Marlene F Watson

Black Lives Matter is a clarion call for racial equality and racial justice. With the arrival of Africans as slaves in 1619, a racial hierarchy was formed in the United States. However, slavery is commonly dismissed as that less than noble aspect of the United States' history without really confronting the legacies of racial inequality and racial injustice left in its wake. White supremacy, based on the myths of white superiority and Black inferiority, have obscured racial inequality and racial injustice, resulting in blaming the victims. Using Black Lives Matter as a platform, we focus on some key considerations for theory, research, education, training, and practice in clinical, community, and larger systems contexts. Broadly, we focus on Black Lives Matter, literally; Black dehumanization; historical oppression; healing; and implications for the field of family therapy. More specifically, we draw attention to health disparities, mass incarceration and aggressive policing, intergenerational racial trauma, restorative justice, and antiracist work.

The COVID-19 pandemic brings to the forefront the complex interconnected dilemmas of globalization, health equity, economic security, environmental justice, and collective trauma, severely impacting the marginalized and people of color in the United States. This lack of access to and the quality of healthcare, affordable housing, and lack of financial resources also continue to have a more significant impact on documented and undocumented immigrants. This paper aims at examining these critical issues and developing a framework for family therapists to address these challenges by focusing on four interrelated dimensions: cultural values, social determinants of health, collective trauma, and the ethical and moral responsibility of family therapists. Given the fact that family therapists may unwittingly function as the best ally of an economic and political system that perpetuates institutionalized racism and class discrimination, we need to utilize a set of principles, values, and practices that are not just palliative or after the fact but bring forth into the psychotherapeutic and policy work a politics of care. Therefore, a strong call to promote and advocate for the broader continuum of health and critical thinking preparing professionals to meet the challenges of health equity, as well as economic and environmental justice, is needed. The issues discussed in this paper are specific to the United States despite their relevance to family therapy as a field. We are mindful not to generalize the United States' reality to the rest of the world, recognizing that issues discussed in this paper could potentially contribute to international discourse.

Social justice tends to be narrowly defined as equality without due recognition of human dignity and respect for those whose daily lives continue to be adversely impacted by race. This article seeks to explore key issues and challenges at the intersection of social justice and race for couple and family therapy. These include: (a) defining social justice; (b) diversity and inclusion; (c) power and privilege; (d) witness; and (e) personal responsibility.

The Person of the Therapist Training (POTT) model developed by Harry J. Aponte was introduced first in the academic setting of Drexel University's Master of Family Therapy Program in 2002. Prior to Drexel, the model had been applied only in the private sector with postgraduates. This article describes the vision of the then Department Chair Marlene F. Watson and the process of branding the POTT model.

The Person-of-the-Therapist Training (POTT) model, developed by Harry J. Aponte, teaches trainees to intentionally and productively use all aspects of themselves for clinical effectiveness. The current study explored the perceived impact of POTT on the clinical work of 20 postgraduates of Drexel University's Master of Family Therapy Program. Findings suggest that POTT is effective, generating a purposeful therapeutic presence that comprises the therapist's way of being and the therapist's way of doing. Also, participants express being transformed by POTT and employing learned skills beyond graduation. Implications for training and future research are discussed.

Little has been written about the experiences and stresses of low-income African American youth witnesses of intimate partner violence ( ipv ). Specifically, what is not apparent in the literature is the impact of witnessing ipv on the self-identity and development of low-income African American youth. Results of semi-structured interviews with ten young adult African American males and females, ages 21–29, who witnessed ipv as low-income youth indicated major themes from three variables under study (impact of witnessing ipv on self-identity and development; experience of being a low-income youth; and experience of being African American). Within the variable of the impact of witnessing ipv on self-identity and development, six major themes emerged in the data: opposing ipv /taking a non-violent stance; not wanting to be abused, controlled or disrespected in relationships; becoming independent/growing up too fast; developing trust issues; engaging in aggressive interactions, internalizing issues and rationalizing ipv ; and growth from witnessed ipv /view of self as better person. Two core themes arose from the six major themes: loss of childhood/gain of independence and adolescent problems due to ipv exposure. Discussion and significance of the findings are presented within this work.

Why are so many African Americans unhappy in their relationships, in their families and in their own bodies? Facing the Black Shadow is an intimate look at how black families, couples and individuals struggle against the pervasive belief in black inferiority - the "black shadow." This groundbreaking book offers a new way to challenge that belief and move from self-blame and self-hate to understanding and empowerment. Written by Dr. Marlene F. Watson, who is one of the country's foremost African American couple and family therapists, Facing the Black Shadow is filled with memorable stories and examples from her therapy practice and her own personal journey. With unflinching honesty and a tender eye, she tackles some of the most taboo topics in the African American community: skin-tone privilege and favoritism in black families; the long-term effects of the multigenerational legacy of slavery; the self-hate black people feel when they look in the mirror. Far from being a depressing book, Facing the Black Shadow offers a path for wholeness and happiness. Readers will find practical advice, step-by-step exercises and inspiration to transform their relationship to their own "black shadows" and find inner peace, connection and healing.

"This unique text uses one common case to demonstrate the applications of a wide range of family therapy models. Readers will find it useful when studying for the national family therapy licensing exam, which requires that exam takers be able to apply these models to case vignettes. The authors, all of whom are practicing family therapists, apply their chosen model of family therapy to a single, hypothetical case to highlight what each model looks like in practice. Beginning therapists will find the exposure to new ideas about therapy useful, and will be better able to establish which approaches they want to explore in more depth. Experienced therapists and supervisors will find it useful to understand what "those other family therapists" are doing, and to meet the challenge of supervising those from different perspectives. Family Therapy Review is the practical tool therapists need to make sense of the field, and meet the varied challenges their clients present"--