Dr. Kristen E. Benson, program director of the marriage and family therapy graduate program and associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling, received the Training Award from the North Carolina Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (NCAMFT) at the NCAMFT Annual Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, on March 18.
This award is given to an NCAMFT member who has made outstanding contributions to the education and training of marriage and family therapists in an academic or non-academic setting (graduate training, continuing education, supervision, etc).
“I am humbled to be honored with this recognition at a time when clinical practice and education are in constant flux, and we are addressing inequities that have plagued our field and society throughout history.”
“I am humbled to be honored with this recognition at a time when clinical practice and education are in constant flux, and we are addressing inequities that have plagued our field and society throughout history,” said Benson. “This is uncomfortable work, and I am grateful to students and colleagues who have been in it and allow me to be in it with them, as we work to support clients and communities.”
Dr. Kristen Benson (left) receives her NCAMFT Training Award. Photo submitted.
Benson is a licensed marriage and family therapist and an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy approved supervisor. She earned her Ph.D. in human development from Virginia Tech with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy, her M.A. in marriage and family therapy from Appalachian State University, and her B.S. in family and child studies from Florida State University.
Her research, clinical work, and teaching centers on systemic inequality, social justice, and inclusion, with a focus on providing ethical and inclusive therapy to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) people and relationships. She is committed to exploration and training about the relationships between systemic injustices and ethical therapeutic practice.
Kristen Benson
