66th Annual Conference

Thursday, February 19
8:30 – 9:45 A.M.

Conference Opening Plenary

How can families recover and thrive in response to life crises and persistent stresses? In our turbulent times, the concept of resilience—strengths forged through adversity--offers a valuable framework for intervention and prevention in clinical and community practice. Dr. Walsh will present her research-informed Family Resilience Framework, identifying key processes to facilitate for healing and positive growth. She will describe resilience-oriented family and multi-family group approaches with diverse families facing: trauma and loss; major disasters; disruptive transitions (e.g., migration, job loss, divorce); prolonged multi-stress conditions (e.g. chronic illness; poverty); and barriers to success (e.g. at-risk youth). This collaborative approach strengthens kin and community “lifelines” for resourcefulness in meeting future challenges.

Froma Walsh, Ph.D. is the Mose and Sylvia Firestone Distinguished Professor Emerita, University of Chicago, and Co-director, Chicago Center for Family Health. She is a leading expert on family resilience in response to trauma, loss, disruptive transitions, multi-stress conditions, and persistent life challenges. Her practice approach integrates multi-cultural and spiritual resources in healing, wellbeing, and growth. Her major books are: Strengthening Family Resilience, (2^nd  ed. 2006);  Spiritual Resources in Family Therapy (2^nd ed. 2009); Living Beyond Loss: Death in the Family, (2^nd. ed.; Normal Family Processes: Growing Diversity & Complexity, (3^rd ed); and Women in Families.

Dr. Walsh, a licensed clinical psychologist, is a past president of the American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA), past editor of the Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, and a recipient of numerous awards, including AAMFT, AFTA, Ortho, and APA Div. 43.

Dr. Walsh holds a B.A. (Honors), University of California, Berkeley; M.S.W., Smith College; and Ph.D., Human Development, University of Chicago. A former Peace Corps Volunteer, she is a frequent speaker and consultant internationally on resilience-oriented professional training and services.