Working with one; thinking about many. Individuals with relationship problems
Tracks
Track 9
| Sunday, May 17, 2020 |
| 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
Presenter(s)
Ms Elisabeth Shaw
BA(Hons) Masters in Couple & Family Therapy; MMgt (Comm); MProfEthics
Relationships Australia NSW
Working with one; thinking about many. Individuals with relationship problems
10:30 AM - 2:30 PMAssumed knowledge of attendee
Intermediate (working knowledge of topic area e.g., treated a few cases)
Level of learning
Introductory
Outline
This workshop will assist clinicians who work with individuals to more effectively work with relationship issues - some of the most common presenting problems in practice. Even when working individually, it is not uncommon to find yourself providing “accidental” couple or family interviews when asked by clients, sometimes when a partner or child appears in the waiting room unexpectedly!
A recent report (AIFS, 2015) found that only one in five couples having relationship problems seek professional help. We also know that a vast number of people presenting for individual counselling are presenting relationship issues. However, the research found that 40 per cent of couples who divorce had not sought couple counselling before splitting up. Are we as clinicians confidently conceptualising individual issues as couple issues and inviting partners in or making a good referral? This is an important area for clinicians to be aware of and confident in, and yet can be very daunting.
In couple and family therapy the relationship itself becomes the client and is foregrounded in the room whilst individual issues form the background. This is a complex dance between clinical assessment and conceptualising of a relationship, and this informs decisions about how to intervene. When is couple and family therapy the better approach? What outcomes does relationship work really achieve over and above individual work?
Patterns of abandonment and rejection in relationships, the dance people do with each other because of their own attachment issues, or past lenses, templates, and schemas (emotional and relational) they bring to the relationship and how these play out can be very powerful intersections for intervention.
This workshop will assist to conceptualise, explore and plan interventions when working individually with complex relational dynamics.
A recent report (AIFS, 2015) found that only one in five couples having relationship problems seek professional help. We also know that a vast number of people presenting for individual counselling are presenting relationship issues. However, the research found that 40 per cent of couples who divorce had not sought couple counselling before splitting up. Are we as clinicians confidently conceptualising individual issues as couple issues and inviting partners in or making a good referral? This is an important area for clinicians to be aware of and confident in, and yet can be very daunting.
In couple and family therapy the relationship itself becomes the client and is foregrounded in the room whilst individual issues form the background. This is a complex dance between clinical assessment and conceptualising of a relationship, and this informs decisions about how to intervene. When is couple and family therapy the better approach? What outcomes does relationship work really achieve over and above individual work?
Patterns of abandonment and rejection in relationships, the dance people do with each other because of their own attachment issues, or past lenses, templates, and schemas (emotional and relational) they bring to the relationship and how these play out can be very powerful intersections for intervention.
This workshop will assist to conceptualise, explore and plan interventions when working individually with complex relational dynamics.
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of this workshop, participants should be able to:
• Conceptualise relationally about the presenting problems of individuals
• Build on their skills to enhance assessment and planning effective intervention.
• Know when and how to confidently refer and to case plan about the role of individual and relational work.
• Plan for their own career development in relation to couple and family practice.
• Conceptualise relationally about the presenting problems of individuals
• Build on their skills to enhance assessment and planning effective intervention.
• Know when and how to confidently refer and to case plan about the role of individual and relational work.
• Plan for their own career development in relation to couple and family practice.
Biography
Elisabeth is CEO of Relationships Australia NSW, and a clinical and counselling psychologist focusing on couple and family therapy, supervision & training in private practice in Drummoyne, NSW. She has taught in a number of Masters programs in couple and family therapy and professional ethics, and published work in areas of relational ethics, domestic violence, couple and family practice and supervision. She is co editor of Couple Therapy in Australia, Issues Emerging from Practice (2007, Melb.:PsychOz) and co author of Ethical Maturity in the Helping Professions, Making Difficult Life and Work Decisions (2012, Melb.:PsychOz; 2013 JKP:UK), as well as numerous chapters and articles on relational practice, ethics, and supervision. She is past chair of the APS and PACFA Ethics Committees.
Ms Megan Solomon
Working with one; thinking about many. Individuals with relationship problems
10:30 AM - 2:30 PMBiography
Megan Solomon is an experienced practice leader, providing strategic professional oversight of clinical practice, change management, piloting and evaluating new interventions/ models/ programs and implementing new services. She holds a Master’s Degree in Couple and Family therapy with experience in professional service delivery, clinical supervision, training, and the development and assessment of a professional workforce. She has over 10 years’ experience at a senior level in practice management and development of a range of services managing complex child protection, domestic violence, suicidal, mental health and family law issues. She has written and presented on professional development training packages in therapeutic work with children and families after separation, suicide, case management, couple and family therapy.
