Submitted By:
Mary Kane LMFT
Membership Chair
In this issue, NJAMFT is pleased to present NJAMFT Northern
chapter member Dr. Ben Beitin for our Member Profile section.
Ben Beitin Ph.D., L.M.F.T., is currently Associate Professor of Marriage and Family
Therapy at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. He also provides
therapy to couples and families in his private practice in Florham
Park, New Jersey. He developed a professional interest in couples
and families while completing a family therapy course as a part of
his undergraduate degree from Fordham University. The exposure
was his main impetus for seeking out advanced training in the form
of a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fairfield
University. During that period, colleagues in the mental health field
questioned his decision to concentrate on a specific area of therapy.
Ben spent time examining the benefits of family therapy training,
but discovered he was in the right place while working on an
internship at a substance abuse facility that integrated family
Dr. Ben Beitin,
Ph.D, LMFT
therapy into their treatment model. He was certain that the most
lasting change required families in the treatment process, as well
as a therapist who recognized an avenue of change in his or her therapeutic
relationship with a family.
Ben went on to complete his doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy at Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University. He expanded his knowledge and skills in
a curriculum that emphasized a comprehensive understanding of individual and
family development. He connected with a local family agency in Virginia that was
implementing a nationally recognized prevention program titled "Strengthening
Families". As a part of this effort, he coached families about parenting and coping
skills and struggling under poverty and at risk for serious family problems. During
his doctoral internship, Ben continued to help families in the early stages of their
family life cycle by providing therapy to teenagers, struggling with substance
abuse, and their families.
In 2003, he finished his Ph.D. and accepted a position of assistant professor of
marriage and family therapy at Seton Hall University. Ben is currently program
director and is guided by a philosophy that emphasizes helping trainees to witness
the lasting change that comes from inviting families into treatment and he believes
this development is important as learning the skills of the work. Ben is in private
practice in Florham Park and works with couples and families from an experiential
and interpersonal framework. He also obtained his AAMFT Approved Supervisor
designation in 2007. He sees the many challenges for MFTs in New Jersey and
hopes his contribution can come through student clinical training and his own
practice.
Dr. Beitin is well known within our membership as a scholar of systemic thinking
and demonstrates his loyalty to our profession both in his teaching at Seton Hall
and from his many presentations around the state. According to his bio on Seton
Hall's website, the following is of particular interest: "Dr. Beitin's primary research
interest is in understanding immigrant families, particularly Arab Americans. He has
particular interest in the effects of the post 9/11/01 period on Arab American
families. He is also focused on diversity and social justice issues in relation to
families. He has published and presented nationally on stress and resilience in Arab
American families." We MFTs in New Jersey are fortunate to be able to count Ben
amongst the leaders in marriage and family therapy in our state and our
association.