Doctoral candidate studies in Canada under Fulbright Program

Christine Helfrich, a Fulbright scholar and Florida State University doctoral candidate, realized her passion for family therapy in 2008 after reading a thought-provoking publication by psychologist Peter Fraenkel.

In the article "Whatever Happened to Family Therapy," Fraenkel presents a modern perspective on therapy while acknowledging the functional role an individual's relationships play in the process. He theorizes that if therapy is pursued beyond the individual client and involves his or her environment and family systems — with the aim of modifying behavior-altering dynamics — a patient's problems could be resolved more easily.

"The article opened my eyes," said Helfrich, who came across Fraenkel's work after she earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Clemson University. "It helped me understand that problems existed between people, not only within them."

Following her epiphany, Helfrich went on to pursue her master's degree in human development and family studies at Colorado State University, graduating in 2010.

The pinnacle of Helfrich's academic career came when she entered Florida State's nationally accredited doctoral program in marriage and family therapy. Now in her fourth year in the Department of Family and Child Sciences, Helfrich has been able to explore opportunities beyond academics through the program.