TAMFT 2025 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

2025 Annual TAMFT Conference: Shaping the Future: Advancing Relationships Through Systemic Advocacy
This year’s conference is dedicated to grounding Texas MFTs and friends of the field in systemic theory and practice. Our workshops and keynote speakers will be intentionally curated to invigorate and challenge the unique minds of systemic thinkers.
This annual conference, coupled with the ongoing tradition of Day at the Dome, will allow TAMFT members to connect with local legislators and advocate for bills and policies that directly impact the mental health of families and the systems we serve.

Add sessions to your personal schedule to register your attendance (Check-In).

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7:00am CST

Coffee With Exhibitors

Friday February 28, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am CST

Prefunction

Friday February 28, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am CST
Prefunction

General Session

8:00am CST

KEYNOTE: Assessment and Strategies for Working with High-Conflict Couples

Friday February 28, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am CST

Phoenix

Join me for an interactive conversation and training on assessing and treating high-conﬂictrelationships. Many therapists can feel intimidated to work with couples where there is trauma,ADHD/ASD, and intimacy-related concerns. In this training I will guide you through assessing acouple in the ﬁrst few sessions, creating a treatment plan, and structured tools you can use tofeel more conﬁdent as a couples counselor. There will also be open discussion and interactionwith the audience to answer some of your questions.Key Takeaways:1. Assessment of a high-conﬂict couple. Symptoms and signs to look for regarding trauma,addiction, inﬁdelity, ADHD/ASD.2. Development of a treatment plan using Gottman and EFT strategies.3. Career development ideas and strategies for building a successful practice that providesservices to couples and families.4. Review advocacy needs for our ﬁeld as the complexity of mental health grows and theimpact it has on families and the profession

Speakers

Sonya Jensen

Friday February 28, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am CST
Phoenix

9:30am CST

Break with Exhibitors

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:00am CST

Prefunction

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:00am CST
Prefunction

General Session

10:00am CST

The Relational Window of Tolerance for Couples

Friday February 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CST

Dover

During times of transition and change, couple relationships endure ongoing stress. As both partners attempt to regulate their individual distress and tolerance, the relationship fluctuates based on the present stability and fragility of each partner. The relational window of tolerance provides clinicians with a road map for understanding how to encourage co-regulation and relationship resilience for couples in times of stress.

Speakers

Jessica Barboza

Jessica is an LMFT from Austin, Texas and a doctoral candidate at Utah State University where she researches family meaning-making in bereavement. In clinical practice, she helps bereaved families realize greater interpersonal and individual resilience. As an adjunct faculty instructor... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Dover

Couple Therapy

10:00am CST

Transgender Youth: Ethical Considerations for MFTs

Friday February 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CST

Phoenix

Many clinicians express concerns about perceived ethical and legal implications of working with transgender youth. Coupling knowledge of pertinent ethical and legal codes with a meticulous ethical model, this workshop strives to equip clinicians to confidently and successfully navigate these perceived ethical and legal difficulties while working with transgender youth.

Speakers

Dr. Cameron Brown

Assistant Professor, Texas Tech: Couple, Marriage, and Family Therapy

Dr. Brown is an assistant professor of couple, marriage, and family therapy at Texas Tech University and an AAMFT-approved supervisor. Dr. Brown's developing program of research is focused on understanding romantic relationship dynamics. Within this focus, he primarily studies two... Read More →

Braxton Pierce

Jordan Disney

Friday February 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Phoenix

Ethics

10:00am CST

Navigating Transition Days in Shared Custody

Friday February 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CST

Magnolia

This presentation will delve into the findings of a qualitative phenomenological study focused on the lived experiences of individuals who share custody of their children, particularly during transition days. Transition days are defined as the periods when a child moves between the homes of divorced parents. The research aims to fill a critical gap in family therapy literature by examining the emotional, psychological, and logistical challenges that arise during these transitions.

Speakers

Kaegan

Friday February 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Magnolia

Family Therapy

10:00am CST

Post-modern Therapy, EMDR,Trauma,Addiction & Teens

Friday February 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CST

Austin

Many adolescents in addiction treatment have experienced complex trauma from extensive physical and sexual abuse. In our experience, EMDR alone often results in a re-experiencing of trauma. Integrating EMDR with Post-modern therapies facilitates a firmer grounding process, fewer abreactions, and sense of hope for clients who are easily over stimulated.

Speakers

Kristi Zimmerman

George Pate

LMFT-S; LPC-S; ICADC; AAMFT Approved Supervisor, Capella University; Sundown Ranch, Inc.

Dr. George Pate, LMT-S, LPC-S, ICADC is an associate professor in the Capella University graduate program of Marriage & Family Therapy MS Program, the Advanced Studies in Human Behavior PhD Program and is a Clinical Consultant with Sundown Ranch, Inc. Both individually and in association... Read More →

Autumn Collings, M.S, LMFT-S, LPC, LCDC

Therapy with Autumn

Autumn is the clinical director at Therapy with Autumn, LLC and is also a LMFT-S, LPC, LCDC. She has extensive knowledge and experience supporting children, teens, and parents. Her childlike heart allows her to see others in a way where they feel deeply understood and leave her... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Austin

Special topics

11:00am CST

TAMFT Luncheon & Business Meeting

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 1:15pm CST

Phoenix

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 1:15pm CST
Phoenix

General Session

1:15pm CST

An Intersectional Lens to Supervise Diverse MFTs

Friday February 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST

Dover

Based on a recent study conducted by the presenters on MFT trainees with intersecting minority identities, this session will cover best practices for applying intersectionality and social justice to clinical supervision. Participants will consider how their identity, privilege, and oppression influence the power they hold as supervisors working with minoritized trainees.

Speakers

Hou (Esther) Lau

Lizee Love

LMFTA (NC) & MFT Doctoral Student, Virginia Tech

Elizabeth "Lizee" Love (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate in North Carolina and a doctoral student at Virginia Tech. Her interests include marginalized identities, sex and attachment in couples/partnerships, and medical family therapy. Through her leadership... Read More →

Brittany Huelett

Friday February 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Dover

Diversity and Cultural Competency

1:15pm CST

Ethics and AI Clinical Documentation Tools

Friday February 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST

Phoenix

We will present our research on a comparative analysis of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted clinical documentation tools, evaluating HIPAA compliance, data storage and security, quality, and ethical implications for therapists. We will also present the potential impacts on confidentiality and client/workplace consent, therapeutic alliance, and training applications for supervision and practicum/internship sites.

Speakers

Karen Resendez

Sofia Georgiadou

Assistant Professor, University of Houston-Clear Lake

Dr. Sofia Georgiadou, LMFT-S, LPC-S is an Assistant Professor and Internship Coordinator at the University of Houston at Clear Lake’s MA in Family Therapy Program. She is also the administrator of the Coalition of Associations for Systemic Therapy (COAST)’s Educators Division... Read More →

Xena Wooley

Friday February 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Phoenix

Ethics

1:15pm CST

IFS-Informed Interpersonal Ethics in Supervision

Friday February 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST

Austin

This session explores how Internal Family Systems (IFS) can inform ethical supervision in marriage and family therapy. Participants will learn to identify and address power dynamics, fostering a non-exploitative, compassionate approach to supervision that promotes growth and systemic understanding within clinical relationships.

Speakers

Leila Anderson

Executive Director, Ava Recovery Center

Leila Anderson, LMFT-S, LCDC is a systemic therapist, supervisor, leader and educator who has worked with clients suffering from addiction and mental health in treatment centers, correctional facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and agencies for over a decade. She specializes in blending... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Austin

Ethics Supervisory

1:15pm CST

Que Ansia: Anxiety in Latinos

Friday February 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST

Magnolia

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent, affecting a significant portion of the global population. Psychoeducation plays a critical role in managing anxiety by empowering individuals with knowledge about their condition, reducing stigma, and enhancing coping strategies. Among Latinos, anxiety disorders manifest with unique cultural dimensions, often exacerbated by socio-economic challenges, acculturation stress, and limited access to culturally competent mental health services. The impact of anxiety on Latinos is profound, influencing their overall well-being, daily functioning, and community health. Effective treatment interventions for anxiety disorders include cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication, and culturally tailored therapeutic approaches that consider the specific needs and experiences of diverse populations. By addressing both the psychological and socio-cultural aspects of anxiety, these interventions can significantly improve outcomes for affected individuals, particularly within underserved communities such as Latinos. Comprehensive strategies integrating psychoeducation, culturally sensitive care, and evidence-based treatments are essential for mitigating the pervasive effects of anxiety disorders.

Speakers

Diana Beltran

Friday February 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Magnolia

Practice Development

2:15pm CST

Break with Exhibitors

Friday February 28, 2025 2:15pm - 2:30pm CST

Prefunction

Friday February 28, 2025 2:15pm - 2:30pm CST
Prefunction

General Session

2:30pm CST

Effectively Engaging African Americans in Therapy

Friday February 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST

Dover

Research suggests that rates of mental health issues among African Americans are similar to White Americans, but they are significantly less likely to utilize therapy. This presentation describes mental health treatment disparities among African Americans and the outcomes of our study that explored how therapists are engaging them in therapy.

Speakers

Vene Baggett

Felicia J. Holloway

Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University Central Texas

Dr. Felicia J. Holloway is an Assistant Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Program at Texas A&M University-Central Texas. A Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist-Supervisor in the state of Texas, Dr. Holloway also holds... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Dover

Diversity and Cultural Competency

2:30pm CST

TSBEMFT Rules Update

Friday February 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST

Phoenix

Protect your license by learning from Board Members and staff about recent and upcoming rule changes and common violations. Board Members will also answer questions, hear your ideas on how to improve licensure in Texas, explain the many challenges facing licensure, and explore your role in change.

Speakers

Sarah Faszholz

Lisa Merchant

Assistant Professor, Program Director, & Department Chair, Abilene Christian University

Dr. Merchant is the Program Director and Chair of the Department of Marriage and Family Studies at Abilene Christian University (ACU). She has a PhD in MFT from Texas Tech and an M.MFT from ACU. She also directs a Batterer Intervention and Prevention Program and worked previously... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Phoenix

Ethics

2:30pm CST

Playful assessment for children and caregivers

Friday February 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST

Magnolia

Young children are often part of a family presenting to family therapy, but many therapists do not feel competent to include them in the therapeutic process. This workshop will build your confidence in inviting family members of all ages to join in the fun with creative assessment opportunities for a deeper understanding of the family's needs.

Speakers

Mandi Melendez

Friday February 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Magnolia

Family Therapy

2:30pm CST

The NeuroEmotional Technique for Trauma

Friday February 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST

Austin

The NeuroEmotional Technique (NET) is a muscle-response, mind-body technique that uses a methodology of finding and removing neurological imbalances related to the physiology of unresolved stress patterns. Emotional responses are naturally ‚Äòhard wired‚Äô in the body. A stimulus happens, we respond, and then the body should return to normal. However, emotional trauma in the presence of a neurological or meridian deficit can cause a physio-pathological pattern in the body that does not resolve itself. NET helps improve many emotional, behavioral, and physical stress conditions, and facilitates the resolution of stress trapped in the mind and body. Attendees will learn about the research and science behind NET, and observe demonstrations of the technique in practice, led by an LMFT and an LPC-S who utilize the technique uniquely in each of thier practices and Dr. Joy Rincones, D.C., who will demonstrate how holistic physical health practitioners also utilize the technique.

Speakers

Joy Rincones

Tricia Foster

Cheryl K. Andrews

Friday February 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Austin

Special topics

3:30pm CST

Break with Exhibitors

Friday February 28, 2025 3:30pm - 3:45pm CST

Prefunction

Friday February 28, 2025 3:30pm - 3:45pm CST
Prefunction

General Session

3:45pm CST

Cultural Competency: Is Your Referral Ethical?

Friday February 28, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST

Austin

It can be unclear when referring a client due to a clinician's lack of cultural competency is ethical, or when it crosses into discrimination. This workshop explores the nuanced ethical considerations therapists face when working with diverse populations, offering guidance on maintaining cultural sensitivity in practice.

Speakers

Jacqueline Lazo

Vanessa Arreola

Dr. Cameron Brown

Assistant Professor, Texas Tech: Couple, Marriage, and Family Therapy

Friday February 28, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST
Austin

Diversity and Cultural Competency

3:45pm CST

Working with Afghan Refugee Women

Friday February 28, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST

Magnolia

This presentation explores the findings from a recent study of Afghan refugee women and discusses the clinical implications of providing mental health support to them. This session will prepare clinician to meet this population with cultural humility and sensitivity in order to appreciate the internal and external challenges of displacement.

Speakers

Adam Jones

PhD, LMFT-A, Texas Woman's University

Dr. Adam Jones is faculty at Texas Woman's University, a COAMFTE-Accredited Marriage and Family Therapy Program with Master's and Doctoral degrees. .

Umaimah Maryam

Friday February 28, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST
Magnolia

Diversity and Cultural Competency

3:45pm CST

TSBEMFT Common Violations

Friday February 28, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST

Phoenix

Learn from TSBEMFT board members and staff about common violations and how to protect your license. Sample topics include the supervision file and supervision best practices and protecting your license through case notes, documentation, boundaries, and self-care. Supervisors, Associates, and other licensees are encouraged to come.

Speakers

Sarah Faszholz

Lisa Merchant

Assistant Professor, Program Director, & Department Chair, Abilene Christian University

Nicole Richardson

Friday February 28, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST
Phoenix

Ethics

3:45pm CST

Family Court Systems: MFTs Role in Divorce Support

Friday February 28, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST

Dover

Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) often support clients navigating the family court system, including divorce and custody matters, yet many feel unprepared for this complex process. This presentation provides insight into the Texas family court system and explores the essential role therapists play in supporting clients during these challenging times.

Speakers

Tania Andrews

Friday February 28, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST
Dover

Family Therapy