• Synchronous • Live Webinar • May 10th, 2024

This intermediate-level course includes lecture, discussion, clinical vignettes, and psychosexual skill exercises.

Dr. Gordon received her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed her clinical psychology internship at the Brown University Consortium. She was elected a Fellow in APA’s Society for Couple and Family Psychology and was recently President of that Division. She also serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Family Psychology, Family Process, and Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice. Dr. Gordon is a relationship researcher and a co-author of the nationally acclaimed book, Getting Past the Affair.

Course Description

Recent research indicates that dealing with major betrayals in couples’ relationships is one of the most difficult problems to address in conjoint therapy. Part of the difficulty may lie in the fact that very few therapists have a strong conceptual understanding of the processes involved in responding to and recovering from a major betrayal. This presentation will first describe a model that helps therapists understand common reactions to major betrayals that will give them a cognitive “road map” for navigating these difficult experiences with clients. This presentation will provide a particular focus in understanding the roles for both the person who was betrayed and the person who engaged in this betrayal. Finally, the latter half of the workshop will focus on outlining a treatment program based on this model that has been demonstrated to help couples recover and move on from major betrayals.

Learning Objectives

Participants will learn about the role of violated assumptions in couples’ reactions to major interpersonal betrayals.
Participants will analyze a three-stage model of forgiveness.
Participants will identify a integrative couples treatment based on this model that helps couples recover from major betrayals.
Participants will also learn about the research that underpins this program of treatment.
Participants will create a plan to navigate difficult ethical challenges in treating both partners and the relationship.

This a synchronous, live course and is approved by the APA, AASECT and Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling to provide 4 (synchronous) CE credits, one of which is Ethics.

FL LCSW, MFT & CMHC approvals should cover MFT, CMHC and LCSW boards in most states, including Pennsylvania. FL MFT approval qualifies as core content for GA MFT according to GA Rule 135-9-.01.5.c. Verify with the board in your state. GA LPC CE approval has been applied for.

Bookshelf to Couch, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Bookshelf to Couch, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Programming Level

Intermediate-level programs build upon participant’s foundational knowledge of the literature and/or experience in the topic presented. Intermediate courses include more depth than introductory courses and also serve as refresher for clinicians who have background in the content area and wish to learn more contemporary science and clinical applications. Note: Anyone is welcome to enroll in any of our courses regardless of the level of programming of the course.

To learn more about how Course Programming levels are determined, visit our FAQ page.

Your Instructor

Kristi Gordon, PhD

AASECT Core Knowledge Areas:

Area A: Ethics and Ethical Behavior

Area B:Developmental sexuality from a bio-psycho-social perspective across the life course.

Area E: Intimacy skills (e.g., social, emotional, sexual), intimate relationships, interpersonal relationships and family dynamics.

Area I: Range of sexual functioning and behavior, from optimal to problematic including, but not limited to, common issues such as: desire discrepancy, lack of desire, difficulty achieving or maintaining arousal, sexual pain, penetration problems and difficulty with orgasm.

Area M: Pleasure enhancement skills.

These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT Certification and renewal of certification. Completion of these programs does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact [email protected].