Kerry Hart, LMFT
Kerry Hart is a licensed Couple and Family Therapist working from a systemic approach. Kerry helps her clients understand their pasts and help shape their futures by pointing out patterns that have developed in her client's lives, as well as within their families, and family history. Kerry received her Master's in Family Therapy from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA and is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Education and Theoretical Influences
Kerry has been extremely fortunate in that she was given the opportunity to study under the best of the best. Having attended Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, Kerry was able to study the theories by the original family therapists that invented the theories themselves. Kerry studied Person of the Therapist therapy under Harry Aponte, the man who invented this theory, which explores human behavior based solely on a person’s life experiences. The theory states that in order to be the best therapist one can be, said therapist must first know themselves and have a firm understanding of their own family of origin as well as be able to extend this theory to their own clients, and their own families of origin. The idea is to understand oneself through an examination of their own personal past. This can be an emotional journey, best guided through by an expert who has studied the practice of the theory extensively.
Kerry was also able to study Contextual theory under Catherine Nagy, the wife of Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy, the marital team which coined Contextual Therapy. This is a theory which emphasizes the ethical dimension of family development. This is a theory which focus’ on the importance of ethics and fairness in family communication in that relational ethics can be what truly holds a family together. This particular theory tends to work well with children, adolescents, and teenagers, as there tends to be a focus on what is fair within these populations.
During the course of her education, Kerry was directly supervised by Jay Lappin, who studied the creation of structural family therapy with the originator himself, Salvador Minuchin. Structural family therapy works from the idea that problems within families tend to be resistant to change as they have been embedded in powerful histories and unseen structures. Within this type of treatment, the therapist must first get to know the family as they are, in order to fully understand how they operate as a system. Once the therapist knows the family, they are able to target which structures within the system are dysfunctional and therefore need to be altered, and which structures are positive and effective, and therefore need to be strengthened.
Combining the above theories, Kerry has been able to strengthen her practice, utilizing her own methods which have proven successful throughout her career. Working from a client centered perspective, Kerry has been successfully able to work with individuals, couples, families, and groups due to her extensive training. Drexel University’s Couple and Family Therapy program has emphasized culture dynamics within families and the surrounding community. Examining cultural traditions and theories can also prove most valuable to understanding a family unit and how they operate. The ability to look at a family as a unit is a special skill that is emphasized in systemic therapy practiced by couple and family therapists.
Work Experience
Kerry started her career in medical family therapy working in the oncology department of a Philadelphia hospital. Kerry provided therapeutic support to individuals, couples, families, and caretakers for patients of the oncology department. She ran multiple support groups including a group for men living with or having survived prostate cancer, women living with or having survived breast cancer, and an additional group for patients, partners, families, and caretakers of individuals going through radiation treatment. Kerry also provided therapeutic support to women participating in the monthly Look Good Feel Better program sponsored by the American Cancer Society, which provides application instruction, cosmetics, and wigs for women going through various cancer treatments.
Kerry then transitioned to working with families within their homes who needed support in raising and/or understanding their children. As a mobile family therapist, Kerry worked with parents on their couple relationships, parenting skills, and behaviors. She also worked with children who required behavior modification, community resources, and various diagnostic treatment. Family reunification or separation of the household as well as family transitions were common issues as well.
Kerry has transitioned to private practice where she has been able to utilize all of her valuable previous experience. Kerry welcomes working with couples, families, adults, and teens. She can provide support as well as the tools for people of all ages to cope various challenges. Trouble in couple relationships can trickle down into the younger generation, bringing more problems into the household. Put a stop to the spreading of problems within the home, and bring peace into your hearts and minds. Schedule with an experienced Couple and Family therapist today!
Education and Theoretical Influences
Kerry has been extremely fortunate in that she was given the opportunity to study under the best of the best. Having attended Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, Kerry was able to study the theories by the original family therapists that invented the theories themselves. Kerry studied Person of the Therapist therapy under Harry Aponte, the man who invented this theory, which explores human behavior based solely on a person’s life experiences. The theory states that in order to be the best therapist one can be, said therapist must first know themselves and have a firm understanding of their own family of origin as well as be able to extend this theory to their own clients, and their own families of origin. The idea is to understand oneself through an examination of their own personal past. This can be an emotional journey, best guided through by an expert who has studied the practice of the theory extensively.
Kerry was also able to study Contextual theory under Catherine Nagy, the wife of Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy, the marital team which coined Contextual Therapy. This is a theory which emphasizes the ethical dimension of family development. This is a theory which focus’ on the importance of ethics and fairness in family communication in that relational ethics can be what truly holds a family together. This particular theory tends to work well with children, adolescents, and teenagers, as there tends to be a focus on what is fair within these populations.
During the course of her education, Kerry was directly supervised by Jay Lappin, who studied the creation of structural family therapy with the originator himself, Salvador Minuchin. Structural family therapy works from the idea that problems within families tend to be resistant to change as they have been embedded in powerful histories and unseen structures. Within this type of treatment, the therapist must first get to know the family as they are, in order to fully understand how they operate as a system. Once the therapist knows the family, they are able to target which structures within the system are dysfunctional and therefore need to be altered, and which structures are positive and effective, and therefore need to be strengthened.
Combining the above theories, Kerry has been able to strengthen her practice, utilizing her own methods which have proven successful throughout her career. Working from a client centered perspective, Kerry has been successfully able to work with individuals, couples, families, and groups due to her extensive training. Drexel University’s Couple and Family Therapy program has emphasized culture dynamics within families and the surrounding community. Examining cultural traditions and theories can also prove most valuable to understanding a family unit and how they operate. The ability to look at a family as a unit is a special skill that is emphasized in systemic therapy practiced by couple and family therapists.
Work Experience
Kerry started her career in medical family therapy working in the oncology department of a Philadelphia hospital. Kerry provided therapeutic support to individuals, couples, families, and caretakers for patients of the oncology department. She ran multiple support groups including a group for men living with or having survived prostate cancer, women living with or having survived breast cancer, and an additional group for patients, partners, families, and caretakers of individuals going through radiation treatment. Kerry also provided therapeutic support to women participating in the monthly Look Good Feel Better program sponsored by the American Cancer Society, which provides application instruction, cosmetics, and wigs for women going through various cancer treatments.
Kerry then transitioned to working with families within their homes who needed support in raising and/or understanding their children. As a mobile family therapist, Kerry worked with parents on their couple relationships, parenting skills, and behaviors. She also worked with children who required behavior modification, community resources, and various diagnostic treatment. Family reunification or separation of the household as well as family transitions were common issues as well.
Kerry has transitioned to private practice where she has been able to utilize all of her valuable previous experience. Kerry welcomes working with couples, families, adults, and teens. She can provide support as well as the tools for people of all ages to cope various challenges. Trouble in couple relationships can trickle down into the younger generation, bringing more problems into the household. Put a stop to the spreading of problems within the home, and bring peace into your hearts and minds. Schedule with an experienced Couple and Family therapist today!