Published by Communications and Public Affairs 519 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338

News Release

June 12, 2006

Couple and Family Therapy Program Marks 25 Years

The University of Guelph’s couple and family therapy program, offered by the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, is marking 25 years of graduating students with a celebration June 17. The day-long event will include an open house, a luncheon and panel discussion and a lecture by an expert in family therapy.

“Our program has become increasingly well-known both with prospective students and with potential employers of our graduates,” said Prof. Anna Dienhart, co-ordinator of the Couple and Family Therapy Centre and the graduate program.

“We offer the highest quality of training available, and our alumni are among the strongest in the field. The anniversary event will be a great opportunity to see where the careers of our graduates have gone and the work they're doing. It's about the people and celebrating their accomplishments.”

The day begins with a free open house and meet-and-greet at the Couple and Family Therapy Centre at 9 a.m. This will be followed by a luncheon and panel discussion from noon to 3 p.m. Guest speakers include University professor emeritus Claude Guldner, founding director of the centre; and retired family relations professor Judith Myers Avis, a former director of the centre who is internationally recognized for her work in feminist family therapy and working with survivors of sexual abuse. Also on the panel are Annette Dekker, president of the Ontario Association for Marriage and Family Therapy; and Karl Tomm, a professor of medicine and founder of the family therapy program at the University of Calgary.

In addition, Tomm will give the Harshman Lecture on “Deconstructing Shame and Guilt, Opening Space for Apology, Forgiveness and Reconciliation” at 3:30 p.m. in War Memorial Hall. It is free and open to the public.
U of G is one of only two universities in the country that offer a master's degree in couple and family therapy. Applications come from across the country and around the world. Six students are admitted each year, so admission is highly competitive, said Dienhart.

“This program has an excellent reputation, and it's kind of a hidden gem on campus. We offer therapy services to the public at a very reasonable cost and help a variety of people who are seeking change in difficult areas of their life.

“Our clientele is diverse, and we're committed to training our students about the various social, cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, gender and sexual orientation issues that are unique to our clients, so we can provide service that's meaningful for each of them, no matter how difficult their case or complicated the issue.”
For more information, call Dienhart at Ext. 53975, send e-mail to adienhar@uoguelph.ca or visit the website.