Blog
"Reflections from IAMFT 2025"
Attending the 2025 Indiana Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Conference was both grounding and energizing. The two-day gathering brought together clinicians, educators, and students who care deeply about evidence-based and relationally attuned practice.
I attended sessions led by Dr. Scott Woolley, Dr. Rachael Olufowote, Dr. Shruti Singh Poulsen, and Dr. Raji Natrajan-Tyagi. Each offered a distinct lens on attachment, culture, and emotional process—from Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy to systemic work with South Asian Indian couples. Between sessions, I had the chance to discuss EFT attunement, supervision, and training approaches with Dr. Woolley—insightful exchanges that clarified the connection between theory and clinical process.
Between sessions, I found myself in thoughtful conversations with attendees about self-care and balance—how we sustain ourselves in this work while caring for others. Folks shared stories about cooking, gardening, and tending to their families, and it reminded me that community is built as much in those in-between moments as in formal sessions. Through the grace of God, Dr. Franchesca Fontus and I successfully delivered our presentations and were met with encouragement from peers and mentors alike.
The first night wrapped up with dinner at Dr. Poulsen’s home, where faculty and branch directors talked shop about the state of MFT education and training. Dr. Woolley shared stories about the early founders of family therapy, connecting past and present in a way that was both fascinating and grounding. It was an evening of candid conversation, mentorship, and excellent food—Dr. Poulsen can cook.
A heartfelt thank-you to Dr. Rachael Olufowote for opening the door and giving us the opportunity to present at IAMFT, and to Dr. Franchesca Fontus for her patient partnership, mentorship, and faith throughout the process.