Biological Anthropologist Helen Fisher discusses four broad basic styles of thinking and behaving associated with four primary brain systems: the dopamine, serotonin, and testosterone and estrogen/oxytocin systems. She discusses why people are predisposed to love one person rather than another (mate choice). She hypothesizes that individuals who primarily express of the constellation of traits linked with each of these brain systems may be predisposed to different forms of love addiction, includ
The secret to helping couples have a powerful, transformative experience in therapy is to get them to deeply explore---while in each other’s presence---their own character structure and family-of-origin trauma. For the therapist, this process involves six steps: arriving at the couple’s relational diagnosis, helping them articulate their repeating loops, getting the backstory of their childhood adaptation, imaginatively reparenting each inner child, loving confrontation, and helping
Perhaps the single most discussed issue in couple therapy is sex. This two-hour workshop will lead clinicians through a series of interviewing techniques for examining sexual problems in couples. These techniques include questions to ask, assessment of explicit and implicit somatic answers, and other strategic, bottom- up methods for getting to the crux of the matter. We will also cover typical difficulties many therapists have with frank sexual questioning. We’ll examine attach- ment orga
Safety is a non-negotiable condition for thriving relationships. This workshop will inform and train participants in a three part process that helps create and sustain emotional safety.
Sue Diamond Potts will interview Dr. Ellyn Bader about her 33 years specializing in couples therapy. They will discuss what it was like when she started and how the field has changed. They will especially focus on what Ellyn has learned from consulting to couples therapists from 33 countries. Ellyn will describe common mistakes therapists make and what it takes to help couples and couples therapists evolve.
Biological anthropologist Helen Fisher discusses three brain systems that evolved for mating and reproduction: the sex drive; feelings of intense romantic love; and feelings of deep attachment to a long term partner. She then focuses on her brain scanning research (using fMRI) on romantic rejection and the trajectory of love addiction following rejection. She concludes with discussion of the brain circuits associated with long-term partnership happiness and the future of relationships in the dig
This six-hour program seeks to provide information and recommendations for mental health professionals whose work includes the assessment and treatment of couples and families. The program begins with an update on legal and ethical developments that affect providers, and then moves to a discussion of risk management strategies for clinicians, including the most critical issues faced by clinicians in their work. We continue with important issues concerning confidentiality and “secrets"
This six-hour program seeks to provide information and recommendations for mental health professionals whose work includes the assessment and treatment of couples and families. The program begins with an update on legal and ethical developments that affect providers, and then moves to a discussion of risk management strategies for clinicians, including the most critical issues faced by clinicians in their work. We continue with important issues concerning confidentiality and “secrets"