Welcome to the
Institute for Systemic Financial Professionals™
A future where financial advisors, planners, coaches, educators, and financial therapists are equipped to address the multiple dimensions of money, fostering wellness and systemic insight across generations.
Founder, Dr. Sonya Lutter, created the Institute for Systemic Financial Professionals™ based on her marriage and family therapy training and wanting to do something to support established financial professionals in their quest for something more. Her mission supports the roots of why she co-established the Financial Therapy Association almost 20 years ago—to help advisors communicate therapeutically without being a therapist.
Get coaching on family system’s theory and practice applying the principles. You will learn a process for implementing your skills into practice alongside a small cohort of peers.
Gain confidence in addressing difficult client issues.
Dr. Daniel Crosby
Chief Behavioral Officer, Orion
“Dr. Sonya Lutter brings a rare blend of academic depth and practical understanding of family systems theory that adds real substance to the work.
As someone who’s spent a career at the intersection of psychology and money, I see this experience as an important step forward. It goes well beyond technical skills to address the emotional and relational side of financial decision-making—the side that often matters most.
By integrating systems thinking, therapeutic communication, and holistic planning, this experience equips advisors to better serve the real humans behind the spreadsheets.”
What we discuss
Have you been searching for community? If you agree that technology assists planning, but systems-based thinking drives transformation, you might have found your people!
Practice communicating therapeutically without becoming a therapist.
-
The financial planning process (according to the CFP Board) starts with Understanding the Client’s Personal and Financial Circumstances. In addition to the financial data that is a natural part of the planning process, the personal elements are typically limited to basic demographic data. A systemic process brings in that missing element of family system dynamics.
Words like “holistic” or “comprehensive” could describe the process of understanding where the client is coming from. A systems process goes a bit further to understand the core of the issue. In this section, you will learn how to listen with your eyes to understand what is not said.
-
Step 1.5 is NEW to the traditional financial planning process. A key element of applying a therapeutic approach is knowing that YOU are part of the system. “You can only take the client as far as you have gone,” people say. This is it. Understand your role to better manage client dynamics and outcomes.
A systemic process goes further than a single relationship to understand the core of the issue. Try to listen with your eyes to understand what is not said.
Increase self-awareness to know how your emotions and biases show up with your clients. You are part of the system. -
To identify goals means understanding the “why” or values held by clients. No goal will be followed unless it is authentic to the client. A systemic approach to goals focuses on desirable outcomes that align with the client’s values. Possible outcomes that clients may identify include better financial wellness, living more authentically, and better communication with family/"the system" about money.
-
Pay attention to the emotional reactions with your conversations with clients and be ready to pause if the clients’ mentality prevents them from hearing what you are saying. In this step, you can manage emotional reactions through careful tools and discussion prompts.
-
Steps 4-6 of the financial planning process are largely rooted in the financial calculations. Since a Systemic Financial Professional™ sees more of what is going on with clients’ lives. As a result of this expanded perspective, we will evaluate limits to your professional boundaries and develop a solid referral system to consider as you develop, present, and implement the financial plan.
-
Financial planning is an ongoing process and monitoring client systems are just as dynamic. When reviewing progress toward goals, take process notes to capture what is not being said and note changes to the client system.
Contact Us
Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!