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| Andrea Neeb FFT Inc. Externship Director Download Bio |
Holly DeMaranville FFT Inc. Communications Director Download Bio |
Dr. Michael S. Robbins FFT Inc. Research Director Download full CV |
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Meet our trainers and consultants
May Ambrogi
MSW, LSW, FFT National Consultant, PA State Supervisor
May received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Kutztown University, her Master's Degree in Social Work from Marywood University and is licensed in the state of PA. She has been working in the human service field for several years, starting in child welfare and the foster care system, and then home-based counseling with families. May is currently supervising an in-home therapy program working with families in which a youth is identified as at-risk for maltreatment/neglect due to substance use and/or mental health issues in the family. FFT is one of the interventions used with this population.
“I was introduced to FFT when I began working in a program in which some of the therapists were FFT trained. Upon reading about FFT, I became determined to be part of the team, feeling FFT’s truly strength-based approach to family counseling fit my profession's values and my own belief that long-lasting change occurs when the system is impacted, not just the individual. I asked (and desperately hoped) to be trained, and once trained, began practicing FFT with families experiencing a number of problems ranging from delinquency to mental health and/or substance use issues.”
May currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, Chris, and their adorable cat, Winston.
Kellie Armey
LISW-S, FFT National Consultant, FFT National Trainer (Replacement Training Series, Clinical Training 1, Advanced Clinicals, Supervisor Training 1), FFT National Supervisor, FFT National Externship Trainer, Ohio State Coordinator
Kellie received her Bachelor’s of Social Work at Colorado State University and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver and retains a LISW-S.
“I have spent my career working with at-risk youth and their families with special interest and a primary focus on homeless or street youth. Some would say I have attempted most methods of intervention working with what has been considered to be “kids who fall through cracks in the system”. However, I have found most success working with FAMILIES and young people and found FFT to not only be effective with this population, but to sincerely provide young people with a voice in their future.”
Kellie currently resides in the ever popular State of Ohio which some believe is “The Heart of It All”. She lives with her husband; Tim a published poet and high school teacher. Together, they are raising two fearless Jedi Masters; Tristam (9) and Charley (4).
Deborah Babcock
LPC, FFT National Consultant and FFT National Externship Trainer
Deborah lives in Highlands Ranch, CO which is about 25 miles south of Denver. She did both her undergraduate work in Psychology and graduate studies in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Colorado (go Buffs). She was, until recently, working at a local mental health center as a FFT therapist/site lead. The center saw mostly schoo-based referrals (youth who had been expelled from Littleton Public Schools for conduct issues), mental health referrals, some diversion and probation referrals.
“Prior to life in the FFT world, I worked on an early childhood team, which targeted mostly youth between the ages of 3-5 years old. Although my primary intervention was play therapy, I learned very quickly that families had to be the mechanism for change in little ones who were struggling behaviorally. Engaging other family members to be part of the change process and often shifting negative views of behavior played a big role in being able to move forward with families. I have to be honest that when I applied to work on a local FFT team, I really didn't know much about the model. A colleague/friend of mine actually called to recruit me for the position. He had been trained in FFT and practicing the model for about 6 months at the time and said to me about the model, you'll really like this, it actually works. Luckily the core principles of FFT were very much in line with my beliefs about families and the change process.”
Laura de Blank
LPC, LISAC, FFT National Consultant
Laura is the Clinical Director of Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development (a private, non-profit agency that works with runaway, homeless, delinquent, and dependent adolescents.) In addition, she is the Chairman of Arizona’s Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and the Secretary/Treasurer of Arizona’s Counselor Credentialing Committee of the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. She received her Bachelor’s from Stanford University in History and her Master’s of Counseling Psychology from Arizona State University. She is both a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor.
“In 1999, we learned about FFT from the University of Colorado’s Blueprints Program and chose it as the model that most closely met our needs. Our agency was frustrated with seeing our work with youth not sustaining due to the youth facing exactly the same problems once he or she returned home and in their neighborhoods that had gotten them into trouble in the first place. We observed that if we couldn’t help the family, we would see not only the youth again, but also all their younger brothers and sisters in our programs in the future. FFT has been a successful model with the wide variety of clients we serve; from youth who have just begun to run away from home and who have never received any community services before, and youth who are beginning to get in trouble with the law in our Detention Alternative Program, to youth who have long histories of criminal behavior and failed services who are in Juvenile Corrections or have been transferred to Adult Probation. I believe that FFT works well with a wide variety of people because it is observant and respectful of each family’s individual culture. FFT is strength-based and works from within a family, not from without. This partnership of FFT therapist and client family increases hope and empowers the clients, and thus motivating them to change in ways that help them meet their goals.”
Elisa Doebler-Irvine
PhD, LPC,FFT National Consultant, Oregon State Coordinator
Elisa is the Executive Director of Homestead Youth & Family Services, Inc. in Pendleton, Oregon. She is an instructor for Eastern Oregon University, a Member-At-Large of the Blue Mountain Community Dispute Resolution Program Board of Directors and has a private practice. She has her Master’s in Counseling Psychology and her Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, an AAMFT Clinical Member and an ATSA Clinical and Research Member.
“I have always been keenly interested in adolescent development and delinquency and was drawn to family therapy as my preferred mode of clinical practice. In the mid-1990s, I became increasingly interested in evidence-based practice after hearing colleagues conclude that “nothing worked” with delinquent adolescents. It was about this time that I learned about an approach called Functional Family Therapy with encouraging outcome data coming out of Utah. Shortly after this, I began active efforts to develop an FFT team in my agency.”
Griszel Long
LSW, MSW, FFT National Consultant
Philadelphian Griszel Long works at The Consortium where for the last five years she has held positions as an FFT therapist, FFT Site Supervisor, and as a recruiter of families for the Philadelphia National Externship. She is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Temple University.
“There is an old song that asks the question, ‘Is that all there is?’ This song expressed how I felt about what I was doing before I discovered the gift of FFT. I knew I wanted to work with families in a social service setting but I had always felt like there was something missing. With FFT there was immediate satisfaction as the model articulated the missing piece. It was and is the model’s ability to challenge and to broaden our thinking about people. People’s behavior may be misguided but never “just negative.” It’s our job and indeed our utmost responsibility to see and help others see the decency within each other.”
Julie Elmenhurst
MSW, LICSW, FFT National Consultant
Julie has a Master’s in Social Work from Walla Walla College, and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). She resides in Kennewick, Washington, and currently contracts with the Benton County (Washington) Juvenile Court as an FFT therapist.
“I was a juvenile probation officer for over 10 years before becoming an FFT therapist. Although the transition from probation to FFT was immensely difficult, the FFT core principles and skills have allowed me to help families in ways that had never been possible as a probation officer. It is an honor to use a family counseling model that treats all families with dignity and respect, and empowers them to make lasting change.”
Amy Hollimon
Ph.D, Licensed Psychologist, FFT National Trainer (Clinical Training 1, Replacement Training, Supervisor Training 2), Annie E. Casey Blue Sky Project Faculty, FFT Research Associate
Amy is a faculty member of the Annie E. Casey Blue Sky Project in addition to her work with FFT. She got her Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Chemistry from the University of Mississippi in 1997, her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2000, and in 2004 she received her Doctorate from Indiana University. She is a Licensed Psychologist.
“The reason I was drawn to FFT was because I believed as a therapist I could have a greater impact on adolescents if I worked with the entire family. I was tired of just working with kids one-on-one and seeing no sustainable changes. That was the hook for me initially. What sustained my interest in FFT as a therapist were the relationships I had with families, the renewed relationships they created with each other, and seeing them make positive changes in their lives. And it was just flat out fun. There’s not much more rewarding than bumping into your families years later and seeing how excited they are to tell you how well they are doing...or just seeing them from a distance and observing how strong their relationships have become.
As a trainer and consultant, I am still intrigued by the model and how much the principles of respect, humility, and engagement play a role in all the work that I do. It’s rewarding to start off with a room full of strangers and watch them as they learn the model and get excited to help families by providing FFT. I also enjoy feeling as if I learn some different nuance about the model every time I teach it to others. I find that regardless of who I am talking to—families, therapists, supervisors, judges, probation officers, friends, my family, etc—those core principles of FFT guide all those interactions and collaborations in a positive way.” Amy lives with her husband and two daughters in Fairhope, AL.
Marnie Huffman-Green
MSW, LCSW, FFT National Consultant
Marnie works at a Mental Health Center serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties. She serves as a FFT Clinical Supervisor, FFT home-based therapist, and a Youth Advocate Supervisor. Marnie has been working at the Mental Health Center for 5 + Years. She got her Bachelor’s of Psychology from Amherst College and attended Smith School for Social Work where she received her Master’s of Social Work degree.
“I feel so committed to this kind of work and FFT specifically; the ability to work with families and help families see their strengths and their abilities and help highlight those strengths and empower families. I am extremely committed to helping the system see families and youth in different ways: helping systems to shift their "lens" and see families through their strengths and abilities rather than the deficits. I love the quote by Carl Jung "we are not what happened to us, we are who we choose to become". This is what I think FFT is all about; helping families understand this and see their future, one that is full of hope and the ability to overcome the challenges and struggles that life can bring. FFT is not just a philosophy or modality of a treatment. It is a way of being and seeing in the world, a way of seeing the potential and nobility in anything or anyone.”
Marnie enjoys anything outdoors in the West; running, hiking, biking, and snowboarding. She also enjoys nature and Yoga.
Kim Lee O'Malley
MSW, FFT National Consultant
Kim attended SUNY Brockport, where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, and Syracuse University where she received a Master's Degree in Social Work. Kim became an FFT therapist as a member of a three person team in Syracuse, NY. Kim later joined the established FFT program at Cayuga Home for Children and was promoted to Assistant Director. Kim has experience in developing new FFT sites and working on administrative and clinical issues. Kim brings this knowledge to the teams she works with as a national consultant.
“My prior work experience includes providing group therapy to an inpatient stabilization facility with children and adolescents as well as various aspects of preventive services. I was initially drawn to FFT because the clinical structure and the phasic approach to creating family change. I continue to appreciate the strong family focus and the ability to create long lasting changes that will be supported by the entire family system.”
Jose Malave
LCSW, FFT National Consultant, FFT National Trainer, FFT National Externship Trainer
Jose Malave Jr. was born and currently resides in the borough of Bronx, New York. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of New York. Jose acquired his Bachelor of Science degree (BSW) from New York University (NYU) School of Social Work in 1998 and in 1999; he received his Master’s of Social Work (MSW) from New York University. His clinical experience has led him to work primarily in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry with experience working in a psych ER, inpatient unit, and community based outpatient clinic.
“What has drawn me to FFT as a therapist, supervisor, consultant, and trainer is the fact that FFT relies on a foundation of true respectfulness of culture and diversity. FFT relentlessly seeks to respect and understand families on their own terms with our non-judgmental, strength-based, relational approach. Being able to courageously “hang in there” with the families we work with during their troubling times and being able to help them build the strength and hope to make it through now and in the future in a short period of time makes our work so rewarding. FFT is a true family therapy model which in principle, philosophy, and practice views the family as the client.”
Kim Mason
MSW, LCSW, FFT National Supervisor, Florida Clinical Coordinator
Kim serves as the Clinical Coordinator for the Florida Redirection Project. She received her Bachelor's in Social work from Central Missouri State University and her Master's in Social Work from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida. Her work prior to coming to FFT included work with youth in crisis, residential services for girls who had been sexually abused, development of after school programs, development and facilitation of therapeutic groups for adolescent girls and hospice.
“I was drawn to FFT due to my belief that families are essential and too often left out of services for youth.”
Kim lives with her husband and two children in Northern Florida.
Jason P. Medina
MABS, LMHC, FFT National Consultant, FFT Washington State Consultant, FFTCW National Consultant
Jason has a Bachelor’s in the Psychology of Religion, a Master’s in Applied Behavioral Science and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Washington. He is the President of Medina Group Consulting, LLC, providing much of his time towards a variety of FFT projects./p>
“I was introduced to FFT via Functional Family Parole programs in Washington State. FFT provides me with a clear structure for working with challenging clients and offers services to diverse populations. It is a relief to work inside a model that strives to be as effective as possible, as quickly as possible, with as many unique family systems as possible all while using evidence-based systems of practice.”
Jason is a Marriage Consultant and officiates weddings.
Helen M. Midouhas
L.P.C, N.C.C., FFT Statewide Implementation Specialist, FFT National Trainer
Helen wears multiple hats for FFT. Her interest is in the implementation of FFT and in larger system development. She is both a Nationally Certified Counselor and a PA Licensed Professional Counselor. Her Masters is in School and Community Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to FFT she worked in roles involving administration, program implementation and clinical supervision.
“My training at Penn focused on research, outcomes and prevention. The concept of evidence-based programming was taught and discussed as a possible trend. Around 1995, there was talk of focusing mental health initiatives towards a prevention angle but little happened at the local level. It wasn’t until I was introduced to FFT through an opportunity to implement it that I saw outcomes and prevention become a reality, and this began my love affair with the model!”
Helen lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and two children, chocolate lab and assorted small pets.
Annie Niermann
MSSW, LCSW, FFT National Consultant
Annie received a Master’s of Science in Social Work from Columbia University in the City of New York and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York State. As the former Director of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) FFT Program, she oversaw the implementation of FFT Re-entry programs serving adjudicated youth returning home from institutional care in the Bronx, Manhattan and Rochester, NY communities. Annie was initially trained as an FFT therapist while working in a community-based mental health clinic serving the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. She has been a National Consultant, on both clinical and administrative levels, for a variety of FFT teams, including the New York City based Blue Sky program and other juvenile justice and child welfare initiatives.
“I am passionate about FFT due to its enduring belief in the strength of ALL families, its ability to uncover noble intention in patterns of maladaptive behavior, and in its ability to bring hope and change to those perceived as the most “treatment resistant.” I was also drawn to FFT because of its ability to positively transform systems of care. As a National Consultant, I especially enjoy helping new FFT therapists learn the model and succeed in their work.”
Lisa Otto
LCSW, FFT National Consultant
Lisa is the director of home-based services for Child and Family Agency, a non-profit social service agency in Southeastern CT. She received her Bachelor’s degree in history from Wesleyan University and her Master’s of Social Work from Bryn Mawr College and is currently an LCSW. Immediately after graduate school, she went to work for the state of Maryland as a Child Protective Service worker, a job she kept for 7 years. Although her agency worked extraordinarily hard to keep children safe, she became increasingly concerned about the long-term impact of their involvement on many of the families they encountered. While they could detail their mistakes for them, they had few tools available to help them grow stronger and safer.
“When my husband and I relocated to CT, I was offered a job in a fledgling FFT program. Although I knew very little about FFT, it seemed to hold the potential to offer hope and the possibility of new solutions to many of the same sorts of families I had worked with in MD. I was pretty overwhelmed and confused the first six months that I tried to practice FFT, but even during that time, there were a few exciting glimmers. With increasing frequency, I’d see that one of the interventions I tried resulted immediately in family members looking at each other differently, and, often for the first time in years, appreciating their family and believing that they could resolve their own problems. For me now, the magic of FFT is twofold. First, it is an incredible experience to watch a family change and grow in ways that family members never thought were possible. Second, while it is often incredibly hard work, it is also very exciting. FFT requires me to use a great deal of energy, flexibility, and creativity, which always keeps the work interesting. I enjoy the consulting work that I do for FFT both because I am completely committed to the gifts that this model can give our families and because I love helping other therapists learn the model and grow excited as they see the impact that they are having on their clients.”
Kyle Roste
LSCSW, LCSW, FFT National
Consultant
Kyle hails from Kansas City. He attended the University of Kansas where he received his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Social Work. Kyle has a part time private practice with BHS (Behavioral Health Specialists) in Overland Park Kansas, and teaches a class (Social Work With Families) in the Masters of Social Work Program at the University of Kansas. Kyle brings many years of experience to FFT consulting and has worked in the mental health field, substance abuse field, and residential facility settings.
“I started working with families in FFT on a part-time basis and experienced how effective this model was with families and realized most of the other models focused too much on individual diagnoses and problems with troubled teenagers. The family focus drew me to this model. Also the FFT measures in place to assure adherence and competency in this model was also important in my decision to continue to use and expand my knowledge in FFT. I enjoy teaching the model to different sites and being part of the transformation of successful FFT sites around the United States.”
“On a lighter side I enjoy running, golfing, and spending time with my wife and 3 children (10, 15 and 18 years of age). I often refer to my family at times when training other sites as I know first hand, the difficulties and joys of raising a teenager!”
Rachel Stone
MSW, LCSW, FFT National Consultant, FFT National Externship Trainer
Rachel works for Savio House in Denver, Colorado as an FFT Site Lead. Savio House serves families in over 15 counties in Colorado. Her educational background is in Social Work from the University of Denver. Prior to her work with FFT, she worked with the Multi-Systemic Therapy Model (MST).
“Initially, I was drawn to the FFT model for its relational, and strength-based focus. However, it’s now the genuine change that happens with both the families and therapists that keeps me engaged AND motivated! I credit the model to my brain growing and becoming more creative!”
Martha Ann Salt
M. Ed., FFT National Consultant, Washington State Consultant
Martha Ann Salt works as both a Functional Family Therapist and FFT National and Washington State consultant. She sees families referred through juvenile justice, schools and children’s welfare. Her M.Ed. is from Seattle University and she is a registered counselor in the State of Washington.
“My passion is for working with groups and developing their capabilities, so, family therapy and site consultation are natural draws for me. I love doing FFT because it is effective, creative, and, gosh darn, families and sites like it.”
“In my non-FFT life, I hang out with a Corgi named Fairweather at my home in Tacoma, Washington. I also love living life off the beaten path, so I wander as often as I can in the less developed parts of the world. The picture attached to this bio was taken this year at a fortress in Turkey overlooking the spot where the Bosporus joins the Black Sea. My earlier life has included training, sexuality education, and parenting – I like the more challenging occupations!”
