Family Therapy Training Institute of Miami

OUR INSTITUTE

The Family Therapy Training Institute of Miami (FTTIM) is renowned for providing exceptional training in Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT®) to behavioral health and mental health professionals. It was founded in 2003 by our Executive Director Olga E. Hervis, who co-developed BSFT® along with Jose Szapocznik in the 1970s.

FTTIM distinguishes itself in the experience level of its director and faculty. Hervis, who also co-authored the Brief Strategic Family Therapy Training Program©, has been teaching, supervising and consulting on the model since its inception. Supported by the largest staff of BSFT Master Trainers, Hervis has trained over 1,000 individuals at multiple sites across 35 states not only in BSFT but also in related skill-building workshops.

Training, which is available in the U.S. and abroad in Spanish and English, is tailored to the needs of the organizations, including to “consortia” of agencies that choose to participate in joint training. Our training also addresses the special clinical needs of immigrant and minority families in our communities. Hervis created the BSFT Adaptable Version (BSFT-AV). In this manner, she developed the methodology for importing an evidence based practice (EBP) from the research arena to the practice field, to serve clinical populations that differ in ethnicity, in social context, and treatment environment.

FTTIM offers other training workshops such as Structural Family Systems Rating (SFSR) and Strategic Structural Systems Engagement (SSSE), commonly referred to as the “Engagement Model”. Both were co-developed and co-authored by Hervis. Additionally, we offer consultation and clinical supervision services to therapists to cater to their specific needs.

At FTTIM we are passionate about the quality of training, monitoring, and on-going support we provide the organizations we serve. We help them remain viable and sustainable Brief Strategic Family Therapy sites, for the betterment of kids and families in their communities. Our Brief Strategic Family Therapy implementation site in Carroll County, Maryland won the SAMHSA 2009 Science & Service award, a testament to our commitment to excellence.

NOTE: FTTIM is an approved provider of CEUs in the State of Florida. We help students from other states secure CEUs in their states through the national reciprocity agreements between state licensing boards. Provider #50-45828.

FTTIM is a minority-owned enterprise, and an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.

Our Mission

Our mission at The Family Therapy Training Institute of Miami is to provide the best training and consultation to the behavioral and mental health practitioners in order to maximize the effectiveness of treatment provided to at-risk kids and their families.

We are committed to help organizations implement viable and sustainable BSFT programs. We accomplish this by providing BSFT Competency training and on-going consultation services to insure BSFT efficacy, fidelity, and permanency.

As the national trend for treating at-risk youth moves towards effective family and community based programs, FTTIM remains a benchmark in the dissemination of our evidence-based practices. Our children, families, and communities deserve our dedication to expanding services from which they benefit.

Who We Serve

We serve a varied client base, including:

Faculty and Staff

Olga E. Hervis, M.S.W, LCSW

Executive Director / Model Developer

Olga E. Hervis is the co-author and co-developer of Brief Strategic Family Therapy® (BSFT®). She is also the author of the BSFT Training Program©. In the 1970’s, Olga spent years developing the therapeutic models, and designing and conducting training programs. In 2003, she founded the Family Therapy Training Institute of Miami (FTTIM). Olga has held academic positions at the University of Miami, Florida International University and Barry University. She has been a collaborator in scientific work conducted by other institutions of higher learning, serving in numerous national grant review committees for the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Justice. Olga has won numerous awards for BSFT®. She is extensively published in books and scientific journals and has been teaching family therapy for over 40 years.

Olga recently co-wrote the new “tell all” BSFT book/manual, appropriately named Brief Strategic Family Therapy.

Silvia M. Kaminsky, M.S.Ed., LMFT, CAP

Master BSFT® Trainer

As the first ever clinician trained in BSFT by Olga Hervis in 1987, Silvia is a BSFT Certified Master Trainer and Supervisor who has been training BSFT® clinicians in multiple agencies for nearly 20 years. She was the President of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) during 2023. Silvia has presented in conferences and workshops on a national level on topics in the areas of marriage and family therapy, HIV, addictions, legal/ethical issues, gender inequality and of course, Brief Strategic Family Therapy. Silvia has 33 years of clinical experience, having worked as a clinical supervisor in both agency settings and her private practice for the past 30 years. Silvia has been providing training in English and Spanish in several states for over 24 years, especially in California, Maryland, Michigan, Connecticut, Colorado, Texas, and Florida.

Debra Miller, Ph.D., MSW, LMSW, QMHP, CMHP

FTTIM Associate Director and BSFT® Master Trainer

Dr. Debra Miller, PhD, LMSW, has worked extensively with FTTIM since 2009, supporting Michigan’s longest standing BSFT© implementation. A clinician-researcher, Debra has dedicated her career to family outcomes and implementation science; most prominently in the public health sector. She currently serves as the associate director for FTTIM supporting BSFT implementations throughout the country. Debra’s time with model co-developer Olga Hervis has been transformational in her clinical practice and skill in family therapy implementation.

Debra completed her PhD in 2021 in couple & family therapy from Michigan State University. Her dissertation identified a core set of skills that support the implementation of evidence-based family therapies. She is the co-author of Deliberate Practice in Systemic Family Therapy, a clinical training workbook that promotes practicing skills inherent to treating couple and family systems. She regularly presents at national conferences on research related to family therapy, clinical training, and practice implementation. Debra is also the founder and director of Sodan Systemic Solutions, LLC – a hub for clinical treatment, training, and consulting. Debra’s favorite part of her work is connection and embodies the phrase, “Systemic work is heart work.”

Deb is in charge of so many BSFT implementations we can just place her all over the USA. Throw a dart on the map, she’s there.

BSFT Adriana von Simson, M.S.W., LCSW

BSFT® Trainer

Adriana is a BSFT® Certified Trainer with 20 years of work experience in the field of Psychology & Clinical Social Work. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Social work from Boston College and completed extensive post-graduate work in Family Therapy at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic where she trained in Minuchin’s Structural Family Therapy. Her prior professional experience includes working at the Center for Family Studies of the University of Miami where, having been trained by Olga Hervis, she was a BSFT Facilitator for many years. At FTTIM, Adriana trains and supervises BSFT trainees in English and Spanish and is a member of the Institute’s Competency Panel. Adri carries on the BSFT work at clients in New York, Maryland, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Angela Chmar, LCSW-C

BSFT® Trainer

Angela is a Licensed Social Worker in Maryland with 30 years of clinical experience. She completed her Master of Social Work Degree at the University of Maryland and has worked in a variety of public and private settings where she has provided mental health treatment and clinical supervision. Angela was trained in BSFT by Olga Hervis from the Family Therapy Training Institute of Miami in 2008. She quickly advanced to the level of certified BSFT Supervisor and has served as the BSFT Program Director at the Carroll County Youth Service Bureau (CCYSB), an outpatient mental health clinic in Maryland, since 2016. Under her guidance, with the cooperation of FTTIM, CCYSB won the 2009 SAMHSA Science and Service award for their successful BSFT implementation. In 2024 Angela earned her promotion to BSFT Trainer. In addition to her role within the CCYSB organization, Angela maintains private practice, and she remains deeply invested in her clinical work and in the BSFT model delivery in Maryland.

Angela Deal, M.S.W, LCSW

BSFT® Trainer

Angela is a certified BSFT Trainer and Supervisor who was trained by Olga Hervis and Silvia Kaminsky from the Family Therapy Training Institute of Miami in 2012. She advanced quickly to become the onsite BSFT® Supervisor and then the BSFT® Trainer at Summit Pointe (Community Mental Health authority for Calhoun County). Angela is a licensed Master’s Social Worker in Michigan with 20 years of clinical and supervisory experience working with youth and families in community mental health setting. She received her degree at Michigan State University.

Angela remains on staff at Summit Pointe as the Director of Youth Services and oversees an internal BSFT program within the outpatient therapy program. She has trained several clinicians at Summit, including an onsite Supervisor (BCS), Michelle Ousler (see Michelle Ousler bio, below). Angela remains busy training and supervising BSFT in New York, Texas, Michigan, North Dakota, Florida, Virginia and Indiana.

LaNeisha J. Murphy, LPC, NCC, ACS

BSFT® Trainer

LaNeisha received her BA in biology from Macalester College and her MS in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. She is currently working as a clinical supervisor at Easter Seals Michigan supervising one of their home-based therapy programs and the BSFT® program. She is also in private practice and provides clinical supervision to limited licensed professional counselors.

LaNeisha is a BSFT Competent Supervisor and Trainer, who was original trained by FTTIM in 2014 and quickly advanced to become the Onsite BCS at Easter Seals due to her outstanding practice of the model. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor practicing in Michigan with 9 years of clinical and supervisory experience working with families in various settings. She trains and also supervises BSFT trainees throughout New York and Hawaii.

Michelle Oursler, LMSW

BSFT® Trainer

Michelle graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Master’s in Social Work in 1999. Since that time, her therapeutic work has focused on children and families in both residential and outpatient settings. Through the Family Therapy Training Institute of Miami, Michelle received her BSFT training in 2013 at Summit Pointe in Michigan. She mastered the model early on and was trained by Angela Deal to become the onsite BSFT Competent Supervisor (BCS) in 2018 at Summit Pointe, managing the adherence/fidelity program for her BSFT® staff.

Michelle earned her promotion to BSFT Trainer late 2022 and remains a BSFT® Supervisor and an outpatient therapist at Summit Pointe in Battle Creek. She maintains a strong base of BSFT clients in Florida, New York, Virginia, South Dakota, South Carolina.

Doris Brathwaite, LPC

BSFT® Trainer

Doris Brathwaite is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University and her Master’s in Professional Counseling from Argosy University. Doris received her Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT®) training from Olga Hervis in 2014 at Cobb County Juvenile Court. In 2018 Doris was trained by Silvia Kaminsky to become Cobb County’s onsite BSFT Supervisor (BCS). She is currently a BSFT Trainer.

In addition to her work with the Family Therapy Training Institute of Miami (FTTIM), Doris is the BSFT Trainer for the longstanding Cobb County BSFT implementation. She is the founder of Infinite Family Resources, a private practice in Atlanta, GA. Doris’ 14 years of clinical experience has centered around children and families both in agency settings and her private practice. Doris is very active providing training and supervision to BSFT trainees in South Dakota, North Dakota, New York, Florida, Texas, Hawaii and Indiana.

Amy Kay, MS, LMFT

BSFT® Trainer

Amy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of clinical and supervisory experience working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing families in community-based mental health settings. She received her degree from California State University, Northridge. She is a graduate of an interpreter training program and is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). Since 2010, Amy has worked extensively with FTTIM implementing and serving as the coordinator and supervisor for the BSFT® program with Deaf clinicians to insure successful outcomes for Deaf and Hard of Hearing families.

As an avid supporter of BSFT she has presented at the Five Acres Clinical Conference, The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and co-chaired the first West coast mental health and deafness conference with National Deaf Academy. Amy serves on many committees advocating for the rights of those with disabilities. She is so appreciated for her enthusiasm and experience.

Amy earned her title of BSFT Trainer in 2022 and will continue to conduct the supervision and training of BSFT® clinicians in California, Idaho, Colorado and Hawaii primarily. Amy is our certified Trainer in Sign-Language, as well as in English.

Kiaisha Barber, MSW

BSFT® Trainer

For over 20 years, Kiaisha has honed her skills and knowledge to provide compassionate and effective support to individuals and families. Her educational journey includes a Master of Social Work degree, and BSFT training in 2009 under model codeveloper Olga Hervis and master trainer Silvia Kaminsky. This training became cornerstone of her work with youth and families involved with the Department of Juvenile Services in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Becoming a BSFT supervisor in 2011, Kiaisha played a pivotal role in the implementation and expansion of the Children in Need of Supervision program at her agency. By utilizing BSFT, she provided assistance to numerous youth and families to prevent them further entanglement with the juvenile justice system.

Kiaisha’s extensive experience across various settings provides her with unique insights into how BSFT can meet the distinct needs and challenges faced by families in different contexts. She has practiced in diverse regions including Washington DC, Maryland, and Washington State. In 2021, she completed the BSFT Train-the-Trainer training under Hervis and Miller. Joining the team at FTTIM underscores her commitment to continuous learning and innovation in the field. Kiaisha introduced BSFT to her current agency in College Park, Maryland. To that assignment she adds training and supervision to agencies in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Dana Fahlbusch

Bookkeeper

Dana is a seasoned accounting professional specializing in a wide range of industries and companies. With a proven track record in accounting, Dana brings invaluable expertise, impeccable organizational skills, and a strong focus on internal controls to every client in FTTIM. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated adaptability and excellence in diverse financial environments, serving startups, small businesses, and large corporations. Her adaptability and consistent success have earned her a reputation as a trusted accountant which we value at FTTIM.

Lisa Bokalders, B.S. Ed

Administrator

Lisa Bokalders holds a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Miami, and certification in Management Training from the Xerox International Center for Training and Management Development. During her extensive tenure at Xerox Corporation, Lisa was a consistent award winner for her leadership and achievements in Training, Administration, and Sales. She is fluent in several languages which enhances our Institute’s ability to meet the needs of the multi-cultural environment. Along with managing all day-to-day activities at the Institute, Lisa also manages contract negotiations, instructional resources and planning, and the Institute’s website.

Anabella Alfert

Liaison Officer and Continuing Education Director

Anabella manages the Institute’s documentation flow to ensure that FTTIM remains compliant with trademark requirements, and that clients receive timely reporting on their implementation’s status. She also maintains all continuing education (CE) compliance requirements for state license renewal.

Anabella has over 28 years of public and private sector investigative experience, often working undercover. Practicing within various US investigative organizations, such as the Department of Health and Human Services, Ana has conducted many high-profile criminal and civil investigations involving fraud, waste, and abuse. She was the Supervisory Investigator for the National Benefit Integrity Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor, for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, performing integrity investigations for Prescription Drug benefits.

Currently, at Saint Joseph’s University, Anabella teaches graduate level courses, to include Terrorism, Ethics in Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Criminological Theory, and Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysis.

Ana is a member of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA). We are only too proud to have her as a valued member of our staff.

FTTIM Public Relations Firm:

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