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Addressing Communication and Conflict in Couples Therapy

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025   10:00 AM EDT -4:45 PM EDT
Keith Jordan, LCSW
$99.99

This presentation delves into the diverse landscape of couples therapy, examining various successful models that have proven effective in fostering relational well-being, specifically Imago Relationship Therapy; the Gottman Method; Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy; Relational Life Therapy; Internal Family Systems; CBT Couples Therapy; and Solution Focused Couples Therapy.  The presenter offers an overview of these models, highlighting their distinctive features, commonalities, and differences. A significant portion of the presentation is dedicated to the presenter's approach to couples therapy, placing a particular emphasis on enhancing communication skills and conflict resolution strategies.

About the Presenter

Keith Jordan, LCSW is retired after 30 years with Orange County Mental Health, NY where he worked as a substance abuse counselor, inmate counselor and custody evaluator. He presently has a full-time private practice in Poughkeepsie, NY where he specializes in couples therapy and co-parenting counseling. He has an online Couples Group and an online Co-parenting Support Group.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Compare and contrast at least three models of couples therapy (similarities and differences)
  2. Describe how to address three causes of defensiveness leading to escalation of arguments between couples.
  3. Specify six rules of communication that can be taught to most couples to reduce conflict.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to teach effective communication skills to couples.

Agenda:

Brief descriptions of couples therapy models  (50 minutes)

 1.Imago Relationship Therapy (Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt)

2. Gottman Method (John and Julie Gottman)

3.EFT - Emotionally Focused Therapy (Sue Johnson)

4.Relational Life Therapy (Terry Real)

5.Internal Family Systems (Richard Schwartz)

6.CBT Couples Therapy (Arthur Freeman, Frank Dattilio)

7.Solution Focused Couples Therapy (Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, Elliott Connie)

8.Discernment Counseling (Bill Doherty)

9.Breakout Discussions – what approach would you choose (10 minutes)

10.Conclusions from Discussions (10)

11.Q & A (15 minutes) 

12. The “Keith Jordan” approach to couples therapy (25 minutes)

13. Rules of Engagement (25 minutes)

14. Addressing defensiveness and trauma reactivation triggers (15) 

15. Advanced conflict resolution and problem-solving techniques (15)

16. Q & A (15 minutes)

17.Presenter demonstration of couples therapy techniques (25)

18. Q & A (15 minutes)

19. Addressing infidelity issues (10 minutes)

20. Issues in nontraditional relationships: same-sex couples, polyamory/open marriages (10 minutes)

21.Co-parenting communication for separated couples (10)

22. Q & A (15 minutes)

23. Breakout Role-play Exercise 1 (25 minutes)

24. Q &A (15)

25. Breakout Role-play Exercise 2 (25 minutes)

26. Q & A (15)

27. Summary, Concluding Remarks (15 minutes)

 

This workshop offers 6 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: intermediate
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0046
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0082
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0048.
  • CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.