Lunch & Learn
1.5 hours, 1.5 CEUs
$25 for Members
$50 for Non-Members
We are here too: Strategies for Supporting Non-Traditional Families
Description: This workshop recognizes and honors the wide range of family structures clinicians encounter today. It supports emerging professionals in developing cultural humility, addressing bias, and building creative, affirming practices when working with families different from their own. By offering experiential tools and reflective activities, the session equips participants to navigate complex dynamics with greater empathy, flexibility, and awareness central to providing inclusive, effective family care.
Traditionally, family therapy identified ‘family’ as a household with two parents and one or two children. As therapy advanced, our definitions of family have needed to change. However, many emerging clinicians continue to feel unprepared to work with families whose structures differ from traditional norms, such as polyamorous, foster, multiracial, or chosen families. The aim of this workshop is to address this gap in preparedness by exploring the unique needs and challenges faced by non-traditional families. Through hands-on activities, attendees will increase awareness of how they define non-traditional families, build a deeper understanding about personal biases that impact their perspective of non-traditional families, and learn practical and creative interventions to utilize with non-traditional families.
Our Presenter: Sheldon Aarons, PhD, LCPC has worked with couples and families in a clinical capacity for eight years. This presenter also has significant experience working with non-traditional families or alternative family structures (i.e., adoptee families, LGBT families, racially diverse families, and poly families). Additionally, this presenter teaches family theory and practice. Personally, this presenter comes from a racially diverse family, and has lived amongst diverse families that informs some of his experience.
Lace Campbell, a MaMHCA member, states: 'My experience with alternative family structures primarily stems from my work as an educator and advisor for over 25 years. In this capacity, I facilitated numerous discussions and family meetings with non-traditional families. As an advisor, I mentored and counseled children coming from diverse family backgrounds. Most recently, in my role as a service coordinator with DCF, I have supported transnational, LGBTQIA+, multigenerational, and foster family systems facing a myriad of challenges.'
Friday December 5, 2025 from 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Registration is required.
1.5 CEUs. This workshop meets any requirement for cultural/diversity focused trainings.
Members: $25 - All levels of membership
Non-members: $50
Registration closes 5 business days before the event even if there are open spaces.
Some workshops have limited 'seats' by request of the presenter.
When that limit is reached, registration will close.
