Short Course: Relational Psychotherapies and Stress Physiology (RPSP): A Relational Mind-Body Model ~ December 13th, 2026

Dr. Cole is currently working on a model called the Relational Psychotherapies and Stress Physiology (RPSP) model, aimed at understanding and addressing mental health conditions from a mind-to-body perspective with a focus on “top-down,” or mind-over-matter, reciprocal, processes. The RPSP model specifically highlights the importance of nuanced interpersonal-affective attunement and containment (drawing inspiration from Daniel Stern) within the context of psychotherapy relationships.  The model is predicated on the idea that stress-induced physiological responses often stem from unresolved or unregulated interpersonal-emotional conflicts. When there are difficulties in affective attunement, containment, or pacing between individuals, these issues are registered by the amygdala and trigger nervous and neuroendocrine responses, interpreting misattunements as ongoing potential threats (i.e., stress). This process activates the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis in ways that research shows that it  varies depending on the type of stressor, its intensity, frequency and pattern of exposure. Familiar psychoanalytic concepts, such as working with Transference and Countertransference, take on new meaning when considered from the perspective of this reciprocating mind-to-body sequence. By clarifying how interpersonal-emotional stressors causally contribute to particular disorders—even at the biological level—RPSP      helps untangle some of the challenges faced in bridging psychoanalytic theory with neurobiological evidence. In this way RPSP informs questions about the role of biological factors  in mental disorder and treatment including whether and when directly-acting biological agents  should be  included . Shifting toward a relational-affectively driven mind-body perspective changes how we classify variables (as independent, mediating/moderating  and dependent) in this relationship.  In essence, the model proposes that changes in relationships can affect the brain and nervous system in patterned ways that produce the symptom clusters typical of various mental health disorders. This model draws upon decades of clinical practice, both Dr. Cole’s experience and published literature, as well as current neuroscientific and interpersonal-neurobiological research. During this short course, Dr Cole will present his RPSP model and utilize two case examples to further demonstrate the model.

Learning Objectives:

After the completion of this short course, participants will be able to:

• Describe a relationship between psychological, social and biological variables that is a better fit with empirically observed reality.
• Explain the role of relational-affective attunement/misattunement as an independent/determining variable in the mind-body stress pathway.
• Summarize the role of the amygdala in the interpersonal-affective-misattunement-to-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis stress-pathway continuum.

PLEASE NOTE: Recording in any form of this live streaming event is NOT permitted.

Registration closes at noon on December 12th.

About our Speaker:

Jeffrey D. Cole, PhD, FPPR, FICPP, ABMP is a Director and Past-President of Academy of Medical Psychology (AMP) and the American Board of Medical Psychology (ABMP).  He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Board-Certified Medical Psychologist.  Dr. Cole has worked in the mental health field for over four decades with patients presenting with a vast range of presenting problems and clinical disorders and in a range of settings from rural outpatient to inner-city community outpatient work, hospital inpatient settings, including forensic inpatient, criminal justice, geropsychology and currently is in private practice in Upstate New York.  He specializes with patients struggling with severe mood disorders, PTSD, borderline personality and other personality disorders.

 References:

Gordon, H. (2020). Building a bridge out of suffering: Using attuned relationships to promote affect regulation with mentors of at-risk children. Journal of Infant, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 19(4), 393-402. https://doi.org/10.1080/15289168.2020.1841360

Ostlund, B. D., Measelle, J. R., Laurent, H. K., Conradt, E. and Ablow, J. C. (2017). Shaping emotion regulation: Attunement, symptomatology, and stress recovery within mother–infant dyads. Developmental Psychobiology, 59(1), 15-25.  https://doi.org/10.1002/dev.21448

Townshend, K., Caltabiano, N.J. (2019). The extended nervous system: affect regulation, somatic and social change processes associated with mindful parenting. BMC Psychology, 7(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-019-0313-0

Cost and Registration:

$75 ICP+P Members
$35 ICP+P 1st +2nd Year Members, Emerging Professionals, MITs and Graduate Student Members, and Fellows
$35 Unaffiliated Students and Fellows
$90 Non-Members

A refund for cancellation is available up to 10 days before the start date.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Continuing education credit: 2.0 CE credits available for full attendance. The Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis (ICP+P) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. ICP+P maintains responsibility for this program and its content. ICP+P is approved by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners to offer Category I continuing education credit. As our CE program receives oversight from a licensed social worker, the CE credits we award are highly likely to be recognized by licensing boards in Virginia and the District of Columbia. These continuing education credits meet the ANCC standards for nurses. Marriage and family therapists licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia may submit these CE credits to their licensing boards. (Marriage and family therapists in other jurisdictions and licensed counselors should inquire with their local Boards regarding continuing education credit.) Attendees from the above professional groups will earn 2.0 CE credits for attending the CE activity. Full attendance is required to receive the designated CE credit.

* Jeffrey D. Cole, as presenter, and the planners have informed us that they do not have a conflict of interest and have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationship with any commercial interests pertaining to this educational activity.

CE Credit is granted to participants with documented attendance at the short course. Credit will not be granted to registrants who are more than 15 minutes late or depart more than 15 minutes early from a session.