(MFGP)
C S E PUNN M O A C (C
) N O I T
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IN THIS (ISSUE) News from your class agent News From Your Class Agent 1 What’s New With You? 2 Alumni Spotlight: Mary Duncan 2 License Plates Now Available 2 Homecoming 2012 3 Inauguration of President Arant 3 Faculty Spotlight: Jay Johnson 3 Fall Alumni Events 4 From the Desk of Lisa Tilma 4
Lu Duerksen, M’01 MFGP Class Agent luandu@sbcglobal.net
License Plate Update on Page 2
It’s been a few months since I’ve had the opportunity to write to all of you. I thought I would share some things that have crossed my mind in the past few months.
Every day at Via Christi Outpatient Programs, we suggest that our patients look at different options they might want to adopt in their lives. We often encourage the patient to volunteer and give them ideas where they might want to look for volunteer jobs. We also talk about how to manage anger, relationships, communication and so on. (Our number is 316-858-0260. We will take your referrals.) Here’s my question: Do we, as marriage and family therapists, walk the talk? Are we encouraging our clients to do something we would not do even if we were given the opportunity? How does this play out for the patient/client? It seems like we need to be doing volunteer work if we are suggesting that someone else do it. It seems like we need to use the coping skills present when we talk about anger management and relationships. But do we do this? What are your thoughts regarding what we tell our patients? I would like to attend a workshop where marriage and family theories are reviewed.
Sort of like that first week of class when we had no idea of what was going on. I think I would have a better idea of how these theories can be used. Is there anyone else interested in such a workshop? The Alumni Office heard from George Williams, M’02. Earlier this year, Williams was appointed special assistant to the secretary at the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). Spokesperson Angela de Rocha said Williams will “focus on strengthening Kansas families, working in concert with the various divisions within the DCF.” Prior to this appointment, Williams worked in Johnson County, Kan., for the National Center for Fathering. And so I end my conversation with you. Until next time.