Dr. Priest to discuss the theory-driven assessment and the EPIC model for diagnosing the history, structure, and boundaries of family systems.

In this episode, Dr. Eli sits down with Paul Martin to discuss a new model of mourning that honors the uniqueness of each loss.

In this episode of the AAMFT Podcast, Dr. Eli sits down with Dr. Fife and Dr. Whiting to explore the therapist’s “way of being” as a meta-intervention.

In this episode, Eli talks with Dr. Catherine Knibbs about how we use technology in everyday life. They also discuss how to identify when intervention is needed to assist our client systems in mastering problematic uses of technology.

In this episode, Dr. Eli sits down with systemic therapist Karl Melvin to discuss how clinicians can better support estranged adult clients using Karl’s Estrangement Inquiry Model.

In this episode, Eli sits down with Dr. Michael Hoyt to discuss guidelines and methods to make a single therapy session efficient and effective for individuals, couples, and families.

In this episode, Eli is joined by Kelli Murgado-Willard, who discusses assessing, treating, and integrating practical interventions with neurodivergent clients.

In this episode, AAMFT Leadership Symposium keynote speaker Dr. Laurelle Myhra joins Eli to discuss both the benefits and challenges of conducting systemic therapy with indigenous populations within predominantly Western mental health systems.

In this episode, Sara Qualls joins Eli to discuss how family therapy may help caregivers cope with symptoms of cognitive impairment while still meeting the needs of multiple relatives.

In this episode, Eli sits down with Dr. Kristy Koser for a discussion about helping couples navigating complex decisions while maintaining their relationship after a diagnosis of infertility and pursuing fertility treatments.

In this episode, Eli sits down with Dr. Ronald Levant to discuss normative male alexithymia and how he uses Alexithymia Reduction Treatment (ART) to support his clients in their therapy journey.

In this episode Eli sits down with Dr. Randy Heller to discuss the similarities and differences between collaborative divorce and traditional divorce mediation.

In this episode, Eli sits down with Dr. Devin Hussong to talk about integrating humor into the practice of systemic therapy.

In this episode, Eli is joined by the AAMFT Systemic Ethics Textbook editor, Kristina S. Brown, Ph.D., LMFT, to discuss the book and current developments shaping systemic therapy's ethical practice.

During this episode, Eli sits down with Dr. Kat Hertlein for a discussion about using AI tools to supplement systemic therapy. Tune in to hear Dr. Hertlein explore the benefits and risks of using AI in mental health, including potential data privacy and security issues.

In this episode, Eli sits down with Dr. Rebecca A. Cobb, the editor of the new book -The Therapist’s Notebook for Systemic Teletherapy: Creative Interventions for Effective Online Therapy – to explore innovative strategies and ways to adapt in-person therapy interventions for telehealth.

In this engaging episode, Eli hosts a discussion with Dr. Paul Hokemeyer and Shay Thomas, DMFT, LMFT. They delve into the ways in which marriage and family therapists negotiate and make use of various media opportunities.

In this episode, Eli and Dr. Janina Fisher discuss a new way of thinking about shame from a neurobiological perspective—as a survival strategy driving somatic responses of automatic obedience and total submission.

In this episode, Eli sits down with Christie Eppler, PhD, LMFT, to talk about her new book, “Cultivating Systemic Resilience in Therapy.” During this conversation, they discuss how to foster resilience in clinical treatment with individual and relational clients, supervisees, and in the therapist’s own life.

In this episode, Eli sits down with Dr. Max Zubatsky, Dr. Tai Mendenhall, and Dr.Jessica Goodman to discuss their perspectives and experiences as supervisors of systemic therapists at all levels of training.

In this episode, Eli interviews AAMFT's very own Chief Advocacy Officer, Roger Smith, to discuss AAMFT's efforts in developing a model of MFT license portability in order to promote more objectivity in assessing qualifications, as well as standardization between states in our increasingly mobile society.

On this episode of the AAMFT Podcast, Dafna Lender, LCSW, speaks to Eli about secure attachment of children with their caregivers, and the importance of playfulness and rupture repair in the parent-child relationship.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Sue Johnson on April 23, 2024. In this very special tribute episode, we hear from Sue in her own words about her childhood and professional legacy. Sue was also a cherished friend whose warmth and wisdom profoundly touched all who knew her. Two of those friends and leaders in the EFT Movement, Gail Palmer & Jim Furrow, join Eli to share their memories and emotional last conversations with their mentor.

In this episode, we confront the traditional male-female power struggle over intercourse frequency and replace it with a new understanding in which both women and men value affectionate, sensual, playful, and erotic touch.

In this episode, LMFT Martha Kauppi, sits down with Eli to explore polyamory from a systemic therapist's perspective. Martha is a therapist, author, speaker, and educator specializing in complex relational therapy, sex issues, and alternative family structures.

In this episode week's episode, Eli sits down with Dr. Durvasulais to explore the telltale behavioral patterns of narcissism and techniques that you can use with your client to encourage healing and growth.

In this episode, Eli sits down with married couple's therapists Harville Hendrix and Helen Lakelly Hunt, to discuss the unique challenges of approaching relationships with mindfulness and empathy. Their renowned Imago Relationship Therapy model, now being taught internationally, focuses on healing the inner self and utilizing needs-focused dialogue to heal the couple.

In the first installment of 2024 and the beginning of Season 6 of the AAMFT Podcast, Eli speaks with sleep expert, Donn Posner. Dr. Posner is one of the leaders in the field of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), and the founder and President of Sleepwell Consultants.

In one of the most personal and revealing interviews in AAMFT Podcast history, Eli explores with Bill his origin story and both his successes and challenges throughout his pioneering journey into systemic therapy integration.

In this episode, Eli sits down with Dr. Porges to talk about his latest book aimed at the general public. It definitively presents how Polyvagal Theory can be understandable to all and demonstrates how its practical principles are applicable to anyone looking to live their safest, best, healthiest, and happiest life.

In this episode, Deb and Eli discuss practical Polyvagal skills and how we can use Polyvagal Theory to transform the way we navigate our professional and personal relationships.

In this episode, Eli dives deep with Dr. Doug Snyder into a proven, research-based approach for treating couples impacted by the trauma of infidelity to learn the clinical skills that will empower your couples to recover after significant breaches of trust.

In this episode, Eli sits down with Dr. Lewis to discuss the four components of sibling ghosts: frozen images, crystalized roles, unhealthy loyalty, and sibling transference.

In this episode, Eli talks with a MFT leader in this area, Sara Reed. Sara is a mental health futurist and has spent her early career reimagining effective mental health care in the medical system.

In this interview, Dr. Ellyn Bader sits down with Eli to describe the evolution of her work as a couples therapist. She also recalls how she and her therapist husband, Dr. Peter Pearson, founded the Couples Institute and the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy, a model that teaches therapists how to diagnose, intervene and significantly help troubled relationships.

In this episode of the AAMFT Podcast, Eli has a thought-provoking conversation with AAMFT Past President & current Chair of the Spirituality in Clinical Practice (SICP) Topical Interest Network - Dr. Chris Habben.

In this episode of the AAMFT Podcast, Eli and leading scientist-practitioner, Barbara McCrady, review the historical and conceptual underpinnings of ABCT, as well as the specific treatment elements and structure.

On this installment of the AAMFT Podcast, Eli interviews EEFT innovator, Jim Furrow, Ph.D. They discuss how to confidently lead family members through distress and past injuries to create new relational patterns, bond with each other, and experience a fuller sense of security.

On this episode of the AAMFT Podcast, Eli sits down with the authors ofSocioculturally Attuned Family Therapy - Teresa McDowell, Carmen Knudson-Martin & Maria Bermudez – for a thoughtful dialogue on the need for marriage and family therapists to engage in socially responsible practice by infusing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout theory and clinical practice. They explore why sociocultural attunement and equity matter, providing clinicians with integrative, equity-based family therapy guidelines. It is a valuable listen for any systemic practitioner wanting to apply a critical consciousness to their work.