Patricia L. Papernow, Edd
Psychologist
6 Westridge Rd, Hudson, MA 01749
978/568-0025 • ppapernow@gmail.com
Education
Boston University School of Education
- EdD, Counseling Psychology, 1980
- Certificate in Adult Education, 1975
Harvard University
- BA, magna cum laude, l969
Post-graduate Clinical Training
- Training in : Trauma, couple and family therapy, interpersonal neurobiology, addictions, learning disabilities
- Internal Family Systems: Level 1, Level 2; IFS Couple Therapy; Assistant for Levels I, II, Advanced IFS Couple Therapy
- EMDR: Level I, Level II
- Gestalt therapy: Diplomate, Gestalt Institute of Cleveland (individual, couple, family, and group therapy)
Awards
American Psychological Association Division 43: Outstanding Contribution to Family Psychology
National Institute of Mental Health: Community Training Resources cited as Exemplary Program
Boston University,: Practitioner-Teacher Award for Outstanding Applied Scholarship,
Professional Experience
Psychologist in Private Practice (1981 to present)
- Individual and couple therapy
- Clinical supervision and consultation (individual and group)
Director, Institute for Stepfamily Education (2010 to present)
- Evidence-based guidance and practical information for stepfamily members and for those who love them.
- Training, supervision, and consultation for clinicians working with stepfamilies.
- Training for professionals on the front line with stepfamilies: Clergy, lawyers and judges, pediatricians, PCPs, nurse practitioners, elder care workers, day care providers, etc.
Instructor in Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (2010 to 2015)
- Supervision, teaching, and consultation in a multi-disciplinary community mental health center for social workers, psychiatry fellows, and psychology post-docs
Director, Charles River Gestalt Center (1981 to l987)
- General adult clinical practice. Individual, couple, and group psychotherapy.
- Specialties in trauma, couple therapy, stepfamily relationships, and post-divorce parenting.
- Training and consultation groups for public sector managers, agency directors, nurse managers.
Staff Psychologist, Associates for Creative Therapy (1978 to 1980)
- Therapy with individuals, couples, and groups.
- Consultation, training, and supervision for managers in public and private sector organizations.
Director, Community Training Resources, Cambridge-Somerville Mental Health Center (1973-1977)
- Created, funded and managed a preventive mental health and education program. Developed and taught a model for selecting and training mental health professionals to be community health educators
- Trained and supervised faculty in skill-oriented teaching methods for teachers, nurses, elder care workers, and others in a position to provide preventive mental health intervention.
Faculty Member, Community Training Resources (1973 to l982)
- Designed and taught: Coping with Stress, Conflict Management, Supervision Skills, Training for Trainers and other skills to nurses, teachers, day care workers, clergy, elder care providers, guidance counselors and other community caregivers.
Director of Training, The Sanctuary (1971-1983)
- Developed the preventive education and training arm of a program for troubled adolescents.
- Consultation to public and private schools, police, hospitals, and youth programs.
- Designed and taught courses for adolescents and for the adults involved with them re: Drugs and alcohol, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, dealing with stress.
Professional Publications
Couple instability: Fragile families, stepfamilies, families with a child on the autism spectrum, and multiracial families (clinical applications). In S. Browning & B. van Eeden-Moorefield (Eds.), Treating contemporary families: Toward a more inclusive clinical practice. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association (2022).
Therapy with couples in stepfamilies. In J. Lebow and D. Snyder (Eds.), Clinical handbook of couple therapy, sixth edition. New York: Guilford (2022).
Werken met samengestelde gezinnen. Mythes, valkuilen, tips en interventies.(B. Lavrysen & P. Rober, Trans.). Brussels, Belgium: Pelckmans Kalmhout. [Dutch translation of Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships] (2022).
Helping queer stepfamilies meet their challenges. In M. Murphy & R. Harvey (Eds.). Handbook of LGBTQ-affirmative couple and family therapy (2nd edition). New York: Routledge (2021).
Ask the experts: A baker’s dozen tips for parenting, stepparenting, and discipline in stepfamilies. Association of Family and Conciliation Courts eNews, 14(6) (2019). https://files.constantcontact.com/6beb60a3701/c490079a-389a-4be9-8615-d7ba77b9fbe2.pdf
Clinical guidelines for working with stepfamilies: What individual, couple, child, and family therapists need to know. Family Process, 57(1), 25-51. DOI: 10.1111/famp.12321 (2018)
Recoupling in mid-life and beyond: From love at last to not so fast. Family Process, 57(1), 52-69. DOI: 10.1111/famp.12315 (2018)
Blended families. In J. Lebow, A.L. Chambers, & D.C. Breunlin, (Eds.). Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. New York: Springer (2018).
Therapy with stepfamilies. In S. Browning & M. Accordini (Eds.). Famiglie ricomposte: approcci clinici ed evidenze diricerca (Stepfamilies:Clinical approaches and research evidence. Monica Accordini, Trans.). Milan, Italy: FrancoAngeli (2017).
Blended families. In J. Lebow, A.L. Chambers, & D.C. Breunlin (Eds). Encyclopedia of couple and family therapy. New York: Springer (2018).
Therapy with stepfamilies. In S. Browning & M. Accordini (Eds.). Famiglie ricomposte: approcci clinici ed evidenze diricerca (Stepfamilies:Clinical approaches and research evidence. Monica Accordini, Trans.). Milan, Italy: Franco Angeli (2017).
The remarriage triangle: Working with later-life recouplers and their grown children. Psychotherapy Networker, January/February, 2016, pp. 49-53.
How to manage the biggest threat to happiness for remarried boomers: Helping partners deal with the corrosive power of stepfamilies. Psychotherapy Networker Week in Review, July 11, 2016.
Suteppufamuli tokuyuu no rinshoute kikadai: Rinshouka ga shitteokubekikoto [The unique clinical issues of stepfamilies: What therapists need to know] ( M. Onishi, Trans.). Kazokuryouhou kenkyu [Japanese Journal of Family Therapy] (2016).
Uncoupling and recoupling over 50 in The Dilemmas of DivorceSeries, Networker Symposium Webcast http://dilemmasofdivorce.kajabi.com/sp/38213-sales-page (2015).
Soft/hard/soft communication. In G.R. Weeks, S.T. Fife, & C.M. Peterson (Eds.), Techniques for the couple therapist: Essential interventions from the experts. New York: Routledge (2016).
Empathic joining. In G.R. Weeks, S.T. Fife, & C.M. Peterson (Eds.) Techniques for the couple therapist: Essential interventions from the experts. New York: Routledge (2016).
Therapy with couples in stepfamilies. In A. Gurman, J. Lebow and D. Snyder (Eds.), Clinical handbook of couple therapy, fifth edition (pp. 467-488). New York: Guilford (2015).
Introduction to the Japanese translation: What is similar and what is different about Japanese stepfamilies? In Surviving and thriving in stepfamily relationships: What works and what doesn’t. S. Nakamura, M. Ohnishi, & Y. Yoshikawa (Translators). Tokyo: Kongo Shuppan, (pp. iii-ix) (2015).
Suteppu famiri wo ikani iki, hagukumuka: Umakuikukoto ikanaikoto. [Surviving and thriving in stepfamily relationships: What works and what doesn’t.] (S. Nakamura, M. Ohnishi, & Y. Yoshikawa, Trans.) Tokyo: Kongo Shuppan (2015).
Providing evidence-based help to stepfamilies. Brown UniversityChild and Adolescent Behavior Letter. March, 2014, 30(3), ISSN 1058-1073. Online ISSN 1556-7575 Wiley.
Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships: What Works and What Doesn’t. NY: Routledge (2013). Translated into Russian, Japanese, and soon Dutch.
Meeting the 5 challenges of becoming a stepfamily. On-Line Clinical Training Module 3. National Stepfamily Resource Center: http://www.stepfamilies.info/training/view.php?mod=3
Helping children in stepfamilies to thrive. On-Line Clinical Training Module 8. National Stepfamily Resource Center: http://www.stepfamilies.info/training/view.php?mod=8
A clinician’s view of “stepfamily architecture”: Strategies for meeting the challenges. In J. Pryor (Ed.), International handbook of stepfamily research and practice (pp. 423-454). NJ: Wiley (2008).
Therapy with stepfamilies. In Clinical updates for family therapists: Research and treatment approaches for issues affecting today’s families, volume 3 (pp. 107-121). Alexandria, VA: AAMFT (2008).
Clinical update: Therapy for people who live in stepfamilies. Family Therapy Magazine,5(3), 2006, 34- 42.
Post-divorce parenting: A baker’s dozen of suggestions for protecting children. Family Mediation Quarterly, 1(2), 2002.
What’s going on here? Separating (and weaving together) step and clinical issues in remarried families. In D.K. Huntley (Ed.), Understanding stepfamilies: Assessment and treatment, 1995.
Gestalt therapy with remarried couples. In P. Backman and G. Wheeler (Eds.), On intimate ground: A gestalt approach to working with couples. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1994.
La Therapie gestaltiste avec des families reconstituees. Gestalt: Revue de la Societe Francaise de Gestalt. Families en Gestalt-therapie, numero 4, Automne, 1993.
Becoming a stepfamily: Patterns of development in remarried families. Taylor and Francis, 1993. (Winner, Nevis Award for Best Book of 1993).
From Outsider to Intimate: Stepparent Role Development. In W. Beer (Ed.), Relative strangers: Studies of stepfamily processes. Rowman Littlefield, 1988.
Thickening the “middle ground”: Dilemmas and vulnerabilities in remarried couples. Psychotherapy, 24 (3S), 630-639, 1987.
The Stepfamily Cycle: An experiential model of stepfamily development. Family Relations, 33(3), l984.
Supervision skills manual. Self-published 75 page book of handouts for trainees.
Methods of measuring citizen board accomplishment in mental health and retardation. With W. Meyers, et al. Community Mental Health Journal 8 (4), l972.
Popular Publications
Papernow, P.L. (2019). Ask the experts: A baker’s dozen tips for parenting, stepparenting, and discipline in stepfamilies. Association of Family and Conciliation Courts eNews, 14(6). https://files.constantcontact.com/6beb60a3701/c490079a-389a-4be9-8615-d7ba77b9fbe2.pdf
With Karen Bonnell, co-author.: The Stepfamily Handbook: From Dating, to Getting Serious, to Forming a “Blended Family.” CMC Press. Seattle, WA., 2019.
Forward to D.I. Fromme, Stepparenting the grieving child: Cultivating past and present connections with children who have lost a parent. Castle Rock, CO: Merry Dissonance Press (2017).Merry Dissonance Press (2017).
Living in a stepfamily: Understanding and meeting the challenges. In Introduction to stepfamilies. S. Nozawa (Ed.), Tokyo: Kongo Publishing, 2015.
Helping stepfamilies grow: Four primary principles. Stepfamilies, Spring, l992.
Conflict and loyalty binds: Helping children thrive in stepfamilies. Stepfamily Bulletin, l989, pp. 13-15.
Children in stepfamilies: What do we know? Stepfamily Bulletin (Spring, 1989).
Stepping into parenting someone else’s children. In Making remarriage work. J. Belovitch, (Ed.), Lexington Books, 1987.
Making shared custody work well. Remarriage, 2(3), l985.
What we’ve learned about reading and writing: A primer on learning disabilities for parents and educators. Newton Public Schools, 1995.
Public Education: Media Interviews and Stempfamily Relationships
Television appearances: NHK (Japanese National Television), Katie Couric Show, ABC (PrimeTime Live,
ABC Good Morning America), NBC (The Today Show), WCVB Channel 5 (Chronicle, Family Works, 6 O’clock News), WBZ Channel 4 (People Are Talking, Live on Four).
Radio interviews (selected): WHYY Philadelphia (Voices in the Family, Radio Times), Mom Enough Radio Show, WMPG Portland (Safe Space Radio), CJOB Winnipeg, KBCO Denver, WATR Connecticut, WNEW Washington D.C., WFSK Nashville, Voice America Internet Radio (Family Matters)
Print interviews (selected): The Boston Globe, New York Times, The Financial Times, Christian Science Monitor; Newsweek, Washington Post, L.A. Times, Child Magazine Redbook, Family Circle, Boston Herald, Self, Ladies Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, Parents Magazine, Stepmom Magazine
Guest Blogs
GoodTherapy.org: Avoiding (all too easy) wrong turns in stepfamilies.
The Family Dinner Table Project: Steps to ease dinner table stress for stepfamilie
- Helping stepkids to thrive
- Parenting and discipline in stepfamilies
- Meeting the challenge of becoming a parenting team
- Insiders and outsiders
- From enemies to intimates
- Holidays in “blended Families”– Making ties that bind, not ties that break
- The Good Men Project
Parenting and Stepparenting in a “Blended Family”: Tips for recoupling dads
Balancing Partners and Kids: Tips for Recoupling Dads
ABC News: 20 steps for building better stepfamily
Two Kids and a Coupon: Six Parenting tips for the holidays in stepfamilies
Bridal Guide Magazine: Smart advice for stepmoms
Your Teen Magazine: Holiday tips for blended families
Professional Presentations to Clinicians and Stepfamily Relathionsips
IMECOT International Conference on Couple Therapy in Turin, Italy; Denmark Center for Family Development; American Family and Conciliation Courts of California; Association of Professional Family Mediators; Ackerman Institute for the Family; Japan Association of Family Therapists (keynote speaker); Brigham Young University School of Social Work; Persatan Pemudi Islam of Singapore (keynote speaker); Stepfamily Association of Japan; Japan Society of Family Sociologists; MacNamee Memorial Conference, Hanover, Medical School Treating Couples Conference; Harvard Medical School Child Psychotherapy Conference; Psychotherapy Networker Symposium (2010-2016); MA Chapter, National Association of Social Workers; University of New Hampshire School of Social Work; Therapy Training Boston; NESTTD (New England Society for Trauma and Dissociation); Brattleboro Retreat Center; American Family Therapy Academy (2010-2015); Georgia Chapter, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (plenary speaker); Boston University School of Social Work; AZ Chapter, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (plenary speaker); Internal Family Systems National Conferences (2009-2015); National Stepfamily Resource Center Professional Trainings (2004-present); Massachusetts Council of Family Mediators; Boston University School of Theology; Gestalt International Study Center Family Therapy Program (1981-1999); Newton-Wellesley Hospital; Mount Auburn Hospital; Brandeis University; Eliot Community Mental Health Center; Stepfamily Association of America (keynote speaker); Wellesley Human Relations Service; Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire; Lesley College; American Orthopsychiatric Association; Massachusetts Psychological Association; American Psychological Association; Jewish Family Services of North Jersey; AMCAL Family Services of Quebec, Canada; Central Connecticut State University; Burlington Community Mental Health Center.
Other Professional Presetations
Supervision Skills
Massachusetts Association of Nutrition Programs, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, New England Training Council, Mystic Valley Elder Home Care, Piedmont Peace Project, Minuteman Elder Home Care, Greater Lynn Mental Health Association, Order of Nurses of Quebec, Mass. Dept. of Citizen Participation, Digital Equipment Corporation, Somerville Hospital, Cambridge Hospital, Hospice Care Directors of Massachusetts.
Training for Trainers
National Organization of Transplant Coordinators, Child Care Resource Center, Lindeman Mental Health Center, Harvard Law School, Boston University Health Planning Center, Peninsula Mental Health Center, Conference for Young Women in the Juvenile Justice System, Cambridge-Somerville Alcohol Education Program, Cambridge Economic Opportunity Center.
Understanding Learning Disabilities
Newton Public Schools Parent Advisory Board for Special Education Administrative Council, City of Newton Board of Education Cabot School Parents, Newton Public Schools.
Boards and Memberships and Reviewing
Editorial Board, Journal of Couple and Family Therapy. Reviewer for: Family Relations, Family Process, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, Journal of Family Issues, Marriage and Family Review, Asia Pacific Viewpoint, Sociological Forum. National Stepfamily Resource Center: Lead Trainer; Member, NSRC Experts Council. New England Society for the Treatment of Trauma and Dissociation: Past Board Member, Secretary. Stepfamily Association of America: Past Board Member, Research Chair. Newton Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities: Past Chair. Member: American Family Therapy Academy, American Psychological Association, Massachusetts Psychological Association, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.