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Recently, I attended the opening of the Family Systems Institute,
a joint venture by Jenny Brown and Joanne Wright.
What hit me first, is the homeliness of the weatherboard cottage where FSI
is located, with comfy chairs and fireplaces.
The atmosphere was conducive to the conversations on the night.
I appreciated hearing both Jenny and Joannes' histories of who they had trained with
and the various turning points of their careers.
The influence of mentors was apparent when Kerrie James, jokingly, said that she
felt like a parent when she turned up.
Kerrie spoke warmly of their acheivements and contributions to the field.
It reminded me of last year's Soirée in that we could understand
more of the history and connection between people in the family therapy community.
Hearing letters from Betty Carter and the current director of
the Family Institute of Westchester, was part of this.
Both Jenny and Joanne have been strongly influenced by the ideas
of Murray Bowen on family of origin work and they hope to apply these
concepts through a range of groups and training.
Jenny spoke of wanting to collaborate with other therapists, not in a
psuedo-sameness way, but in a way where we are able to draw distinctions
and differences in approaches.
I look forward to their contribution to a richer family therapy community.
I took the opportunity of encouraging them to present at the Sydney
Family Therapy Conference in 2005. And indeed, I would encourage therapists
to consider meeting with colleagues now with a view to presenting next
year.
Presenting often gives the necessary push to get clear about how we
work and to communicate this.
Lyndal Power,
President NSW Family Therapy Association Inc.
For more information about NSW Family Therapy Association
or the Family Therapy Conference in Sydney 2005 please write to
NSWFTA Inc., PO Box 766, Kellyville NSW 2155 or contact the FSI.
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