Christie Eppler, PhD, LMFT

Christie Eppler, PhD, LMFT 鈥� Faculty ; Professor, Psychology ; Couples and Family Therapy Program , College of Humanities, Education & Social Sciences ; Areas of Expertise: Systemic Resilience | Narrative Therapy .

Faculty

Professor, Psychology
AAMFT Approved Supervisor
AAMFT Clinical Fellow

Faculty & Staff Directory
Christie Eppler, PhD, LMFT

Christie Eppler is a professor of Couples and Family Therapy, AAMFT Approved Supervisor and Licensed therapist. Her research areas include systemic resilience and narrative therapy.

Biography

Teaching & Supervision

My teaching style combines didactic lectures and cooperative learning approaches. Collaborative learning de-emphasizes a competitive classroom atmosphere, instead increasing team learning and support. My classes and supervision groups prioritize a growth mindset and deliberate practice. I use a strength-based, narrative model while supporting students to find their own voices. I teach Professional Identity and Ethics, Systemic Development, Clinical II, and Clinical III.

Research & Clinical Interests

Systemic Resilience
Equity and Justice in Systemic Therapy
Narrative Therapy

Self-Care

I am a certified yoga instructor. I love hiking with my pup Mossy where the forest meets the sea.

Education

PhD, Family and Child Ecology, Emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy, Michigan State University
MA, Marriage and Family Therapy, Michigan State University
MA, Counseling and Guidance, Emphasis: Marriage & Family Therapy, University of Missouri, Kansas City

Publications

Books

Eppler, C., Georgiadou, S., & Rajaei, A. (in press). Ethics in systemic therapy: A practical guide for marriage and family therapy students. Routledge.
Eppler, C. (Ed.). (2025). Cultivating systemic resilience: Applications and interventions for families, relationships, and individuals. Routledge.
Nice, L., & Eppler, C. (Eds.). (2023). Social justice and systemic family therapy training. Springer.
Sink, C. A., Edwards, C. N., & Eppler, C. (2011). School-based group counseling – Foundations and best practice. Cengage.

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

Bangera, N. B., & Eppler, C. (2026). How does providing telehealth alter the delivery of in-person therapy? Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.
Currier, J. M., Oxhandler, H. K., Park, D. Y., Williams-Reade, J., Fox, J., Harris, J. A., Eppler, C., Peteet, J. R., Husain, A., Vieten, C., Pearce, M., Canda, E. R., Lu, F. G., Hammer, M. Y., Jangha, A., Bangera, N. R., Fung, W. L. A., Polson, C. C., & Pargament, K. I. (2026). Identifying competencies for addressing spirituality and religion in mental health care: A multi-disciplinary review and synthesis. Psychotherapy. Advance online publication.
Georgiadou, S., Adams, R. R., Burke, J., & Eppler, C. (2026). Using generative artificial intelligence in systemic therapy training. International Journal of Systemic Therapy, 1 – 14.
Eppler, C., Vander Schurr, D. M., & Correa, N. (2022). COVID-19 and clinical training: Diverse interns’ perspectives and collaborative recommendations. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 34 (3-4), 370-389.
Eppler, C., Cobb, R. A., Bien, S., & Wright, T. (2021). Integrating Buddhist-informed interventions into narrative family therapy. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 40 (3), 67-81.
Eppler, C., Cobb, R. A., Bien, S., & Wright, T. (2021). Epistemological intersections of Buddhism and narrative family therapy. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 40 (2), 80-92.
Eppler, C. (2021). Systemic teletherapists' meaningful experiences during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47, 244-258.
Quek, K., Hsieh, N., & Eppler, C. (2021). Collectivist discourses in relational intersectionality: Insights from Chinese American Christian couples. Journal of Family Issues. 42(11), 2487–2508.
Eppler C., & Hutchings, J. (2020). The use of cinematherapy to illustrate systemic resilience. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(8), 1–9.
Eppler, C., Cobb, R. A., & Wilson, E. E. (2019). Multifaith perspectives on family therapy models. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 31 (1-2), 1-35.
Eppler, C. (2018). Women’s perceptions of using short films to integrate spirituality in therapy, Journal of Systemic Therapies, 37, 68-80.
Quek, K. M-T., Eppler, C., & Morgan, M. (2016). Teaching gender in family therapy education: Reflection of cis-female students’ learning. Journal of Family Therapy, 38, 443-462.
Quek, K. M-T., Eppler, C., & Morgan, M. (2014). Qualitative study on cis-male students’ gender perspectives in the couple and family therapy classroom. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 26, 199-217.
Fackina, P., & Eppler, C. (2012). Exploration of perceived stressors, communication, and resilience in law-enforcement couples. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 23, 20-41.
Miller, J. K., Todahl, J., Platt, J., Lambert-Shute, J., & Eppler, C. (2010). Internships for future faculty: Meeting the career goals of the next generation of educators in marriage and family therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 36, 71-79.
Eppler, C., & Weir, S. (2009). Family assessment in K-12 settings: Understanding family systems to provide effective, collaborative services. Psychology in the Schools, 46, 501-514.
Eppler, C., Olsen, J. A., & Hidano, L. (2009). Using stories in school counseling: Brief, narrative intervention. Professional School Counseling, 12, 387-391.
Eppler, C. (2008). Exploring themes of resiliency in children after the death of a parent. Professional School Counseling, 11, 189-196.
Eppler, C., & Carolan, M.T. (2006). Biblionarrative: A narrative technique uniting oral and written life-stories. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 16, 31-43.
Eppler, C., & Walker, E.K. (2004). Electronic ecology: An ecosystemic exploration of sisters communicating via E-Mail. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 16, 19-37.
Eppler, C. (2004). Hearing the caged bird sing. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 15, 89-92.
Eppler, C., & Latty, C. (2002). Using movie clips to facilitate discussion in the post-divorce family. Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments & Handouts, 2, 31-37.
Eppler, C., & Latty, C. (2001). Filial therapy with co-therapists. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 12, 89-96.
Lee, R. E., Eppler, C., Kendal, N., & Latty, C. (2001). Critical incidents in the professional lives of first year MFT students. Contemporary Family Therapy, 23, 51-61.

Book Chapters

Hicks, Ashley A., & Eppler C. (accepted). Centering relational grounding and embodiment in conflict management for the digital age. In Pathak, Y. & Karimi, H. (Eds.), Navigating Conflict Management in the Digital Age: Leveraging Soft Skills to Embrace Cultural Shifts and Generational Dynamics. De Gruyter Brill.
Joshi, K. S., & Eppler, C. (2026). Virtual conjoint family drawing. In Cobb, R. A. (Ed.), The Therapist’s Notebook for Systemic Teletherapy with Children and Adolescents: Creative Interventions for Effective Online Therapy. Routledge.
Eppler, C., & Cobb, R. A. (2025). Outlander: Threads of resilience. In Kelly, L., MacMillan, G., & Maley, W. (Eds.), Outlander and Scotland: Touchstones and Signposts. Luath Press.
Eppler, C., Cobb, R. A., & Bermudez, J. M. (2024). Virtual altar making for grief and loss. In Cobb, R. A. (Ed.), The Therapist’s Notebook for Systemic Teletherapy: Creative Interventions for Effective Online Therapy. Routledge.
Eppler, C. (2024). Introduction to Cultivating Systemic Resilience in Therapy. In C. Eppler (Ed.), Cultivating systemic resilience in therapy: Applications and interventions for families, relationships, and individuals. Routledge.
Cobb, R. A., & Eppler, C. (2024). Beyond Self-Care: Intentional Practices of Resilient Therapists. In C. Eppler (Ed.), Cultivating systemic resilience in therapy: Applications and interventions for families, relationships, and individuals. Routledge.
Prescott, A., Eppler, C., & Rodriguez, J. (2024). Intersections of Systemic Resilience and Spirituality in First Nation Narratives. In C. Eppler (Ed.), Cultivating systemic resilience in therapy: Applications and interventions for families, relationships, and individuals. Routledge.
Eppler, C. (2021). Dismantling whiteness to direct a just couples and family therapy program: Experiences of a white program director. In K. M-T. Quek & A. L. Hsieh (Eds.), Intersectionality in family therapy leadership: Professional power, personal identities. (pp. 81-92). Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-67977-4
Eppler, C. (2019). Ecosystem in family systems theory. In J. L. Lebow, A. L. Chambers, & D. C. Breunlin (Eds.), Encyclopedia of couple and family therapy (pp. 828–832). Springer International Publishing.
Eppler, C., & Latty, C. (2007). Using movie clips to facilitate discussion in the post-divorce family. In L. Hecker & C. Sorti (Eds.). The Therapist's Notebook II: Homework, Handouts & Activities for Use in Psychotherapy. The Haworth Press.

Invited Works

Eppler, C. (2018). The resilient family therapist. Family Therapy Magazine. American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Fackler, M., Eppler C., Hyun, J., & Gritter, K. (2018). Still looking for Alaska: Exploring female development after trauma. The ALAN Review, V(issue). Right to Read Column.
Sink, C. A., & Eppler, C. (2007). Review of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence for Early Childhood (5th ed.). In R. A. Spies & B. S. Plake (Eds.), The 17th Mental Measurements Yearbook. Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.
Igelman, C., & Eppler, C. (2003). School counselors working to promote cultural awareness. CSJ Activist, 4, 3.
Eppler, C., & Kendal, N. (2001). Dividing the emotional house: The psychological power of money and other “stuff.” Michigan Family Law Journal, Special Edition, 64-66.
Villarruel, F.A., Carolan, M., Youatt, J.P., Onaga, E., Griffore, R.J., Carter, S., Eppler, C., Griffin, A., Hahn, A. H., Lumpkin, C., Rivera Vazquez, O., Faiver, R.T., Jones, L., Campbell, L., & Kostelnik, M.J. (2001). The 32nd annual national council on family relations award media competition. Family Relations, 50, 99 - 108.
Villarruel, F.A., Faiver, R.T., Onaga, E, Youatt, J.P., Eppler, C., Carter, S, Carolan, M., Griffore, R.J., Morrison, K., Kostelnik, M.J., & Jones, L (2000). Literature and resource review essay: Thirty-first annual national council on family relations media awards competition. Family Relations, 49, 107-114.

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