THE VOICES OF CHILDREN: PREADOLESCENT CHILDREN'S EXPERIENCES IN FAMILY THERAPY

Although family therapists often include children in therapy sessions, they rarely consider the child's wishes regarding participation or ask children for their impressions of therapy. In this study, 16 children between the ages of 5 and 13 who had participated in at least four family therapy sessions were interviewed to determine their perspectives on the experience. The children made it clear that they wished to be involved in a meaningful way in therapy and that they wanted to come to sessions even when they were not the focus. Feedback from these children is used to suggest ways family therapists might enhance their effectiveness with families with children.     

THE VOICES OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MFT STUDENTS: SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

This study examined the issue of African-American participation in MFT academic programs. Data for the study came from surveys completed by 25 of the 29 program directors of AAMFT accredited MFT programs and from 90-minute telephone interviews with 15 of the 20 African-American students identified by the participating directors. Results indicate that African-American students and faculty are glaringly underrepresented in MFT master's and doctoral degree programs. For example, although African-Americans constitute 12.2% of the United States population and 5% of all master's degree recipients in the United States, less than 1% of all MFT master's degree recipients are African-American. Specific suggestions are offered by students and faculty for improving recruitment and retention of African-American students and improving program sensitivity to cultural and racial issues which may impede the full integration of the African-American student into the academic program and the profession.