Training Title:
Couple Therapy and Self-Psychology

Clock Hours: 1

Objectives:
By the time you complete this course, you should be able to: • Learn metaphors applying to couple conversations • Understand Leone’s approach to history taking with couples. • Learn Leone’s “Big Five” issues in couple therapy. • Recognize one of the biggest reason why couples drop out of couple therapy. • Understand the concept of the “Forward Edge.”

Description:
Treatment of couples basically falls into three categories: systemic; psychodynamic; and behavioral/educational. Novice and experienced therapists alike struggle with the many challenges of couple psychotherapy. Teaching communication skills and pointing out behavior patterns can be helpful for many couples. But when feelings of rage or hopelessness prevail, or narcissistic vulnerabilities are present, the deeper roots of such difficulties need to be addressed and focused on. Psychoanalytic theory, especially self-psychology is highly suited to understanding couples’ dynamics. Having an in-depth point of view and recognizing the influence of unconscious processes on these relationships can help therapists treat these couples and manage their own reactions to the couples as well. Keywords: Psychoanalytic theory, self-psychology, couple, marriage

Approval Bodies