While many spent their summer unwinding, DeAnna Harris-McKoy, associate professor in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences and director of the Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy program, spent part of hers halfway across the world.
In July, Harris-McKoy represented NIU at the inaugural Global Systemic Therapy Summit, held in
Nairobi, Kenya. The event, hosted by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), brought together seasoned and emerging leaders from around the globe to explore innovations in systemic family therapy. Harris-McKoy was a part of a small group of professionals invited to submit a proposal for the inaugural conference.
“It was amazing to hear from marriage and family therapists, professors and students in Kenya about the systemic work they are doing,” Harris-McKoy said. “Presenters discussed local and national problems and placed them in a global context.”
Harris-McKoy said that Kenyan therapists and therapists in training discussed how they adapted the classical and evidence-based marriage and family therapy models to fit their cultural context.
“They are developing new theoretical models that better fit their cultural context,” she said. “My workshop seemed to resonate with a lot of people. Participants in the workshop said the information was relevant and timely and is exactly what they needed.”
At the summit, McKoy led a workshop titled “Having a Purpose-Driven Career” and presented a research poster discussion, “Not Gon’ Cry: Trauma and Depression in Black Women.” Both sessions drew interest from attendees eager to explore culturally responsive approaches to therapy and professional growth. For McKoy, the experience was more than just an opportunity to share her work—it was a chance to connect with a community of practitioners deeply committed to systemic healing.
“During my 18 years of membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, I have been active at the local and national levels,” she said. “I would not miss the opportunity for an inaugural event by the organization, especially one that occurred on the continent.”
She added that events like this can improve her teaching by placing the course material in a global context.
“I hope hearing about the summit helps students realize that they can be marriage and family therapists—systemic therapists—almost anywhere,” Harris-McKoy said.
Her participation underscores NIU’s commitment to fostering globally minded scholars and practitioners. Harris-McKoy’s work in Nairobi reflects how the systemic therapy field continues to evolve—bridging cultures, sharing knowledge, and expanding opportunities for both students and professionals.
Learn more about the SMFT program at NIU.
