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Family Systems Theory

Enroll in the Online Self-Study course and complete it at your own pace.
6 CE hours available for behavioral health clinicians upon completion.

What if your client’s most persistent symptoms aren’t just individual struggles—but reflections of invisible patterns holding their entire family system in place? When we treat people in isolation, we risk missing the deeply rooted dynamics that shape identity, behavior, and relational pain. Family systems theory helps you see what’s really happening—and how to create change that lasts.

Even seasoned professionals can feel stuck when treating entrenched relational issues. This course offers fresh insight and practical strategies grounded in well-established theory and backed by decades of clinical application, helping you reframe client challenges systemically and intervene with confidence.

Enroll in the 6 CE Online Self-Study for $180

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Dr. Katherine Hertlein, PhD, is a widely respected systems therapist and professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. With over 90 peer-reviewed articles, 40 book chapters, and 12 books, her work on couple therapy, technology, and sexual health is considered foundational. Her teaching equips clinicians with theory-to-practice skills grounded in real-world application.

Dr. Hertlein’s approach invites critical thinking while staying clinically grounded. She bridges foundational theory with advanced, culturally attuned strategies, guiding learners to integrate classic models, sociocultural awareness, and systemic techniques into daily practice.

In this 6-hour online self-study course, you'll explore systemic thinking, communication patterns, feedback loops, cybernetics, structural and strategic family therapy, and sociocultural influences on family systems. You'll also examine critiques of family systems theory, including feminist and postmodern perspectives, and learn to apply systemic assessments and treatment planning strategies using evidence-based frameworks and clinical tools.

Dr. Katherine Hertlein Headshot

Instructor

Dr. Hertlein earned her PhD at Virginia Tech and her master's degree from Purdue University Calumet. Across her academic career, she has published over 90 articles, 40 book chapters, and 12 books in the areas of couple therapy, infidelity, sex therapy, behavioral health, and the impact of technology on couple and and family relationships. Her contributions in sex therapy promote a paradigm shift in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions in couple relationships, are considered seminal texts, and used by couple and family therapy programs widely. Her contributions in the area of technology include the development of the core competencies for behavioral health which can be applied to all of the behavioral health disciplines, and the creation of the first comprehensive framework detailing the effect of technology on relationships which has been applied cross-culturally.

You can reach Dr. Hertlein here.

Key Takeaways:

  • Systemic Clinical Strategies: Apply family systems theory principles to better understand and intervene in relational problems.

  • Cultural and Contextual Awareness: Assess client issues within broader sociocultural and intergenerational systems.

  • Critical Evaluation Skills: Examine both the strengths and critiques of family systems theory to refine your clinical reasoning.

Why This Course?

  • Learn from a Leading Expert: Dr. Hertlein is a prolific scholar and clinician whose work has transformed how professionals understand relationships and systemic treatment.

  • Evidence-Based, Practical Focus: This isn’t just theory—this course delivers tools you can use in your sessions right away.

  • Trusted CE Provider: Telehealth Certification Institute is committed to providing excellence in continuing education that supports your growth and improves client care.

Learning Objectives:

  • Define concepts and principles of family systems theory and their clinical application.

  • Summarize historical and contemporary developments pertaining to family systems theories.

  • Apply critical thinking principles in the evaluation of family systems theory and its critiques.

  • Assess couple/marital and family issues and therapeutic processes systemically.

Whether you're new to family systems thinking or want to reinvigorate your approach with fresh perspectives and strategies, this course offers a practical roadmap for elevating your work with individuals, couples, and families.

Enroll today and expand your systemic lens to create lasting therapeutic impact.

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 6 hours of video instruction and a post-test.

Enroll in the 6 CE Online Self-Study for $180

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Availability: From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to attend: Directions for completing a course can be found by clicking here.

This program was recorded on July 7, 2023.

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