Impasses in Couple Therapy

Even when a couple’s problems seem solvable, progress in couple therapy sometimes stalls, leaving clinicians and clients both frustrated. Using case examples, this course provides guidance for addressing some of the frequent reasons why couple therapy gets stuck, even then the therapist is using empirically supported couple treatments. Specific issues covered include lack of commitment, boundary disagreements, family/in-law conflict, sexual differences, hidden agendas, and more.

1.5 Hours CE. Recorded Video Format (non-interactive)

Content Advisory: To protect client confidentiality, case examples include fictionalized elements.

ESTIMATED COURSE LENGTH: 1.65 hours

CE CREDITS: 1.50 continuing education/contact hours for social workers, psychologists, counselors, and marriage and family therapists

TARGET AUDIENCE: Mental Health Practitioners

LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION: Intermediate

PREREQUISITE(S): None

INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD: Recorded video format (non-interactive)

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: Closed captioning of audio components. In order to request further accessibility accommodations, please email support@psychhub.com.

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: To obtain your CE certificate, learners must complete a pre-test (not scored), progress through all course segments, complete a participant evaluation, and obtain a score of 80% or higher on a post-test. Learners are expected to complete the quiz within 3 attempts. If unable to do so, the learner will need to re-review the course segments.

FINANCIAL/COMMERCIAL SUPPORT STATEMENT: This course has no commercial support.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:  This course has no potential conflict of interest or outside commercial support. Psych Hub's conflict of interest statement is found in the footer of the training center.

GRIEVANCE AND REFUND POLICIES: Grievance and refund policies are found in the footer of the training center.

PARTICIPATION COSTS:  The cost to participate in this CE activity is included in the subscription registration fee.

COURSE CREATION DATE: 4/19/2022

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe at least five common reasons why progress in couple therapy stalls
• Apply two methods derived from empirically supported methods of couple therapy for guiding couples through times of stalling progress in therapy
• Modify treatment plans in at least three different ways to address emerging problems and relational dynamics throughout the couple therapy process

1. Current couple therapy treatments
   1. Basis
   2. Effectiveness
   3. What is known about failures
2. Common causes of stalled progress
3. Methods for addressing stalled progress
   1. Clinical interventions
   2. Changes in the treatment plan
   3. Pausing, transferring, or terminating therapy
4. Case examples