Dr. Giammattei will present the underlying framework that therapists who work with transgender or gender expansive (TGE) couples need to understand in order to provide gender affirming treatment. He will share ways to explore your own hetero/cis-normative beliefs around coupling and how these influence the models you choose, the questions you ask, and the interventions you use. While TGE couples experience many of the same issues as other couples, we will explore the minority stress and unique stressors that impact these issues in profound ways.
In this golden age for models of couples therapy, therapists may wonder if they should be practicing the “one best model.” The research is clear that couples therapy models that have been tested are about equally effective, and that there are a number of key ingredients in any effective way to practice couples therapy. The presenter will describe these key ingredients that cut across models and some skills necessary to practice any model. He will argue that since this therapy is about improving relationships, the relationships we establish with our couple clients—balanced, caring, and sometimes challenging—are the heart of what we have to do well.
The empty chair psychodrama was first made popular by Fritz Perls, founder of Gestalt therapy. It has since been adapted into Redecision Therapy, The Developmental Model, Voice Dialogue, Family Constellation, and even Cognitive-Behavioral therapy. PACT has adapted this approach for use within the couple session when consistent projection or projective identification processes impede the forward development of one or both partners. This particular technique uses Self and Object Relations theory to capture real time archaic self and object representations that maintain an ego syntonic, regressed relationship with one (or more) original caregiver(s). The psychodrama provides an opportunity for the couple therapist to bring this maladaptive early relationship to light and to make strides toward ego dystonic rejection of the regressive behavior.
The Solution Focused Approach has been around since the 1970s and in that time it has grown in prominence and popularity amongst professionals in many fields. One area where it has been gaining steam in recent years has been in working with couples. This is an approach about using questions to help the couple move their relationship from the problem towards a future that is more desirable to both partners.
When it comes to sex issues, therapists are understandably concerned about crossing a boundary, making their clients uncomfortable, or getting outside of their scope of practice. However, when therapists shy away from bringing up sexuality, they may be missing serious (even life-threatening) issues. In this skill-building presentation, Martha will share her unique approach to bringing up sex, including how to follow up ethically and thoroughly once the topic is open. When should you refer or consult? Where is the line regarding scope of practice? What language will help both you and your clients feel comfortable? How much do you need to know about sex? How do you tell whether you’re dealing with relational issue or a sex issue? What should you focus on first? Discover the answers to these questions and more, and walk away with a set of tools you can apply in your very next session.
The process of working with erotic transference and countertransference is often avoided in clinical practice and in the training of psychotherapists. As therapists we must recognize and address that erotic transference and countertransference are significant pathways, albeit uncomfortable topics steeped in fear and defensiveness, toward greater vulnerability, healing, and the potential for growth within the clients we treat and the clinicians we long to be. This keynote discussion will begin a conversation on the process of removing fear from topics traditionally avoided within the realm of normative psychotherapy practice and parameters for their exploration within a boundaried and ethical framework will be provided.
Since 1988, professionals worldwide have used and taught the Developmental Model. Feedback from thousands of therapists and clients tells us what matters most to clients and what parts of the Developmental Model have led to the greatest breakthroughs in therapeutic skill.
This keynote will emphasize 1) core principles of Developmental thinking that resonate with clients and 2) targeted skill sets that enable therapists to eliminate painful stuck patterns with couples. You’ll come away knowing how to move your couples forward to create enduring change.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a model of therapy that views the mind as a system of sub-personalities or parts that hold different beliefs, emotions, and behaviors. IFS also believes that each person has a “Self” that has inherent wisdom or healing capacity.
When we apply IFS to couples, we help each partner become aware of their own parts and how they interact with their partners parts. This helps couples resolve conflicts that arise when their parts are in opposition to each other. IFS also helps each member of the couple identify and heal the wounds within them that can get in the way of intimacy in the relationship.
The overall goal of IFS in couples is to help individuals become more aware of their own parts, to access empathy for their partner’s parts, and release the blocks that cause conflicts to develop a more compassionate relationship within themselves and their relationship.
What do consent, great sex, strong agreements, and well-functioning polyamory have in common? The Developmental Model of Couple’s Therapy holds important keys to creating all of them. In this keynote, sex therapist Martha Kauppi will discuss why she finds the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy to be an ideal fit for her relational sex therapy practice. Learn how weaving together concepts of attachment, differentiation, and neuroscience empowers clients to create strong, healthy intimate and sexual relationships.
The Solution Focused Approach with couples is a brief and outcome-driven approach to couples therapy. The focus is on the present and future, rather than the past. The aim is to help couples identify and achieve their desired outcomes, while ignoring or minimizing any problematic behaviors.