All couples inevitably face difficult situational challenges from time-to-time. When spouses react to these issues with strong emotions, fighting, giving up on what they want, or by avoiding the topic, their initially loving connection is likely to deteriorate. This workshop teaches strategies for enabling couples to resolve their challenges cooperatively, first within the therapy session, and eventually on their own. The goal of treatment thus is to enable couples to enjoy and sustain an on-going collaborative and affectionate partnership, that is, a secure and loving attachment.
Course Outline
- Session 1: Digging deeper—Core concerns and the flipping of cyclic psychodynamics
- Session 2: Drill baby drill—Techniques for teaching and strengthening communication skills
- Session 3: Overcoming narcissism and ADD—Techniques for enhancing listening skills
- Session 4: Problem-solving 101—Techniques for guiding conflict resolution
- Session 5: Taming tigers—Techniques for dealing with anger
- Session 6: Love is...?—Techniques for increasing positive emotional interactions, ie, for enhancing love
The course is ideal for currently practicing couples therapists or for individual therapy practitioners who would like to add couples treatment to their areas of expertise.
Prerequisites
Participation in Dr. Heitler’s prior couples therapy trainings, OR
Familiarity with Dr. Heitler’s main ideas from her books: From Conflict to Resolution (an integrative map of the therapeutic process), The Power of Two (on communication skills), and Prescriptions Without Pills (for alleviating depression, anger, anxiety, etc), OR if you are an experienced couple therapist and would like to further advance your skillset.
Words of Appreciation from Past Participants:
“I absolutely loved the Couples training with Dr Heitler.
Her novel approach takes into account not just skills based therapies or psychodynamic therapies, but also addresses conflict resolution, a much needed component in couples work.
Above all, it was a privilege to learn from someone deeply human who believes in and encourages resilience and room for growth and change in the couple unit.
I carry so many parts of what I learnt in her course into much of my individual therapy work too!
I will be forever grateful to have had the privilege of this transformational training.”
~Liza Kramer, MSc
“Dr Heitler’s courses provide insight and skills from a top professional who is able to educate and engage other therapists by demonstrating her unique therapy style. This is a wonderful opportunity to see how Dr Heitler manages to calmly tackle every situation with empathy, understanding and her wonderful sense of humor!”
~Lisa Lawrence, MA
“After participating in three of Dr. Heitler's courses for couples therapists, I can say that her methodology and teaching has truly benefited my practice. I find myself consistently turning to her conflict and resolution techniques in guiding my couples toward mutually satisfying solutions and improved communication.
Dr. Heitler is not only a master of her craft, but she is a natural teacher. Her guidance and support throughout the course and beyond was invaluable. I’d recommend her courses to any therapist looking to implement practical and logical tools for positive change. Dr. Heitler has a unique ability to get to the heart of the matter and your clients will definitely reap the benefits.”
~Miriam Shaviv, MSc
Dr. Susan Heitler, formerly of Denver and now living in Israel, has practiced as a clinical psychologist with a specialty in couples therapy for over 45 years. During this time, Dr. Heitler has published:
- Two books on psychotherapy theory and technique: From Conflict to Resolution: Skills and Strategies for Therapy with Individuals, Couples, and Families and Prescriptions Without Pills: For Relief From Depression, Anger, Anxiety, and More. A book for families on how to stop thumb-sucking, The Power of Two book and workbook on skills for marriage success.
- over 300 psychologytoday blogposts, which all together have received over 24 million reads.
- a TEDx talk on lifting depression that has garnered over 1.25 million views.
- a master-therapist video The Angry Couple that has been used internationally in couples therapy training programs for over twenty years
- a podcast on techniques for couples therapy, now available for free, Working With Couples in Conflict.
