(HS Bader 096757 2026) Foundations of Couples Therapy Work: Skills for Leading Confident, Growth Oriented Couples Sessions

Course overview

Couples therapy is one of the most challenging forms of psychotherapy. Indeed, many clinicians say they won't work with couples. Why the hesitation? Couples often wait too long and then come to therapy with highly reactive well-rehearsed patterns of painful interaction Therapists are not just working with the two individuals, but with a powerful interaction system that quickly pulls partners---and the therapist---into familiar cycles of blame, defensiveness, and shutdown. Being skilled requires the capacity to function in high intensity moments, the discernment to know why the couple is really there, the ability to inspire change and the incisiveness to recognize different types of motivation. In this engaging one-hour workshop, participants will learn the core foundations that enable therapists to be strong leaders who can think developmentally, interrupt reactive patterns, and help partners slow down and evolve. This workshop offers a practical framework therapists can immediately apply to create more effective and growth-oriented couples sessions.