During the Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy Conference, September 3-5, 2025, MSU faculty and graduate students in the Couple and Family Therapy Program participated in panel discussions, research presentations, and workshops. The conference’s theme was “Persisting with Purpose: Building and Sustaining Systemic Research in an Uncertain Landscape.” The conference is an annual opportunity to build and sustain systemic family therapy research and community. Below are the highlights of our participation in the conference:
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Dr. Adrian Blow presented as the Plenary Speaker, “The Changing Landscapes of Systemic Therapy Research: Needs and Opportunities” at the 2025 Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy Conference.
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Dr. Andrea Wittenborn, professor and chair of the Human Development and Family Studies Department at MSU, led the opening panel titled, “Lessons Learned about Navigating and Sustaining Research Programs” at the 2025 Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy Conference. (Co-panelists: Dr. Megan Doblin-MacNab, Dr. Angela Lamson, Dr. Lenore McWey.)
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PhD candidate, Yaochong (Lucinda) Huang presented a paper titled, “Association between Relationship Quality and Substance Use in Parent-Emerging Adult Child Relationships: An Actor Interdependence Model” at the 2025 Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy Conference. (Co-presenter: Dr. Ahnalee Brinks.)
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PhD student, Pendo Galukande, presented a poster titled, “Systemic Family Therapy Practices and Interventions in Africa: A Scoping Review” (co-presenters: Dr. Anita Kateregga, CFT Program Alum – Dr. Ronald Asiimwe, Current PhD Student – Ibrahim Luberenga) at the 2025 Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy Conference.
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PhD candidate – Deja Young, and Dr. Kendal Holtrop presented a poster on Deja’s dissertation project titled, “Emotion as Legacy: Theoretical Insights into Parent-Emerging Adult Relationships in African American Families” at the 2025 Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy Conference.
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Current PhD candidate – Francesca Pratt, and Dr. Erica Mitchell presented a paper titled “Translation Is Not the Same as Interpretation: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Perinatal Experiences of Latinx Birthing People” at the 2025 Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy Conference.
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Dr. Kendal Holtrop, CFT Program Alum – Dr. Cait Edwards, and Dr. Wittenborn presented an interactive workshop titled, “Theater Testing: An Innovative Approach to Community-Engaged Cultural Adaptation Research” at the 2025 Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy Conference.
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Dr. Erica Mitchell, Clinic Director of the MSU Couple and Family Therapy Clinic, and Dr. Kendal Holtrop, Program Director of the MSU Couple and Family Therapy Program, hosted a workshop titled, “A Practical Guide to Developing Online Systemic Interventions” at the 2025 Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy Conference. (Co-presenter: Dr. Amber Vennum).
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CFT Program Alum – Dr. Ronald Asiimwe, presented a poster titled, “Impact of IPV on Family Relationships in Uganda: A Case for Culturally Responsive Systemic Therapy Interventions” (co-presenters: Dr. Anita Kateregga, Dr. Rosco Kasujja, Dr. Harriet Opondo, Dr. Firminus Mugumya, Dr. Elizabeth Okello) at the 2025 Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy Conference.
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Several students and faculty members from the MSU HDFS Couple and Family Therapy Program attended and presented their research at the 2025 Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy Conference in Columbus, OH - sponsored by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
