67th Annual Conference

Thursday, February 25

Morning Workshops

10:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.

Workshop 15

Til Trauma Do Us Part: Helping Couples Heal in the Aftermath of Trauma and Combat Stress

Presented under the auspices of the AGPA Community Outreach Task Force

Chairs:                

Dianne Kane, DSW, CGP, Assistant Director, Counseling Service Dept FDNY, New York, New York

Suzanne Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP, CGP, FAGPA, Faculty, Clinical Doctoral Psychology, Long Island University, Northport, New York

Whether a couple loses a child, faces cancer or struggles with combat stress, the relationship is both the locus of pain and a crucial source of recovery. Trauma symptoms include inevitable loss, anger, disruption of intimacy, and disturbing memories and dreams. Reconnection and recovery is fostered by Couple Psychological First Aid which includes Anger management, Steps for Reclaiming intimacy, Collaborative Dream Work, and a focus on Couple Resilience.

didactic-experiential-demonstration-sharing of work experiences

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Describe the impact of trauma on a couple in terms of symptoms, feelings, behaviors and patterns.
2. Delineate at least three of the strategies for use with and by couples in the aftermath of traumatic events.
3. Discuss how to intervene with couples to normalize, make meaning of trauma's impact and offer strategies for reconnection and recovery.
 

Course References:

Phillips, S. & Kane, D. ( 2008). Healing Together After Trauma: A Couple's Guide to Coping with Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress. Oakland CA: New Harbinger Publications.

Phillips, S. B. ( 2008). Two's company, three's not a crowd: A relational approach to couple intervention after trauma. Group, The Journal of the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society. S. Ben-Noam (Ed.). September 2008, Vol 32.3,pp 191-208.

Johnson, S. (2008) Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love. New York: Little, Brown and Company.