Writing

Factors Influencing Student Selection of Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Programs

Katherine M. Hertlein & Jennifer Lambert-Shute
In press with Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

ABSTRACT: To understand which factors students consider most important in choosing an MFT graduate program and how programs met or did not meet these expectations to students over the course of graduate study, we conducted an online mixed-method investigation. 112 graduate students in COAMFTE-accredited programs responded to an online survey assessing what factors led them to select a specific graduate program in MFT. In the quantitative portion, students ranked each factor (Personal Fit, Faculty, Funding, Research, Clinical Work, and Teaching) as well as characteristics of each factor in relation to its importance in their selection of an MFT program. Additionally, students indicated to what level their programs meet their expectations. In the qualitative portion, students described how they believed their chosen program was or was not meeting their expectations. Both doctoral and master's students ranked personal fit as the top factor affecting their choice of graduate program in MFT, but differed on of the characteristics of each of these factors and their importance in selecting an MFT program. Implications for this research include program evaluation, program advertising, and support the scientist-practitioner model.

Two Roads Diverging in a Wood: The Current State of Infidelity Research and Treatment

Katherine M. Hertlein & Gerald R. Weeks
In press with Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy

ABSTRACT: In this article, we will present the issues associated with infidelity and outline the contemporary treatment frameworks around this issue. We will discuss the definitional issues surrounding infidelity, summarize existent typologies, and outline the theories used to conceptualize infidelity. There are also therapeutic issues that should be considered in infidelity cases, such as the role of society in infidelity, multiple dimensions of infidelity, forgiveness, and self-of-the therapist. Current research is summarized, and a brief overview of Internet infidelity is included.

Medical Family Therapy: Reflecting on the Necessity of Collaborative Healthcare Research

Deanna Linville, Katherine M. Hertlein, & Anne M. Prouty Lyness
In press with Families, Systems, and Health

ABSTRACT: Much attention has been given to increased collaborative efforts between psychotherapists and the medical community. Medical family therapy (MedFT) provides a bridge between psychotherapy and medicine for individuals and families. This article offers a literature review on the empirical research evaluating the effectiveness of MedFT as the primary form of psychotherapy treatment within an interdisciplinary medical treatment team. This literature review spanned a time period from 1965 through 2004. The authors discuss difficulties in defining MedFT and conducting research in the field, provide a review of the outcome benefits of including mental health professionals on collaborative healthcare teams, and provide suggestions for future research that demonstrates empirical support for the effectiveness of MedFT.

A Systematic Research Synthesis of EMDR Studies: Implementation of the Platinum Standard

Katherine M. Hertlein & Ronald J. Ricci
Published in Trauma, Violence, and Abuse: A Review Journal

ABSTRACT: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychological treatment method for people who have experienced trauma. This article provides systematic research synthesis (SRS) of EMDR studies of effectiveness for post-traumatic stress disorder published between 1997-2003. This synthesis builds on the Revised Gold Standard (RGS) (Maxfield & Hyer, 2002) as a guide to evaluate empirical EMDR studies. Modifications and additions to the RGS criteria are proposed. The resulting standard is referred to as the Platinum Standard (PS). Fourteen empirical EMDR studies are reviewed and critiqued using the PS criteria. Nine of the studies reviewed report that EMDR was effective, and another 4 report it as least as good as comparison treatments. Only one study (Devilly & Spence, 1999) reports EMDR was ineffective as compared to another treatment for PTSD. The mean score for the studies on the PS was 7.5, with 8 of the studies exceeding the mean. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.

A Theoretical Framework for Defining, Understanding, and Treating Internet Infidelity

Katherine M. Hertlein & Fred P. Piercy
Published in the Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy

ABSTRACT: We offer a theoretical framework for treating Internet infidelity that employs concepts from postmodernism and transgenerational therapy. With this framework, clinicians will better understand some of the definitional issues and system dynamics involved, which should support more informed, coherent treatment of Internet affairs.

The Role of Differentiation in Extradyadic Relationships

Katherine Milewski-Hertlein, Rose Ray, Joseph Wetchler, & J. Mark Killmer
Published in the Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy

ABSTRACT: This study examines the relationship between differentiation and infidelity. Previous research in the field of infidelity indicates the persons who engage in infidelity may be more likely to triangulate other people into their relationship problems, thereby being less differentiated. The results of this study indicate a difference in differentiation level between monogamous and non-monogamous groups when controlling for duration in relationship and age of respondent.

Removing the Gag that Binds: An Examination of Therapeutic Implications of Political Correctness

Liddy B. Hope, Katherine Milewski-Hertlein, & April Rodriguez
Published in Contemporary Family Therapy

ABSTRACT: This paper examines both positive and negative influences of political correctness on family therapy. The authors contend the political correctness movement has limited assessment and joining in the therapy room. Impact on self-of-the therapist is considered. Strategies for combating the political correctness movement are discussed.

The Use of a Socially Constructed Genogram in Clinical Practice

Katherine Milewski-Hertlein
Published in the American Journal of Family Therapy

ABSTRACT: This paper discusses the rationale for a socially constructed genogram, allowing for multiple definitions of family to be represented. It describes the role of the problem system and the utility of this genogram in these situations. It describes the set up of a socially constructed genogram and provides clinical examples.

Hooray for Hollywood

Katherine Milewski-Hertlein
Published in the Journal for Clinical Activities, Assignments, and Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice

ABSTRACT: "Hooray for Hollywood" is an exercise that allows the therapist to get to know the family in a unique way. Based on emotion-focused therapy, this activity utilizes movies, books, TV shows, and other media sources as a way to connect with family members. By selecting characters with which each member identifies, this serves as a joining technique between client and therapist as well as opening up communication lines between family members.

Books Chapters, Edited Books, and Special Issue Editorships

I am involved in several book projects and have contributed several book chapters. With Fred Piercy, I completed updating the Focus Group chapter for the "Research Methods in Family Therapy" second edition. I also completed four book chapters for the "Therapist's Notebook for Children and Adolescents," published in March of 2003. The series editor, contacted me and offered me an editorship on a book in the series. My co-editor, Dr. Dawn Viers, recently completed the "Couple and Family Therapist's Notebook." We have had many wonderful authors contribute pieces as well as writing some ourselves. This book was published in Spetember of 2005. In November of 2005, Fred Piercy, Joe Wetchler, and I collaborated to edit a special issue for the Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, entitled "Treating Infidelity: Theory, Research, and Practice." This special issue was also be released by Haworth Press as a book tentatively titled "The Handbook for the Clinical Treatment of Infidelity" and will include a chapter/article that Dr. Gary Skaggs and I wrote on using structural equation modeling to understand the role of differentiation in infidelity. Dr. Deanna Linville and I recently completed editing the "Therapist's Notebook for Healthcare" to be published by Haworth Press. More recently, Dr. Gerald Weeks, Dr. Nancy Gambescia and I had a chapter accepted for incluson in the book "Innovations in Clinical Practice: Focus on Sexual Health" regarding the Intersystem Approach for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Further, Dr. Weeks and I submitted a brief entry on "Reframing" for the Encyclopedia of Counseling.

Reviews

2002

Milewski-Hertlein, K. A. (2002). Internet therapeutics: Website Review. Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments, and Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice, 2(1), 95-99.

Milewski-Hertlein, K. A. (2002). Internet therapeutics: Website Review. Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments, and Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice, 2(3) 99-106.

Milewski-Hertlein, K. A. (2002). Internet therapeutics: Website Review. Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments, and Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice, 2(4), 117-130.

2001

Milewski-Hertlein, K. A. (2001). 10 steps to self-control, anger management, and feeling good about yourself. Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments, and Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice, 1(1), 129-130.

Milewski-Hertlein, K. A. (2001). Internet therapeutics: Website Review. Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments, and Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice, 1(1), 133-138.

Milewski-Hertlein, K. A. (2001). Internet therapeutics: Website Review. Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments, and Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice, 1(2), 113-118.

Milewski-Hertlein, K. A. (2001). Internet therapeutics: Website Review. Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments, and Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice, 1(3), 129-134.

Milewski-Hertlein, K. A. (2001). Internet therapeutics: Website Review. Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments, and Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice, 1(4), 115-119.

Other Publications

Milewski-Hertlein, K. (2001). Surviving the Graduate Thesis (unpublished). Distributed to incoming Master's level MFT students at Purdue University Calumet.

Milewski-Hertlein, K. (2000, March 27). After the affair: Rebuilding trust and intimacy. The Chronicle, 18(22), 3.

Milewski-Hertlein, K. (1999, November 22). Marriage and family therapy update. The Chronicle, 18(10), 3.