Coming Fall 2026
Dear Reader,
We are excited to share that the eBook, paperback and hardcover editions will be available for order on Amazon Fall 2026.
Sincerely,
Steve Simms, PhD, LMFT
Jennifer Benjamin, PhD, LPC
Pinky Patel, LMFT
About the Authors
Steve Simms, PhD, LMFT
Jennifer Benjamin, PhD, LPC
Jennifer Benjamin, PhD, LPC
A distinguished psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, and an AAMFT approved supervisor recognized for his innovative work in systemic family therapy. He holds a PhD in School Psychology and an M.Ed. in School Psychometry from Georgia State University. As the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy
A distinguished psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, and an AAMFT approved supervisor recognized for his innovative work in systemic family therapy. He holds a PhD in School Psychology and an M.Ed. in School Psychometry from Georgia State University. As the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center and an independent practitioner in Media, Pennsylvania. Dr. Simms has dedicated his career to helping caregivers liberate children, adolescents, and young adults from self-defeating, life-altering, and life-threatening patterns. He brings extensive experience from roles at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Division of Oncology, and as Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. Dr. Simms is also an accomplished author, co-writing the acclaimed book Breaking the Cycle: How to Turn Conflict into Collaboration When You and Your Patient Disagree, and has contributed to numerous publications in pediatric psychology and family therapy.
Jennifer Benjamin, PhD, LPC
Jennifer Benjamin, PhD, LPC
Jennifer Benjamin, PhD, LPC
She is the associate director of the Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center, and manages continuing education, certification programs, research, therapist feedback scales training, and clinical training and development. Jennifer Benjamin is a licensed professional counselor in PA and VT with a PhD in Industrial and Organi
She is the associate director of the Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center, and manages continuing education, certification programs, research, therapist feedback scales training, and clinical training and development. Jennifer Benjamin is a licensed professional counselor in PA and VT with a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Capella University and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Immaculata University. Based in the Philadelphia area, she works with youth and families dealing with complex trauma, life-threatening behaviors, and challenging medical or psychological conditions. Formerly she served as a clinical director at large community mental health clinic. She has also taught counseling and psychology at Rosemont College and spent a decade as a corporate teambuilder and game designer with Action Centered Training.
Pinky Patel, LMFT
Jennifer Benjamin, PhD, LPC
Pinky Patel, LMFT
She is the director of the Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center, overseeing organizational development, clinical training, and licensure supervision. Pinky is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Pennsylvania with a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from LaSalle University. She is an AAMFT-approved supervisor
She is the director of the Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center, overseeing organizational development, clinical training, and licensure supervision. Pinky is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Pennsylvania with a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from LaSalle University. She is an AAMFT-approved supervisor. Additionally, she currently serves as Program Director of Outpatient Family Therapy at Creative Health Services. She was formerly the Program Director of an in-home family therapy program for youth at risk for out of home placement. Her credentials include certifications in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family-Based Mental Health Services, and Trauma-Informed Yoga Practice. As a QPR suicide prevention trainer, she educates the community on crisis response. Previously, she directed the COAMFTE accredited post-graduate ESFT certificate program, helping shape its curriculum and professional development.
What's In the Book?
Whether you are a student, therapist, supervisor, or educator, this book is designed to provide practical tools you can immediately apply in your work with families. Inside, you'll find: clinical decision-making tools grounded in systemic theory, actionable, "in-the-room" language for guiding therapeutic conversations, a framework for balancing supportive and challenging interventions, ongoing, data-driven assessment strategies to inform treatment, and competency-based supervision model that integrates deliberate practice to strengthen clinical skills.
How does using ESFT help reduce the pressure on therapists to “fix” families?
ESFT offers a different perspective. Rather than positioning the therapist as the expert responsible for fixing families, it views change as something that emerges through relationships, collaboration, and the strengths already present within the family system. The therapist’s role is not to rescue families but to help them discover and strengthen the capacities they already possess.
By shifting the focus from fixing individuals to mobilizing systems, clinicians often experience greater effectiveness, deeper engagement, and less emotional burden.
How this book can support trainees, students, and clinical educators?
Learning family therapy can feel overwhelming. Students are often asked to master complex theories while simultaneously developing confidence in the therapy room. Educators face the challenge of translating abstract concepts into practical skills. Through case examples, clinical decision-making tools, “in-the-room” language, assessment frameworks, and supervision strategies, readers can see how systemic concepts come to life in actual practice. For trainees and students, it provides a roadmap for developing systemic thinking. For educators and trainers, it offers a practical resource for teaching, supervision, and competency development. Together, these tools help transform knowledge into action and learning into lasting clinical skill.