Celebrating Excellence in Education, Training, Counseling and Community Service since 1971 Newsletter of the Phillips Community | Winter

he Phillips Community | Winter 2008

Phillips Features
Clinically Significant
Retention Rates
with Latinos
Nationally, 50% of Latinos terminate therapy after the first session. The
Phillips Latino Family Therapy Program (LFTP) has a 94% retention rate
after the first session. Why is the LFTP so successful?

“Our success lies in our emphasis on excellent training. We train our Phillips President Lisa Porché-Burke, PhD, and Marv Southard,
DSW, Director of Mental Health for the Los Angeles County
student therapists to provide thoughtful interventions using techniques Department of Mental Health, at the Latino Family Therapy
Symposium, “Training and Treatment Model for Doctoral
tailored to the needs of Latino families,” explains Sandy Terranova, MA, Students in Psychology.”
Executive Director of the California Family Counseling Center (CalFam).

On October 1, 2007 CalFam presented a symposium which explored

the findings of a three-year project that expanded the training component of the LFTP to LFTP Track Record
include doctoral psychology students as well as marriage and family therapists. During 2006–2007, the LFTP:
Presented as part of the Latino Behavioral Health Institute 2007 Annual Conference, Had a 94% client retention rate after the first
session (nationally 50% of Latinos terminate
the Symposium included a panel of past and present Phillips doctoral student after one session).
therapists. MFT student therapists spoke through the rest of the conference at Phillips-
Completed its mandate to add a doctoral
sponsored workshops. training program.

“The LFTP is a unique training and service program,” said José Luis Flores, MA, Director Provided about 1,000 hours of therapeutic
services in Spanish.
of the LFTP. “To our knowledge there is no other that trains and supervises in Spanish,
In 2008, the LFTP marks its 30th year
giving the students a clinical immersion experience.” of training bilingual therapists to work
specifically with the Latino population,
a significantly underserved community
in Southern California.
continued on page 6

inside
We believe
Message
from Our
Speaking
of the
Kirby Tepper
on the
Passionate People
President
Lisa Porché-Burke 2 Communications
Bureau 3 Alumni Board
Presidency 4 can
Change the World
Message from the President
Dear Friends:
Greetings to all of you! As we move through 2008,
there is much good news to report.
In October we hosted the Latino Family Therapy
Symposium, where the spotlight was on our outstanding retention
rates for Latino families, couples and individuals. The success of this
program is based on our unique Spanish immersion training as
well as the excellent service our CalFam staff, interns and students
provide. What an exciting and well-attended event it was!
In June our Marriage and Family Therapy Program embarked on
an exploration of the future of the discipline with the American
Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). More
recently, Phillips, along with the Phillips Alumni Association and
CalFam, has launched a new effort at community service, the
Communications Bureau. The Bureau will help local nonprofits and
businesses locate quality speakers on the variety of topics that our
Phillips alumni, interns and students can provide. We know that
each of the speakers will represent the Phillips community well.
From May 11–14, we will host the
Accreditation Team from the California
Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The Team
will examine the School Counseling, School Psychology, Child
Welfare and Attendance, School Counseling and School
Psychology Internship Programs.
As we enter a new year, full of promise and new potential, we are
also honoring our ongoing commitment to students by asking the
community for renewed support for the President’s Scholarship
Fund. Phillips students of today will graduate to serve the mental
health and organizational needs of the Southern California of
tomorrow. They are dedicated to making the world a better place,
and we are dedicated to helping them. We hope you’ll join us.
Again, I hope that this year continues to bring much happiness
and joy to each of you.
Warmly,

Our academic programs continue to thrive. In the Fall we enrolled Lisa Porché-Burke, PhD
380 students, with the incoming class being one of our largest.

PHILLIPS
GRADUATE
INSTITUTE

ASSOCIATION
Education Training Counseling

Phillips Alumni Join the Alumni Association to:

Reconnect with Old Friends

Network with Professionals
Build the Alumni Association
Call Francine Roberts at 818.654.1753

page 2
 winter 2008

Speaking of the People

Communications Bureau
by Alumni Association President Kirby Tepper
Phillips faculty member Frank Baird, MA, instructor in Post
The Phillips Communications Bureau has been created as a Modern Theories, won the Peter Markin Merit Award presented
community learning resource representing the commitment to by the College of Education at Sacramento State.
service of Phillips, the Alumni Association and CalFam. It draws
on these partners to build strong community organizations,
MFT core faculty member David Willoughby, MA was honored as
educate the public and demystify mental health issues.
Volunteer of the Year by the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.
Local groups and organizations can contact the
Communications Bureau and request information on a
particular mental health or organizational development topic. Executive Director of CalFam, Sandy Terranova, MA was
The Bureau will send to them an intern, student under faculty recently appointed Co-Chair of the Mental Health Committee of
supervision, or an alumnus to present on the topic. Students the Valley Care Community Consortium.
and beginning presenters will volunteer their services free of
charge; more experienced speakers will charge a fee.
CalFam supervisor Diane Lee, MA has been approved as an
The Communications Bureau also provides a spectacular
AAMFT supervisor.
opportunity for Phillips students and interns to invest in their
professional development by learning to present formally to a
variety of groups. Clinical Psychology doctoral student Daniel Saland was
There are already 40 presentations available at no cost to recognized as a Student of the Year for Division 51 of the
nonprofit organizations and schools. Topics include American Psychological Association (APA).
Leadership in Nonprofits, Dealing with School Violence,
Fundraising 101 and Organizational Efficiency. There are
also several speakers who can present in Spanish to
monolingual and bilingual audiences.

During the first year of operation, we look forward to

conducting dozens of presentations in the San Fernando Valley
and Los Angeles areas and addressing hundreds of people on a
variety of topics.

Many mental health problems start out as concerns, or issues that

can be resolved through early intervention. Putting educated, caring
professionals in the community, ready to provide relevant
information will help build awareness and improve access to mental
health services across the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles.

For more information on the Communications Bureau or how you

can become a speaker, please contact Francine Roberts at
(818) 654-1753. At the 2007 APA Convention in San Francisco, (l to r) Tzu-Chen Cheng,
Monica Dremann, Dan Saland, Margaret Mansour, PhD, Sharon Rudy,
Megan Williamson and Paulette Theresa.

page 3
Message from the President
Alumni Board President Tepper Has Heart
Kirby Tepper (MFT 1995), President of the Alumni Association Board
Q How would you describe
yourself professionally?
A I’m a communications skills consultant,
composer/lyricist, and happy to be
working as a psychotherapist intern after a
long break from one-on-one counseling. As
the newly-appointed president of the
Phillips Alumni Board, I come with an
eclectic bag of experience!
Q
How did you move from the
entertainment industry to Phillips?
A
After desiring a less volatile career and
recognizing the benefits of my own
therapy, I found Phillips and loved it
immediately. I wanted a second career
with meaning.
Q What happened
post graduation?
A Mid-internship, I developed diabetes
and later cancer, postponing my
licensure. I am now interning again and,
as a cancer-survivor, I have a heart to work
with people affected by chronic illness.
Q What led you to the
Phillips Alumni Board?
A Former Alumni Board president Phyllis
Chase (also 1995 MFT) asked me to
join the Board. Everything I did drew from
the well of communicating with people —
the Alumni Board was the right fit.
page 4
Q What are your plans as
Phillips Alumni Board President?
A I would like alums to distinguish the
value of relationships made at Phillips.
I want the Alumni Board to grow, support
Phillips, and help the community at large,
but also to serve as a resource in
advancing each member’s professional
interests. I also desire collaboration
between disciplines. The Alumni Board
hosted a panel event for practitioners and
educators on December 2nd to promote
Alumni Board President Kirby Tepper, MA, and
understanding between Phillips programs. Student Liaison to the Board of Trustees,
Allison Spotts, at the 2007 Phillips Alumni
Alumni, faculty and students formed Panel Event, “Finding Common Ground.”
strategic partnerships for the future — the
reciprocal gain is priceless.
“Sold-Out” Event Spotlights
Marriage and Family Therapy
On June 1, 2007, AAMFT and Phillips co-sponsored a sold-out event titled:
The Changing Landscape: What Does It Mean to be a Marriage and Family
Therapist? A Collaborative Conversation. Deborah Buttita, MA, Phillips
department chair for the MA Program in Psychology/ Marriage and Family
Therapy, led the daylong conference, assisted by Phillips core faculty member
Kathy Wexler, MA and AAMFT-CA Division Executive Director Olivia Loewy.
“We put this event on because we were struck by the importance of
contributing toward the development of our field,” notes Buttitta. “There have
been so many changes since the birth of Marriage and Family Therapy. Now
we are looking at regulatory issues, licensing and such, but what’s really
important is how we, as therapists, sit in the room with our clients. How do we
facilitate their positive growth and change?”
Keynote speaker AAMFT Executive Director Michael Bowers began the
Conversation by focusing on Understanding the National Scene, followed by
Ms. Loewy’s update on trends and changes specific to California. Afternoon
sessions featured presentations made by Phillips faculty David Willoughby,
MA, Claudia deLlano, MA, Paulette Theresa, MA, and Susan Musetti, MA.
 winter 2008

upcoming “I Am an

events
Sunday, June 1, Woodley Park
Art Therapist”

Graduation Picnic
On Sunday, June 1st, from 1–5 p.m. at Woodley Park, the Phillips
Alumni Association will host the first-ever Graduation Picnic in honor
of the 2008 graduating class. Alums and new grads alike are invited
for fun, food and networking. Faculty members will be there as well.
Tickets are just $15 and can be purchased in advance by contacting
Francine Roberts at 818.654.1753. 2008 Graduates eat free.

On Campus at Phillips
“I Am an Art Therapist” Phillips MFT/Art Therapy Program Director
Currently on display in the Gallery Hallway on the second floor of Noah Hass-Cohen and faculty member
campus, “I am an Art Therapist” presents Art Therapy student and Erin King-West examining work from the
faculty meditations on this common injunction made by Shirley Riley. “I am an Art Therapist” exhibit.
Sales from the exhibit go to the Shirley Riley Memorial Fund, which
sends an art therapy student to the American Art Therapy Association
Annual Conference. Each art piece will be sold for $50 and some art
is still available to purchase. For more information about purchase,
see www.pgi.edu or call Francine Roberts at 818.654.1732.

June 10, Woodland Hills

An Evening of Wine
Phillips, as well as Ability First, and the Parkinson’s Resource Center,
will be honored at this wine tasting event sponsored by the Encino
Chamber. Come try your favorite vintage and support Phillips at the
same time. Silent auction, refreshments, fun. Tickets: $50 individuals,
$85 for couples. Held at the Woodland Hills Hilton. For more
information, please call Francine Roberts at 818.654.1732.

page 5
Scholarship Fund
Scholarships. We can’t do it without you.
Join us as we honor our students.
Every gift in any amount will be gratefully
appreciated. For more information,
please call Cynthia Carr, Director of
Advancement, at 818.654.1732.
Significant Retention
continued from page 1
In the last year, the program has trained
14 bilingual therapists and has provided
almost 1000 hours of therapeutic services
in Spanish. One student explains,
“Language helps us construct our world.
Everything I’ve learned I’m applying with
my Latino clients. It’s interesting to see their
faces when they learn they can
communicate their pain in their native
language. When they know you
understand them, that’s important.”
Another LFTP therapist with both Mexican
and Korean ancestry noted, “Within
months my Spanish absolutely flourished,
and I am competent.”
Opening remarks were made by Marvin T.
Southard, DSW, Director of the Los Angeles
County Department of Mental Health, and
Miguel Gallardo, PsyD, President of the
California Psychological Association, spoke
to the importance of training Spanish-
speaking therapists and creating culturally
responsive therapists, both of which are
focal points of the LFTP training model.
“Our desire is to share what we’ve learned
for the benefit of the community. We have
confidence in our model and have been
using it for 30 years,” noted Flores.
page 6
Phillips Students
Boosted by Scholarships
Organizational Consulting student
Geovanna Henao is passionate
about using systems theory to help
small business owners manage their
busy and sometimes chaotic
environments. Coming from a family
with three students in school,
including her mother, Geo applied
for the 2006-2007 Phillips Award for
Excellence in hopes of easing the
expenses of school.
“It meant a lot to me to accept the
Phillips Award for Academic
Excellence as an Organizational
Consulting student, along with Adina McGarr (CPDP) and Marissa Raderman
(MFT/AT). Knowing that the Scholarship Committee members had a tough
choice made me proud to be one of the students they selected for this award.
Answering the application questions, you
own what you’re writing and you
Phillips students become closer to Phillips. It
created a bond with the
of today will Institute that will last a
graduate to serve the long time.”
mental health and Each year, three students are
organizational needs of honored for their academic
the Southern California excellence with scholarships,
of tomorrow, but they based
and many more receive need-
funding. This funding is
need our help. primarily dependent on the
generosity of our community.
Our students are dedicated to using their
professional degrees to help families, individuals, and organizations. We are
honoring our students’ ongoing commitment to changing the world by asking
the community for renewed support for the President’s Scholarship Fund.
We hope you’ll join us in our commitment by making a gift to the
President’s Scholarship Fund. Mailed appeal letters will go out in late April.
Please call Cynthia Carr, the Director of Advancement, at 818.654.1732
for more information.

@phillips
news
March 2007
Acclaimed Psychologist Glen Roberts Speaks
Phillips Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program students and faculty
were treated to a guest appearance by the internationally acclaimed
psychologist Glen Roberts, PhD Known for creating and developing
the only standardized and objective measure of children’s intrapsychic
processes, Dr. Roberts discussed his latest test, the R-2 (Roberts Two).
April 2007
Phillips on the Air
Phillips President Lisa Porché-Burke, PhD and Yolanda Nunn, PhD,
Director of the Phillips Organizational Consulting Department,
appeared on radio and television discussing multiethnic issues in
higher education, and particularly the attraction and retention of
African American and Latino students. Both Porché-Burke and Nunn
have a great deal of knowledge and experience in this field as they
reflect and carry forward the Phillips commitment to diversity.
July 2007
Cultural Arts in Action: Musings on Empathy
In her most recent article, Noah Hass-Cohen, MA ATR-BC, LMFT,
explored how ritualistic art objects in a museum setting can stimulate
nonverbal neurological responses. Look for “Cultural Arts in Action:
Musings on Empathy” in Connection & Reflection, The GAINS
Quarterly, Summer 2007.
September 2007
CalFam on Local TV
CalFam’s unique services to the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles
were highlighted on the local cable television series City of
Achievement. Sandy Terranova, MA, the Executive Director of the
California Family Counseling Center (CalFam) and Co-Director of the
Latino Family Therapy Program, Jose Luis Flores, MA, Co-Director of
the Latino Family Therapy Program and Angie Gonzalez, PhD, Co-
Director of the Latino Family Therapy Program, were interviewed
about CalFam’s wide range of services to the community.
Following the Body’s Wisdom
Alumna Donna Emmanuel, MA, (MFT 1991) published “Following the
Body’s Wisdom,” an exploration of the use of Sensorimotor
Psychotherapy with one of her clients. Look for this article in in
Connection & Reflection, The GAINS Quarterly, Autumn 2007.
winter 2008
October 2007
CalFam Provides Care to
Fire Victims and First Responders
In the wake of fire storms and destroyed homes, the California Family
Counseling Center (CalFam) offered no cost and sliding scale mental
health services to victims of the fire and first responders.
November 2007
Exceptional Children’s Art Exhibit
The second annual “Fine Arts Exhibit of Artists with Developmental
Disabilities” was unveiled on November 20th and was shown on the
Phillips campus until February 2008. The exhibit was a collaboration
between the San Pedro Art Center’s Exceptional Children’s Foundation
and the Phillips Art Therapy Department.
December 2007
Catch Them Being Good
Former faculty member Jody Kussin’s book
has been reissued by Phillips and is
available for purchase through the Student
Store. Call 818.386.5674 for more details.
How Do We Change?
Joan I. Rosenberg, PhD, published “How Do We Change?”
a reflection on how thought processes can affect the brain and,
potentially, create life change in Connection & Reflection, The GAINS
Quarterly, Winter 2007. Rosenberg also serves on the Board of
Directors of GAINS (The Global Association for Interpersonal
Neurobiology Studies).
Finding Common Ground
The Alumni Association presented Finding Common Ground in
Clinical Therapy and Organizational Consulting on Sunday,
December 2, 2007. This panel discussion examined the differing
areas of practice and education within Phillips to find ways alumni
and students can form strategic partnerships and become referral and
resource bases for each other.
Recent Grants:
The Phillips community gratefully acknowledges all the generous gifts
we have received, as well as the following foundations.
LA County Supervisor Yaroslavsky’s office provided the Probation
Department $133,100 for Phillips to offer strength-based mental health
services at Probation Youth Camps David Gonzalez and Fred Miller.
The GGE Foundation gave $5,000 to support any
outstanding need at Phillips.
The Lon V. Smith Foundation rekindled funding with Phillips
by providing $3000 to the Latino Family Therapy Program.
The Aaroe Associates Charitable Foundation once again
granted $1000 to the Latino Family Therapy Program.
donated $2,000 to assist
Domestic Violence Programs.
page 7
Elda and Ron Soderquist
on Equality!
Elda Soderquist is one of the earliest Phillips graduates, having earned her
MFT degree in 1976, and her husband Ron Soderquist, PhD, is one of
Phillips first faculty members, having taught alongside Clint Phillips, PhD and
David Jansen, DMin. In their recent book, Equality! Secret of Lasting Love,
they combine their years of successful collaboration as therapists and
spouses to present an informative and practical guide to good marriage.
Q Why did you write Equality! Secret of
Lasting Love?
A Elda & Ron: The idea for our book evolved
when we had already shared a counseling
practice for some 20 years and we had
already celebrated our 45th wedding
anniversary. We did a lot of talking about
what we had learned about this very
complicated relationship called “marriage”.
The more we discussed our own marriage
journey and the heartwarming satisfaction of
helping couples grow together, the more we
began to focus on writing a book to share our
experience with others.
Q Can you discuss equality in the context of a
marriage? How does it work?
A
Elda: Neither person dominates the other.
We respect each other’s abilities and
appreciate each other’s contributions to
common goals.
Ron: I agree with Elda. She has a knack for
condensing complex ideas into just a few
words. As we began to focus on EQUALITY! as
the theme for our self help book for couples, I
often tested out our ideas on friends. For
example, when I told a tennis buddy we were
writing a book on equality in marriage his
spontaneous response was: “Oh, so it’s a fiction
and fantasy book, right?”
While his response caught me by surprise, I
soon discovered most couples, both men and
women, were not at all optimistic about
creating a really equal, democratic marriage.
Every day in our offices we work with couples
involved in a power struggle. In EQUALITY! we
dare to share our own evolution from power
struggle to comfortable equality.
Q
Can you give some examples of this
evolving from power struggle to equality in
your own marriage?
A
Elda & Ron: When you read EQUALITY! you
will find many examples of our growth
process, some difficult and even painful. For
example we write about Ron’s assumption,
page 8
early in our marriage, that
when we disagreed he
would have the final vote!
As a young couple we had no
idea how to negotiate a disagreement toward a
win-win solution. We had never learned those
skills. We had not seen them practiced at home.
Therefore, in EQUALITY! we very clearly lay out
the ground rules for negotiation, which includes
the skills of listening with an open mind.
Q
How has your marriage influenced your
clinical work, and vice versa?
A
Elda & Ron: There has always been a kind
of circle of learning, from our profession to
our personal life and back again. Certainly
there are professions where one can separate
personal and professional life: A chemist or
engineer can perform at levels of excellence
regardless of the quality of the marriage. We
feel fortunate to be in a profession where we
are constantly learning about couple dynamics.
We brought those learnings home and applied
them to our own marriage.
We have learned and continue to learn so
much from one another. Every day we are
reminded, at a personal level, of the
importance of courtesy, kindness, affection
and support for one another. It is natural,
therefore, to bring that awareness to the
couples who sit before us.
Q
Do you have any advice for young wives
and husbands out there?
A
Elda & Ron: If, as a young couple, you are
having some problems, do two things: Relax
and tell yourself first, “This is normal to have
growing pains in a young marriage.”
Secondly, if the problems persist take action.
Perhaps EQUALITY! will be all you need to
keep growing as a couple. It’s a place to start.
If you need more than a book, find a
competent therapist.
Equality! Secret of Lasting Love is available
through the Phillips Student Store
(818.386.5674).
@Phillips newsletter is print and online published
annually by Phillips Graduate Institute. ©2008 Phillips
Graduate Institute, all rights reserved. Permission to copy
without fee all or part of any material without a copyright
notice is granted provided that the copies are not made
or distributed for direct commercial advantage, and the
title of the publication and its date appear on each copy.
To copy material with a copyright notice requires specific
permission. Please direct all inquiries or requests to the
Director of Advancement at 818.654.1732.
Phillips Graduate Institute is a WASC-accredited
nonprofit educational institution offering masters and
doctoral level degrees for human relations professionals
dedicated to improving relationships between
individuals, in work settings and in the community. Built
on the family systems and local clinical scientist models,
our graduate programs in Marriage and Family Therapy,
Marriage and Family Therapy/Art Therapy, School
Counseling, School Psychology, Organizational
Consulting and Clinical Psychology attract a diverse
population of students brought together by the conviction
that families are part of the solution to the challenges
faced by the individual.
For more information on our educational programs,
please call 818.386.5660.
The California Family Counseling Center (CalFam) offers
strength-based family-centered mental health care to the
residents of the San Fernando Valley, and quality
hands-on training to psychology students and graduates
seeking practicum and internship positions. CalFam
provides services in a variety of settings, including
LAUSD schools, Probation camps, retirement centers and
onsite in a variety of theoretical styles. For more
information, call 818.386.5658.
Please contact Francine Roberts at 818.654.1753 or
froberts@pgi.edu with comments and feedback.
Staff
Major portions of @Phillips were contributed by Kami
Leonard. @Phillips is produced by the joint efforts of the
Office of Advancement, including:
Francine Roberts
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Kami Leonard
ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATE
BJ Mosteller
GRANTS ASSOCIATE
Cynthia Carr, MA
DIRECTOR