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Evolving Structural-Strategic
Family Therapy (ESSFT)

Evolving Structural-Strategic Family Therapy
​Certification
Level 1

Fundamentals
Level 2 

Advanced
Level 3

Certification
Level 4 

Supervisor

ESST Overview

Evolving Structural-Strategic Family Therapy (ESSFT) is one aspect of W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.'s Attachment Based - Cognitive Behavioral Systemic Therapy (AB-CBST). ESSFT is a transdiagnostic treatment for children and adolescents, developed from James Keim, LCSW's four stage approach to working with children and adolescents with oppositional defiant disorder. This four stage approach is a road map to family therapy, addressing the age old question, "what do I do next?".  Both clinicians in training and seasoned clinicians struggle with a direction in family therapy, as many models consist of theory and techniques, but not direction. Students in family therapy are often shown incredible videos of the masters preforming family therapy, but it doesn't tell them, what to do next? As most of us know, therapy does not consist of one "ah-ha" moment, then everything is better. This presentation of family therapy often leaves those who are learning it feeling confused, overwhelmed, and ineffective when they can't reproduce the magic they see in the demonstration videos. 
Learning to move from Stage 1 - Assessment, into Stage 2 - Preparation, and determining whether you might go down one path if you are working with an externalizing problem, or another path if you are working with an internalizing problem, helps to guide the therapy and choreograph a process that builds upon itself. In an externalizing situation, Stage 2 assists the parents in learning co-regulation, in order to deescalate the conflicts, and sets them up for Stage 3 - Structure, which if escalations aren't addressed, just becomes another opportunity for a power struggle. Stage 3 then helps create containment, moving the family from feeling out of control, to feeling more contained, which then sets up Stage 4 - Attachment, allowing for there to be a greater chance of success in repairing relationships.
​
​Four Stages of ESSFT:
  • Stage 1 - Assessment 
  • Stage 2 - Preparation
  • Stage 3 - Structure
  • Stage 4 - Attachment
Many family therapists attempt to do the Stage 4 work at the beginning, and often experience "resistance", such as parenting defensiveness. This is often due to not having done Stage 2 - Preparation work, which means the parent often does not feel connected or seen by the therapist, thus potentially feeling blamed. Other times, the Stage 3 - Structure work, hasn't been done, so the parent reacts defensively because they are feeling helpless to manage behavior problems or be effective with their child or teen. At times, the Stage 4 - Attachment session might go well, and the parent(s) and child have a deep connecting conversation, but because there was no Stage 3 - Structure work done, the family devolves back to using their relationship as a consequence (e.g., yelling, shaming, criticism), which then leads the child or adolescent to feel that they should not have had hope, and they put another brick in the wall that they build around them to protect themselves.  
​
Evolving Structural-Strategic Family Therapy (ESSFT) integrates evidence based models such as Structural Family Therapy, Strategic Family Therapy, Emotionally Focused Family Therapy, Behavioral Family Therapy, Attachment Based Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Exposure with Response Prevention, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, Internal Family Systems, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Family Based Therapy for Anorexia, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Feedback Informed Treatment and MRI's Brief Therapy Models. It also focuses on developing strong relationships with clients by using aspects of Motivational Interviewing, Feedback Informed Therapy, and postmodern approaches that include transparency, a one down position, and collaboration (e.g., Narrative, Solution Focused Therapy).  As the common research has shown, theory and technique will only get you so far, and the alliance is the most important factor for change, and having a good alliance must also include cultural competency and understanding of privilege and power.    
Evolving Structural Strategic Family Therapy Levels of Training

Level 1 - Fundamentals
The first level of training is the 6-hour workshop Integrating Family Therapy with Children and Adolescents, which covers the theories and techniques of family therapy and the various models that are integrated in ESSFT. The training then demonstrates those principals in the 4 Stage Model, where the attendees learn the specific processes and techniques of the model. Those who have taken the Fundamental training will have a roadmap and tools to use after completing the 6 hour workshop.  
Level 2 - Advanced
The advanced training consists of 6 days of training, over the course of a year, consisting of Day 1  - Stance of the Therapist, Day 2 - Stage 1, Day 3 - Stage 2 Externalizing, Day 4 - Stage 2 Internalizing, Day 5 - Stage 3, and Day 6 - Stage 4.  Each workshop will involve a more in depth dydactic training in each stage, videos of sessions demonstrating the techniques, role plays, and case consultation. Attendees will deepen and refine their skills in ESSFT.  
Level 3 - Certification

Those wishing to be certified in ESSFT need to have 20 hours of individual or group consultation from a certified supervisor, and present six videos of each of the four stages, a video demonstrating the stance of the therapist, and a video of stage 2 both with an externalizing situation and internalizing situation.  
Level 4 - Supervisor
To be certified as a supervisor, the clinician must be certified in ESSFT, and have supervised a minimum of two clinicians in ESSFT training. They will receive 20 hours of supervision by a certified supervisor, and will present two videos of their supervision.  
For More Information Contact Us At [email protected] or (415) 617-5932

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Upcoming Live Trainings 


SPRING 2024

Apr 19th
Integrating Family Therapy with Children and Adolescents
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.

Apr 26th - June 28th
10 Week One Way Mirror Training in ESSFT
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.

​SUMMER 2024

July 29th - Aug 2nd 
Summer Intensive 2024

July 29th
Integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.

July 30th
Integrating Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.

July 31st

Integrating Family Therapy with Children and Adolescents
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.

August 1st
Introduction to Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.

August 2nd
Creative Techniques in Child Therapy
with Jeannette Harroun, LMFT, RPT-S


August 2nd
Motivational Interviewing
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.


August 2nd
Assessment and Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children, Adolescents, & Adults
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.


Aug 23rd
Supervision, Law, and Ethics

FALL 2024

Sept 6th - Feb 7th
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Consultation Group
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.


Sept 13th
Integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
with W. Keith Sutton Psy.D.

Sept 27th - Dec 6th
10 Week One Way Mirror Training in CBT
with W. Keith Sutton Psy.D.

Sept 27th - Feb 28th
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Consultation Group
with W. Keith Sutton Psy.D.

Oct 11th - Feb 14th
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Consultation Group
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.

Oct 18th - May 23rd
Evolving Structural-Strategic Family Therapy: Level 2
with W. Keith Sutton Psy.D.


Oct 18th - Dec 20th
Integrating Family Therapy with Children and Adolescents Consultation Group
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.
WINTER 2025

Jan 17th
Integrating Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
with W. Keith Sutton Psy.D.

​Jan 24th - April 4th
10 Week One Way Mirror Training in EFT
with W. Keith Sutton Psy.D.
​
SPRING 2025


Mar 7th - June 6th
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Consultation Group 
with W. Keith Sutton Psy.D.

Mar 14th - August 8th
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Consultation Group
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.

Mar 21st - Aug 15th
Integrating Family Therapy with Children and Adolescents Consultation Group
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.

​Mar 28th - July 25th
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Consultation Group
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.

Apr 18th
Integrating Family Therapy with Children and Adolescents
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.

Apr 25th - June 27th
10 Week One Way Mirror Training in ESSFT
with W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.

SUMMER 2025

July 28th - Aug 1st 
Summer Intensive 2025

Aug 22nd
Supervision, Law, and Ethics

Information on Continuing Education Credit for Health Professionals
• CE credits for psychologists are provided by the Institute for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (IAP) which is sponsoring this program. The Institute for the Advancement of Psychotherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute for the Advancement of Psychotherapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.  
• The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE credits for LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFT license renewal for programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association.  
• ​LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFTs, and other mental health professionals from states other than California need to check with their state licensing board as to whether or not they accept programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association.  
• ​​For questions about receiving your Certificate of Attendance, or about CE, contact the Institute for the Advancement of Psychotherapy at [email protected]. ​​​​
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*There will be a dog present with Dr. Sutton at all trainings.
**3107 Fillmore St is an older building, which does not have an elevator.
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CONTACT US TODAY

San Francisco • Marin • East Bay • Peninsula • South Bay • Anywhere in California via Zoom


email

[email protected]

phone

(415) 617-5932
  • Home
  • For Clients
    • Children
    • Adolescents/Teens
    • Family Therapy
    • Couples
    • Addiction
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Anger Management
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Eating Disorders
    • Trauma/PTSD
    • Phone Crisis Resources
    • On Demand Workshops
  • For Professionals
    • All Trainings
    • On Demand Workshops
    • Attachment Based - CBST Yearlong
    • Summer Intensive
    • One Way Mirror Training
    • Consultation Groups
    • CBT Training
    • EFT Couples Training
    • Family Therapy Training
    • ESSFT Certification
    • EMDR Training
    • Child Therapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • ADHD Treatment
    • Seeing the Blind Spots: A Consultation Group for Examining White Therapists' Privilege
    • Seeing the Blind Spots: Exploring How You Think About and Experience Gender Diversity
    • Supervision, Law, and Ethics
    • Telehealth Workshop
    • DBT for Alcohol and Drug Addiction
    • Strength Based Culturally Informed Integrative Therapy
  • About
    • Payments and Insurance
    • Our Staff
    • Joining IAP >
      • For Staff >
        • Staff Info
        • Assessments
        • Intake Forms
        • Handouts
        • New Contractor Info
        • Additional Resources
        • IAP Library
      • For Admin >
        • Onboarding
        • IAP Referrals
        • DKS Admin
        • Accounting
        • Marketing
        • HR
        • Index
    • IAP's Virtual Open House
    • Nonclinical Internships
    • Blog
  • Contact