Expert on Strengthening Stepfamilies to Lecture at Pitt May 8 and 9

PITTSBURGH-Statistics show that one in three Americans is now a stepparent, a stepchild, a stepsibling, or some other member of a stepfamily. And the "old rules" for governing traditional families don't necessarily apply.

Marriage and family therapist Elizabeth Einstein, one of the country's leading authors and educators on stepfamilies, will deliver a lecture titled "The Stepfamily Journey: Not for Wimps" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 8 in 2017 Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Ave., Oakland. Admission is $10; couples in blended families are encouraged to attend.

In a presentation sponsored by Pitt's School of Social Work, Einstein will explore the challenges and rewards of stepfamily living and offer guidance in dealing effectively with stepfamily issues.

On May 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Einstein will conduct a workshop for professionals who work with these family members. She will provide information and suggest methods that will help social workers and therapists deal with the developmental stages of remarriage and the challenges of teenage stepchildren. She also will share information on the best approaches to take in counseling. The workshop will take place in 2017 Cathedral of Learning. Six hours of continuing education credits are available.

Einstein was the founding editor of "Stepfamily Bulletin" and served on the first board of directors of the Stepfamily Association of America, now the National Stepfamily Resource Center. She is the author of "Strengthening Your Stepfamily" (Impact Publishers, 2005) and coauthor of "Active Parenting for Stepfamilies," a video-based educational program.

For more information on the lecture and workshop, call 412-624-3711.

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