Ep. 5: Mentorship, Meaning, and Systemic Change

Ep. 5: Mentorship, Meaning, and Systemic Change

This episode of The House of Family Therapy features a conversation with Dr. Sandra Espinoza, Alliant MFT faculty member and clinician whose work bridges systemic therapy, cultural humility, and social justice advocacy. Dr. Espinoza shares her professional journey from education and community-based youth work into family therapy, private practice, and academia, highlighting how mentorship and saying “yes” to opportunity shaped her career.  The discussion explores her clinical niches—working with interracial couples and undocumented or mixed-status Latinx families—and the ways sociopolitical systems, immigration policy, and forced family separation impact mental health and relational dynamics. Throughout the episode, Dr. Espinoza reflects on the sacredness of creating space for the unspoken and the importance of empathy, mentorship, and systemic awareness for emerging therapists.

Ep. 4: Narrative Therapy: Transforming Stories, Transforming Lives

This episode of “The House of Family Therapy” features an interview with Dr. Tom Carlson, a licensed marriage and family therapist and Alliant faculty member, who shares insights into his approach to couples therapy called "relational accountability." The discussion delves into the importance of purpose and mission in therapeutic work, Dr. Carlson’s affinity for his specialty of narrative therapy, and the often-forgotten magic of family therapy.

Ep. 3: "Your Story is Your Superpower"

Drs. Tabitha Webster and Gita Seshadri welcome their Alliant faculty colleague, Dr. Nicole Sabatini-Gutierrez, to The House of Family Therapy. They explore Dr. Sabatini-Gutierrez's journey into family therapy, her intersectionality, and the importance of personal stories in therapeutic practice. They discuss the role of rage in therapy, current trends in women empowerment, and the significance of experiential therapy. Dr. Sabatini-Gutierrez shares impactful experiences with students and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging suffering in therapy. The conversation concludes with rapid-fire questions that reveal Dr. Sabatini-Gutierrez's insights and perspectives on therapy.

Ep. 2: How Professional Identity Feels Like Home

In this episode of The House of Family Therapy, hosts Dr. Tabitha Webster and Dr. Gita Seshadri welcome fellow Alliant MFT faculty member Dr. Shruti Singh-Poulsen as their first guest. They discuss Dr. Poulson's personal journey into the field, her academic pursuits, and the importance of understanding oneself as a therapist. The conversation highlights the significance of cultural responsiveness in therapy and the evolving nature of Dr. Poulson's work, focusing on South Asian Indian populations. Listeners gain insights into the challenges and rewards of being a therapist, as well as practical advice for future therapists.

Ep. 1: Welcome to Our House!

In this inaugural episode of The House of Family Therapy, hosts Dr. Tabitha Webster and Dr. Gita Seshadri introduce themselves and share their personal journeys into the field of family therapy. They discuss the importance of understanding trauma, their experiences in academia, and the significance of cultural identity in their work. The conversation emphasizes the active and process-oriented nature of family therapy, encouraging future therapists to embrace authenticity and challenge perfectionism.