SHELLY SMITH-ACUÑA, PhD, is Professor and Dean Emerita at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Loyola University of Chicago, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in couple and family therapy at the Family Institute of Chicago. She has taught a variety of systems-oriented courses in the areas of couple and family therapy, older adulthood, relational psychotherapy, and consultation, and has maintained an active practice with individuals, couples, and families for 40 years.