1st Friday of every month from 1:10-2:40pm
3000 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 214
Washington, DC 20008

The challenges of working with couples will be explored through readings that draw from self psychology, attachment theory, intersubjectivity and relational theories, neuroscience, as well as clinical discussion. Topics will include working with oppositional couples, countertransference dilemmas, sexual issues, infidelity, loss and blended families. Additional topics will be determined by the interests of group participants.  Group members should be actively working with couples.

Members who attend this study group will be able to:

  1. Describe the application of self psychological and relational concepts in couples therapy.
  2. Discuss clinical approaches to helping couples elicit and deepen emotional expression.
  3. Identify how early attachment wounds manifest in varying attachment styles and contribute to relationship dynamics.
  4. Demonstrate therapeutic approaches to working with each attachment style.
  5. Describe two concepts from neurobiology that can be integrated into couples therapy.
  6. Assess the emotional dysregulation of each partner and employ techniques to address the arousal system of the couple.
  7. Identify the impact of each partner’s childhood trauma on relationship dynamics.
  8. Discuss clinical approaches to working with couples with a history of childhood trauma.
  9. Describe the developmental losses couples inevitably face in the aging process.
  10. Identify challenges and shifting relationship dynamics as couples age.