Student Comments About the Program

In November 2024, our students and faculty were able to attend the AAMFT Systematic Family Therapy Conference in Orlando, Florida. Here is what some of our students said about the opportunity:

“I initially agreed to attend this [AAMFT] conference primarily because of its location and climate—Florida? Yes, please! However, the experience turned out to be incredibly meaningful and empowering.
More than anything, I left the conference feeling deeply grateful to be a part of BYU MFT. As I attended different sessions, I was struck by the differences in how other programs train their therapists. Many of these highly ranked programs provide limited supervision, resources. During the poster session, multiple MFT students approached me, saying things like, "Wow! I wish we could do research in our program! How did you get here?" I felt so blessed to be part of a program that prioritizes the training and development of its therapists. BYU MFT has provided so many opportunities I didn't even know were possible, and I’ve only realized their value through conversations with other students. As graduation approaches, I feel more confident and prepared to enter the professional world, thanks in large part to my AAMFT experience.”
- Malia Villarreal Staheli

“I had a great experience at the AAMFT conference! Overall, the conference was awesome! It was academically strengthening and super fun at the same time. I’m so grateful for the funding I received to be able to go and have that experience.”
- Julia Dunn

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to attend [the AAMFT] conference, and for the support I had in going. I am particularly grateful for BYU and for the research and clinical experience that we are given, and if continued, will allow us to be evidence-based clinicians and researchers far beyond our schooling."
-Kaelie Wagner