Ryan Seedall

Human Devt. and Family Studies

Associate Professor, Director, MFT Program


Ryan Seedall

Contact Information

Office Location: SCCE 415
Phone: 435-797-7433
Email: ryan.seedall@usu.edu
Additional Information:

Educational Background

PhD, Human Development and Family Studies, MFT Specialization, Michigan State University, 2011
The Relationship Between Attachment and Emotional Experience During Semi-Natural and Therapy-Like Couple Interactions
MS, Marriage and Family Therapy, Brigham Young University, 2004
Conjoint Marital Therapy: Proxy Voice Intervention and Softening in the Context of Couple Enactments
BA, Psychology, Brigham Young University, 2001

Licensures & Certifications

Certified Therapist, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, 2020
AAMFT Approved Supervisor, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, 2011
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Utah, Utah, 2011

Biography

I was born and raised on a farm in Rupert, Idaho, where we grew wheat, sugar beets, potatoes, and beans. In 2011, I received by PhD from Michigan State University in Human Development and Family Studies, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. I began my work at Utah State in January 2012. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist and have been a practicing therapist for over 20 years. Outside of work, I enjoy sports, reading, and spending time with my wife, Ruth, and our four children.

Teaching Interests

I teach a variety of courses in our MFT master's and PhD programs, including MFT theory, research, and practicum. I also enjoy teaching undergraduates about couple and family relationships as well as diversity. My ultimate goal in all I teach is to help students grow towards a love of learning by helping them understand and appreciate a subject’s relevance in their own lives. I do this by fostering (1) fostering an atmosphere of caring and respect; (2) providing constructive, clear communication and feedback; (3) customizing the learning process by using a variety of teaching formats, (4) helping students engage with and experience the material; and (5) soliciting student feedback and making course adjustments.

Research Interests

The overall theme of my research is to help improve couple and family relationships. I do this by working to understand and improve relationship process, including both couple relationship and therapeutic processes. One other major focus of my research is identifying specific therapeutic interventions that are useful (e.g., enactments) as well as client-related factors that lead to positive therapy process and outcome (e.g., attachment, social support). Lastly, I am interested in protective family dynamics and prevention efforts, including ways to reduce mental health disparities amongst underrepresented and/or marginalized groups.

Awards

AAMFT 2016 Thesis Award - Mentor, 2016

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Reviewer of the Year, 2013

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy - Wiley/Blackwell

New Professional Outstanding Paper Award - Family Therapy Section, 2012

National Council On Family Relations

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy 2012 Dissertation Award, 2012

Palmer-Shelton Scholarship, 2010

Michigan State University

Ruth Hurt Memorial Scholarship, 2010

Michigan State University

Jean Davis Schlater Dissertation Fellowship, 2010

Michigan State University

Student Outstanding Paper Award - Family Therapy Section, 2008

National Council on Family Relations

Evelyn Mansfield Scholarship, 2008

Michigan State University

Health and Human Services Scholarship, 2007

Texas Tech University

AT&T Chancellor’s Fellowship, 2006

Texas Tech University

Sant Scholarship, 2003

Brigham Young University

Elk’s National Foundation Scholarship , 1995

Brigham Young University

Trustee's Scholarship, 1995

Brigham Young University


Publications | Books

      Publications | Book Chapters

    • Seedall, R., Faustino Hansen, M.A, (2019). Odd and even day ritual in couple and family therapy: Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer Publications
    • Seedall, R., Butler, M.H, (2016). Enactments: The SAGE encyclopedia of marriage, family, and couples counseling. SAGE
    • Seedall, R., (2016). Social Support: The SAGE encyclopedia of marriage, family, and couples counseling. SAGE
    • Seedall, R., Lachmar, E.M, (2016). Attachment Theory: The SAGE encyclopedia of marriage, family, and couples counseling. SAGE
    • Seedall, R., (2014). Observing Relationships: A Conceptual Overview of Data Management and Analysis: Advanced methods in family therapy research: A focus on validity and change. . Routledge

    An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

    Publications | Journal Articles

    Academic Journal

    • Seedall, R., Russo, R., Aller, T., Clark, J.K, #ThisIsWhatAnxietyFeelsLike: Twitter users’ narratives about the interpersonal effects of anxiety. Contemporary Family Therapy
    • Spencer, J, Seedall, R., Gillespie, A., (2023). Couple recovery from problematic pornography use: A foundational phenomenological inquiry. Sexual Health and Compulsivity, 30:4, 342-364.
    • Barboza, J., Seedall, R., Neimeyer, R.A, (2022). Meaning co-construction: Facilitating shared family meaning making in bereavement. Family Process, 61:1, 7-24. doi: 10.1111/famp.12671
    • Aller, T.B, Fauth, E.B, Seedall, R., (2021). Mental Health Awareness and Advocacy (MHAA) for Youth: An evaluation of a college-based mental health literacy curriculum. Mental Health & Prevention, 23:1, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.mhp.2021.200204
    • Butler, M.H, Spencer, T.J, Seedall, R., (2020). Reshaping couple configurations that get in the way of relationship repair and healing.. Family Process, 59:3, 1334-1352. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12475
    • Taylor, N., Seedall, R., Robinson, W., Bradford, K.P, (2018). The systemic interaction of attachment and psychophysiological arousal in couple conflict. . Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 44:1, 46-60. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12239
    • Boyce, L.K, Seedall, R., Innocenti, M., Roggman, L.A, Cook, G., Hagman, A., Norman, V.J, (2017). Influence of a parent-child interaction focused bookmaking approach on maternal parenting self-efficacy. Infants and Young Children, 30:1, 76-93.
    • Seedall, R., Butler, M.H, Zamora, J.P, Yang, C., (2016). Attachment Change in the Beginning Stages of Therapy: Examining Change Trajectories for Avoidance and Anxiety. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 42:2, 217-230. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12146
    • Seedall, R., Lachmar, E.M, (2016). Attachment-Related Dynamics during a Positively-Themed Couple Interaction: Implications of Anxiety and Avoidance. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 5:1, 27-42. doi: 10.1037/cfp0000054
    • Seedall, R., Anthony, J.C, (2015). Monitoring by parents: Hypothesized male-female differences in evidence from a nationally representative cohort re-sampled each year from age 12-17 years. Prevention Science, 16, 696-706. doi: 10.1007/s11121-014-0517-8
    • Downs, A., Seedall, R., Taylor, N.C, Downs, K.J, (2015). Attachment-based considerations for addressing adolescent substance use (ASU) in a family context. American Journal of Family Therapy, 43:1, 28-43. doi: 10.1080/01926187.2014.935683
    • Seedall, R., Anthony, J.C, (2013). Risk estimates for starting tobacco, alcohol, & other drug use in the United States: Male-female differences and the possibility that 'limiting time with friends' is protective. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 133:2, 751-753. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.06.035

    Professional Journal

    • Allgood, S.M, Seedall, R., Williams, R.B, (2020). Expressive writing and marital satisfaction: A writing sample analysis. Family Relations, 69:2, 380-391. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12416
    • Seedall, R., Wampler, K.S, (2016). Couple Emotional Experience: Effects of Attachment Anxiety in Low and High Structure Couple Interactions. Journal of Family Therapy, 38:3, 340-363. doi: 10.1111/1467-6427.12113
    • Seedall, R., Holtrop, K.S, Parra-Cardona, J.R, (2014). Diversity, social justice, and intersectionality trends in C/MFT: A content analysis of three family therapy journals, 2004-2011. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 40:2, 139-151. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12015
    • Seedall, R., Butler, M.H, Elledge, J.Z, (2014). Does religious motivation influence the conceptualization and acceptability of forgiveness as a therapeutic intervention? . American Journal of Family Therapy, 42:2, 127-140. doi: 10.1080/01926187.2013.772868
    • Seedall, R., Houghtaling, A., Wilkins, E.J, (2013). Disclosing extra-dyadic involvement (EDI): Understanding attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Contemporary Family Therapy, 35:4, 745-759. doi: 10.1007/s10591-013-9243-9
    • Seedall, R., Wampler, K.S, (2013). An attachment primer for couple therapists: Research and clinical implications. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 39:4, 427-440. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12024
    • Seedall, R., Wampler, K.S, (2012). Emotional congruence within couple interaction: The role of attachment avoidance. Journal of Family Psychology, 26:6, 948-958. doi: 10.1037/a0030479
    • Seedall, R., (2009). Enhancing change process in solution-focused brief therapy by utilizing couple enactments. American Journal of Family Therapy, 37, 99-113.
    • Butler, M.H, Harper, J.M, Seedall, R., (2009). Facilitated disclosure vs. clinical accommodation of infidelity secrets: An early pivot point in couple therapy. Part 1: Couple relationship ethics, pragmatics, and attachment. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 35, 125-143.
    • Froerer, A., Smock, S.A, Seedall, R., (2009). Solution-focused group work: Collaborating with clients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 20, 13-27.
    • Butler, M.H, Davis, S.D, Seedall, R., (2008). Common pitfalls of beginning therapists utilizing enactments. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 34, 329-352.
    • Gardner, B.C, Butler, M.H, Seedall, R., (2008). En-gendering the couple-Deity relationship: Clinical implications of power and process. Contemporary Family Therapy, 30, 152-166.
    • Butler, M.H, Seedall, R., Harper, J.M, (2008). Facilitated disclosure vs. clinical accommodation of infidelity secrets: An early pivot point in couple therapy. Part 2: Therapy ethics, pragmatics, and protocol. American Journal of Family Therapy, 36, 265-283.
    • Seedall, R., Butler, M.H, (2008). The attachment relationship in recovery from addiction. Part 2: Substantive enactment interventions. Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 15, 77-96.
    • Seedall, R., Andersson, L.G, Butler, M.H, (2006). Couples’ experience of enactments and softening in marital therapy. American Journal of Family Therapy, 34, 301-315.
    • Butler, M.H, Seedall, R., (2006). The attachment relationship in recovery from addiction. Part 1: Relationship mediation. Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 13, 289-315.
    • Seedall, R., Butler, M.H, (2006). The effect of proxy voice intervention on couple softening in the context of enactments. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 32, 421-437.

    Public or Trade Journal

      An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

      Publications | Other

      An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

      Teaching

      HDFS 6320 - Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2024
      , Fall 2023
      USU 1010 - University Connections, Fall 2023
      HDFS 6390 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2023
      HDFS 6320 - Theories and Models of Systemic Therapy, Spring 2023
      , Fall 2022
      HDFS 7310 - Contemporary Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy, Fall 2022
      HDFS 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity (CI), Fall 2022
      HDFS 6380 - Survey of Systemic Research and Methods, Fall 2022
      USU 1010 - University Connections, Fall 2022
      HDFS 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity (CI), Summer 2022
      HDFS 6390 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2022
      HDFS 6320 - Theories and Models of Systemic Therapy, Spring 2022
      HDFS 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity (CI), Spring 2021
      HDFS 6390 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2021
      HDFS 6320 - Theories and Models of Systemic Therapy, Spring 2021
      HDFS 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity (CI), Fall 2020
      HDFS 6380 - Survey of Systemic Research and Methods, Fall 2020
      HDFS 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity (CI), Summer 2020
      HDFS 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity (CI), Spring 2020
      HDFS 6320 - Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2020
      HDFS 6390 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2020
      HDFS 7300 - Advanced Theories in Marriage and Family Therapy, Fall 2019
      HDFS 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity (CI), Fall 2019
      HDFS 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity (CI), Spring 2019
      HDFS 6320 - Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2019
      HDFS 6390 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2019
      HDFS 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity (CI), Fall 2018
      HDFS 6380 - Survey of Marital and Family Therapy Research, Fall 2018
      FCHD 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity, Spring 2018
      FCHD 6320 - Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2018
      FCHD 6390 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2018
      FCHD 6370 - Assessment in Marriage and Family Therapy, Fall 2017
      FCHD 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity, Fall 2017
      FCHD 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity, Spring 2017
      FCHD 6320 - Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2017
      FCHD 6390 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2017
      FCHD 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity, Fall 2016
      FCHD 6380 - Survey of Marital and Family Therapy Research, Fall 2016
      FCHD 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity, Spring 2016
      FCHD 6320 - Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2016
      FCHD 6390 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2016
      FCHD 6370 - Assessment in Marriage and Family Therapy, Fall 2015
      FCHD 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity, Fall 2015
      FCHD 6320 - Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2015
      FCHD 6390 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2015
      FCHD 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity, Fall 2014
      FCHD 6380 - Survey of Marital and Family Therapy Research, Fall 2014
      FCHD 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity, Spring 2014
      FCHD 6320 - Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2014
      FCHD 6390 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2014
      FCHD 6370 - Assessment in Marriage and Family Therapy, Fall 2013
      FCHD 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity, Fall 2013
      FCHD 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity, Summer 2013
      FCHD 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity, Summer 2013
      FCHD 6390 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2013
      FCHD 6390 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy, Fall 2012
      FCHD 6380 - Survey of Marital and Family Therapy Research, Fall 2012
      FCHD 2400 - Marriage and Family Relationships, Summer 2012
      FCHD 6390 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy, Spring 2012
      FCE 225 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Spring 2009
      FCE 225 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Fall 2008

      Graduate Students Mentored

      Bonnie Young, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2022
      Jackie Johnson, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2023 - May 2025
      Kelly Beazer, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2023 - May 2025
      Kyla Iverson, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2023 - May 2025
      Josh Otani, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2022 - May 2024
      Moana Fullmer, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2022 - May 2024
      Yael Keller, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2022 - May 2024
      Allie Gillespie, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2021 - May 2024
      Jessica Barboza, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2019 - August 2023
      Jacob Ybarra, Human Devt. and Family Studies, April 2022 - July 2023
      Amanda Jenks, Human Devt. and Family Studies, May 2022 - May 2023
      Gwen Adams, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2021 - May 2023
      Josh McBride, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2021 - May 2023
      Alfredo Araujo, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2020 - May 2022
      Joseph Yang, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2020 - May 2022
      Jeremy Clark, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2019 - May 2021
      Nicole Smith, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2019 - May 2021
      Gregory Noel, Human Devt. and Family Studies, May 2019 - May 2020
      Andreia Scotto, Human Devt. and Family Studies, September 2018 - May 2020
      Raechel Russo, Human Devt. and Family Studies, September 2018 - May 2020
      J. Scott Crapo, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2015 - March 2020
      Travis Spencer, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2017 - July 2019
      Lindsey Hall, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2017 - May 2019
      Alex Theobald, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2016 - May 2018
      Juliet Tietjen, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2016 - May 2018
      Melanie Hansen, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2015 - May 2017
      Preston Kadleck, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2015 - May 2017
      Krystal Cox, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2014 - May 2016
      Melissa Carr, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2014 - May 2016
      Megan Lachmar, Human Devt. and Family Studies, September 2013 - July 2015
      Cassandra Barker, Human Devt. and Family Studies, October 2012 - May 2014
      Clinton Broadbent, Human Devt. and Family Studies, April 2012 - December 2013
      Cecilie D. Ott, Human Devt. and Family Studies, May 2012 - May 2013