Broken Bonds: Healing Relationship Betrayals with Emotionally Focused Therapy *

Lisa Palmer-Olsen, PsyD & Jim Furrow, PhD

April 5 & 6, 2024    9am - 4:30pm    Up to 13 CE Hours

Newkirk Alumni Center,

University of California Irvine

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A frequent presenting problem in couples therapy is some form of relationship betrayal: sexual, emotional, financial or other serious deceptions and the broken bonds resulting from the fractured trust. Even experienced therapists can feel overwhelmed guiding the bumpy process from crisis to repair. Yet, these challenges come with important opportunities for healing and growth.

 

This workshop explores the journey of one couple in therapy through the path of risk, resilience, and recovering from a relationship betrayal. It addresses the core stages of betrayal recovery using the Attachment Injury Resolution Model [AIRM] to help couples work through the injury of a betrayal using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

 

The format provides opportunity for moment-to-moment discussion of the therapy process in betrayal repair, as well as clarity in clinical decision-making. There will be ample time for video demonstrations illustrating key moments in the process of Attachment Injury Resolution, and therapist practices necessary for restoring safety, developing a coherent narrative for the betrayal event, and renewing intimate bonds.

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Day 1:   CHOOSE TO ATTEND DAY 1 ONLY for a comprehensive overview of the model illustrated by powerful videos of the therapy journey of one couple over time, from crisis to repair. There will be rich didactic material alongside extensive video segments demonstrating working through the steps and stages of the AIRM toward resolution of these relationship injuries.

 

Day 2:  COME FOR BOTH DAYS for a more in-depth dive into the skills required to help couples navigate the complexity, heightened distress and insecurity of shattered trust, including a potential live couples session as well as extensive video review of several types of clinical cases, which will address specific therapist skills and treatment issues found in different relationship betrayals. There will also be Interactive Q & A to offer useful direction on difficult or stuck cases

 

KEY POINTS

• Conceptualize relationship issues related to breach of trust as a type of "attachment injury" where a fundamental rupture of trust inhibits one or both partner's ability to move forward in this relationship.

• Provide practical direction in treating relational betrayals and the clinical management of highly reactive couples.

• Review the steps and stages of EFT as an empirically supported approach with a particular focus on recovery from relational betrayal.

• Examine key moments in the change process of resolving attachment injuries through video case demonstration, live consultation and discussion.

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Describe the process of recovery and factors associated with resilience in the face of trauma

•  Identify the interventions that enable couples to create a coherent narrative and renew trust following a relationship injury

• Apply EFT interventions that foster stabilization in the context of heightened distress after disclosure of relationship betrayals.

• Promote partner’s access to and sharing of pain and remorse

• Define an effective protocol for disclosure of a relationship betrayal

• Apply EFT interventions in effectively processing blocks associated with relationship betrayals

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*This program is at an Intermediate Level. It is assumed that participants will have a basic knowledge of couples therapy.

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ABOUT THE TRAINERS

 

Dr. Lisa J. Palmer-Olsen, Psy.D. is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in San Diego, California for over twenty years. She is also a Certified International Emotionally Focused Therapy Trainer and AAMFT approved Supervisor. 

Dr. Palmer-Olsen’s primary clinical and research interests are in the area of family systems and high conflict couple work, specifically with clients dealing with trauma and attachment related injuries. 

As a founder and Co-Director for Renova San Diego Inc, a non-profit 501(c)(3) based out of San Diego, she is committed to providing quality San Diego services accessible to all who seek it. Dr. Palmer-Olsen is passionate about providing affordable, high caliber training to mental health clinicians around the world. 

Dr. Palmer-Olsen completed her dissertation research on how to train and teach Emotionally Focused Therapy to professionals. Lisa was trained directly by the founder of the EFT model Dr. Susan Johnson.

 

 

James Furrow, Ph.D., is an EFT certified practitioner, supervisor and trainer. He’s a recognized leader in the development and practice of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Together with EFT originator, Susan Johnson, Ed.D., Jim co-authored Becoming an EFT Therapist: The Workbook and was co-editor of The EFT Casebook,along with other works specific to the practice of EFT with couples and families. His presentations are well regarded nationally and internationally for their substantive, practical and inspiring focus. Jim maintains an active research program studying the process of EFT and its outcome. His research interests focus on couple therapy, interpersonal relationships, and resilience with at-risk youth. Formerly the Freed Professor of Marital and Family Therapy at Fuller Graduate School of Psychology he has trained psychologists and marital and family therapists in couple therapy for over two decades. He is a clinical member and an approved supervisor of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, a member of the National Council on Family Relations, and a Certified Family Life Educator.