Of all the problems that prompt people to seek therapy, relationship issues rank among the top three. A substantial percentage of people who seek therapy do so because they are having difficulty with those they love. Yet, many therapists don't feel equipped to work comfortably and effectively with couples.
When it comes to relationship issues, individual therapy is like the lecture...couple therapy is like the lab. The "lecture" can be very useful but it's in the "lab" that real learning and change is likely to occur.
Here's what you'll learn...
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There are two basic orientations to working with couples. You'll learn what these are and why they are important. In addition, you'll learn when to employ one orientation over the other.
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Developing a rapport with couples is essential. You'll learn how to "join" the couple without taking sides.
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Couples always interact in a patterned way. It's the patterns of relating that cause most of the difficulty. You'll learn how to identify their pattern(s) and how to begin addressing change.
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Couples usually seek help for specific reasons. Most frequently, they present with issues related to trust, communication and intimacy. You'll learn the dynamics of each of these presenting problems and how they can be engaged.
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