Continuing Education Course Information
HOW WE LOVE: ATTACHMENT THEORY WITH COUPLESWe find MFT’s, LCSW’s, and Psychologists receive limited training during their schooling in how to successfully work with couples. Although the material presented in this seminar is applicable to individual therapy, the focus of this seminar will be working with couples.
This eight hour course will teach attendees how to structure couples’ therapy using the model of attachment theory.
Five common injurious attachment styles, which block close connections between partners, will be contrasted with secure attachment, which promotes emotional intimacy. The interplay of these styles and the common core patterns of interaction they produce will be discussed. Treatment goals will be reviewed along with therapeutic interventions.
Course content relates to the scope of practice of MFT’s, LCSW’s, and Psychologists, in that it helps therapists understand the root of problematic core patterns and the reasons couples struggle to find intimacy and satisfaction in their relationships.Milan and Kay Yerkovich will base the course material on the book; How We Love and the outline of the content reflect the content of the book.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Attendee will be prepared to use a diagnostic question (the revealing question) during couple’s therapy to determine levels of emotional connection within each partner’s family of origin.
2. Attendee will be able to articulate the history of attachment theory and rationale for using a model that recognizes five injurious attachment styles that impair intimacy in couple relationships.
3. Attendee will be able to describe at least five circumstances that might interrupt the bonding process between a child and his or her parents.
4. Attendee will be able to list one or more characteristics of how individuals with each attachment style will present in couples therapy.
5. Attendee will be able to describe how some Personality Disorders are correlated to attachment injuries.
6. Attendee will be able to state six common patterns of interactions (core patterns) that occur when couples with different attachment styles relate.
7. Therapists will be able to identify and articulate their own attachment style and how it might influence the therapeutic relationship.
8. Attendee will understand how to identify couples’ triggers and teach their clients how to identify the childhood wounds that fuel each partner’s intense reactions in the present.
9. Attendee will be able to explain the cultural implications of Attachment Theory to better manage diverse populations.