CC22 Workshop 05 - Polarization in Intimate and Civic Life - William Doherty, PhD

During this time of extreme polarization in the country, political stress has invaded couple relationships. Loyalties to different political tribes create tensions, as do different ways of coping with this stressful environment. This is new territory for couples therapists, and of course we are dealing with our own distress about what’s going on the country. The presenter will offer clinical strategies for helping couples in turbulent times, along with examples of how he has applied couples therapy strategies to create community interventions to reduce polarization, via the nonprofit Braver Angels.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants identify the major sources of political polarization in contemporary society.

2. They describe the effects of political stress on couple relationships.

3. They discuss general ways to help couples cope with political stress.

4. They identify ways that couples therapy knowledge can apply to political polarization.