Northcentral University

F A L L 2 0 21 – I S S U E 8 3 Tell us about your clinical training/licensure, experience, and current work setting/location. My journey to become a therapist and supervisor began with my bachelor's degree in Marriage, Family, and Human Development from Brigham Young University. I immediately went on to Argosy University to achieve my master's degree and DMFT (Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy) with a special focus on clinical skills, clinical supervision, business leadership and business development. My doctoral dissertation involved the development of a premarital and relationship education program based on the principles of attachment theory titled, "A Premarital Education Program: Creating and Preserving a Secure Foundation of Attachment in Newly Developing Relationships." One of the most unique elements of the relationship program are mats that structure and guide couple communication and solidify the learning process through the foundational principles of attachment and experiential learning theory. The program is being used by therapists across the world and has been translated in multiple languages. During my educational process, I became a nationally-approved supervisor by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and a certified therapist and supervisor for emotionally focused therapy (EFT). Presently, I am co-owner of The EFT Clinic, which employs over 20 therapists, many of whom are working toward full licensure and EFT certification. When not in a supervisory or teaching role, I frequently do presentations at professional conferences, and I work clinically with couples, families, and individuals. Describe your supervision style in three words and explain each. Support: As supervisees are confronted with the worthy but complex task of becoming a competent and capable therapist, I've found that many newly developing therapists can feel vulnerable and overwhelmed. In my work with them, I strive to create a safe, supportive environment by acknowledging the challenges and complexity of marriage and family therapy while encouraging the therapist to be both gentle and persistent in their quest to learn. One of the most important aspects of my work with newly developing therapists is to help them learn how to "be with people" in an empathic and responsive way. Self of the therapist work is essential in supervision, so I often explore with therapists what challenges or barriers might cause them to lose empathic attunement with their clients' experiences. While exploring triggers and possible countertransference, I ask supervisees about their internal experience of working SUPERVISOR SPOTLIGHT Dr. Debi Gilmore LMFT, CEFT

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