AFTNC Events

The ACE study gives us significant information on how adverse childhood events effect our psychological well being, and especially our relationships with family members. Using the ACE information, we can guide our individual, couple, and family work to treat trauma and relationship difficulties.  This discussion will focus on practical interventions guided by the ACE of your clients.

Debra Milinsky, MSW, LCSW works with couples, children, and families in Berkeley and Vallejo.  She was at Kaiser for 22 years and worked with CPS for 11 years.

• Date: TBA
• Time: TBA
• Location: TBA

Having a “Conversation with Yourself” in Couples Therapy with Gloria Fraser, LCSW

A “conversation with yourself” is a psychodramatic technique which makes internal parental voices external so they can be examined and challenged. It is sad to see our patients perpetuating dysfunctional messages from childhood with their own internal voices. In her couples therapy, Gloria Fraser, LCSW uses this technique to help bring the internal conversation into the couples conversation, helping to increase individual awareness, as well as partner’s empathy and understanding.  The “conversation with yourself” provides a powerful tool for developing healthier and more positive internal messages for patients which promotes their growth.

Gloria Fraser, LCSW has her masters degree from Smith School for Social Work. Most influential in her current work was her experience at Bronx Municipal Hospital, Jacobi, where she was on the faculty of the Albert Einstein School of Medicine. In addition to psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy, she participated in groundbreaking work in brief therapy in the outpatient “walk-in“ clinic. She also developed her knowledge of family systems thinking at the “family studies section” during the developing field in the late 60s. Relocating to San Francisco, Gloria was the head of family therapy for the inpatient unit at Mount Zion hospital. As clinical consultant at Buckelew House, a residential treatment center for young adults, she ran multiple family groups using family sculpting inspired by Peggy Papp. She has been in private practice in San Francisco since 1974. She served as program chair and president of AFTNC- an antidote to the isolation of family systems thinkers. She enjoyed the extended contact with the pioneering family therapists at the fall conferences.

• Date: Sunday, April 14th, 2019
• Time: 4:00 pm
• Location: Fairfax; Please RSVP to drkeith@drkeithsutton.com for address
• Continuing Education Provided by Bay Area Family Therapy Training Associates (BAFTTA)

“Working with the Family When They’re Not There with Unaccompanied Youth” with Lety Manzanares, LMFT

How do you work with children and families when they are not there?  In this workshop, we will discuss working with Unaccompanied Youth and how to help them through acculturation, family disruption, strengthening connections with sponsors or caregivers who may have never had relationships prior.  We will focus on creating safety and security, when the family is not there.

Lety Manzanares, LMFT works in the Oakland Unified School District and is an unaccompanied youth navigator specialist.  She builds systems at schools, brings culture together, and brings understanding to staff and leadership on how to integrate UY into the school systems.  She has experience working with the Marine Corps, and has 15 years working with mental health and addiction.

• Date: Saturday, September 14
• Time: 1:00 pm
• Location: Oakland