Program:
Couples & Sex Therapy Training Program
Course:
Part I: InterAnalytic Couples Therapy (IACT)
Dates/Time:
Jan. 2-May 1, 2025
(Case Consultation: 10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m. PST-TBA)
Lecture: 12:00 p.m. 12:15 – 3:00 p.m. PST
Case Consultation: 3:15-4:30 p.m. PST
Location:
Online live class via Zoom platform
Description
Part I: InterAnalytic Couples Therapy (IACT) is offered to all mental health professionals, and is designed to incorporate multiple instructional levels (introductory, intermediate and advanced). IACT incorporates concepts from Right Brain Psychotherapy into the treatment of common couples issues including Affect Dysregulation, Conflict/Communication, Closeness/Attachment, and Transference. Each live online class features a lecture with a Power Point slideshow, and clinical application which includes demonstrations and role plays. There is also assigned reading and case consultation with instructors. Depending on the number of registrants, a morning case consultation course may be added.
Learning Objectives
This course is designed to help participants:
- Describe two styles of affect dysregulation and two responses to affect dysregulation
- Assess the affect dysregulation style and response of each member in a relationship
- Apply five explicit affect regulation skills to clinical work
- Describe four components of implicit autonomic co-regulation
- Describe five traits of a mindful therapist
- Utilize three interventions for managing anger
- Discuss why couples therapy is contraindicated in cases of intimate partner violence
- Apply the Dialogue of Emotional Intimacy treatment intervention to clinical work
- Match four difficult issues in couples therapy with effective interventions
- Discuss how cultural diversity affects all clinicians
- Provide at least three components of a personal action plan for providing culturally competent treatment
- Demonstrate couples therapy skills in role playing triads
And more……
Educational Goals
- Provide mental health professionals with techniques that effectively integrate couples therapy and sex therapy in a clinical practice.
- Provide new competencies and knowledge to mental health professionals by presenting new research findings (i.e. interpersonal neurobiology, affect regulation, right brain psychotherapy) and integrate these findings into existing education, theoretical models, and clinical approaches to the field of couples and sex therapy.
- Advance existing skills and competence in the field of couples and sex therapy to better equip mental health professionals to serve the needs of the public.
- Promote research endeavors by mental health professionals in the field of couples and sex therapy in order to contribute to the discipline of psychology as a whole.
Topics
- Right Brain Psychotherapy with Couples: The Importance of Interpersonal Synchrony
- The Dialogue of Emotional Intimacy
- Conflict/Disconnection
- Closeness/Attachment
- Transference
- Clinical Application
- High Conflict Couples/Intimate Partner Violence
- Specific Challenges in Couples Therapy
- LGBTQ+ Relationship Therapy
- Different Types of Couples Therapy
- Separation and Divorce
- Consensual Nonmonogamy
- Nonconsensual Nonmonogamy
- Clinical Application
- Couples and Sex Therapy
- Trauma and Couples Therapy
- Culturally Diverse Couples Therapy
Instructors
Wendy Cherry, Psy.D, a licensed psychotherapist, is the co-founder and Executive Director of The American Association of Couples and Sex Therapists (AACAST), and the Co-Director of the Couples and Sex Therapy Training Program at UCLA. She trained with renowned couples therapist Dr. Walter Brackelmanns for almost two decades, and is an accomplished educator, lecturer and public speaker for numerous universities, organizations and businesses. Dr. Cherry furthers her knowledge in the field of Interpersonal Neurobiology with membership in Dr. Allan Schore’s Right Brain Psychotherapy study group. She has the distinction of being trained in both business management and as a mental health professional. Prior to her work in the field of psychology, Wendy created and directed one of the very first Internet companies, becoming a well-known media expert on internet issues in the Los Angeles area. She has appeared on numerous television news shows, including Fox 11, Channel 9, Channel 5, and also on Extra! and Inside Edition. Dr. Cherry has a private practice in Encino, CA specializing in couples and sex therapy.
Patrick Jensen, MFT, a Marriage and Family Therapist, was fundamental in the creation of AACAST as a membership organization and also one of the very first AACAST Certified Couples and Sex Therapists, trained directly by AACAST co-founder Dr. Walter Brackelmanns. Patrick received training in psychodynamic psychotherapy working with individuals, families and children at The Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills, CA, as well as training in solution-focused, LGBT-affirmative psychotherapy at the LA LGBT Center in Hollywood, CA. He has also received specialized training in working with trauma and anger management issues, an ABIP-certified Domestic Violence Counselor, and an EMDRIA-certified EMDR Therapist. Previously the Director of Marketing, Patrick is currently Co-Director of the Couples and Sex Therapy Training Program of the Department of Adult Psychiatry, the Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, an AACAST Clinical Supervisor, and in private practice in Studio City.
Satisfactory Completion
Participants must attend each lecture from 12:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. to receive 2 CE credit hours for that day’s lecture. CE credit is not available for missed classes. Participants must have paid tuition fee, signed in for each class, completed an evaluation, and signed out of each class in order to receive a certificate. Failure to sign in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the class. No exceptions will be made. CE certificates are available after course completion in exchange for a completed course evaluation.
Refund Policy
All course cancellations and requests for refunds must be made in writing. Telephone requests will not be honored. Letters and/or an e-mail to the Executive Director should be received no later than 15 days prior to the first day of the course to receive a full refund of the course payments. An exception is made in the case of an emergency situation defined as the death or illness of registrant or a family member. In case of emergency, a full refund will be issued. In the case of a withdrawal from the course after the course has started, for any reason, the refund will consist of a prorated amount based on attendance, minus a $50.00 administrative fee. All refund requests should be made in writing and sent to: AACAST, Attn: Wendy Cherry, Executive Director, 1072 Katherine Rd., Santa Susana, CA 93063 or by e-mail at Wendy@aacast.net.
Accommodations for Disabilities
Participants who have a disability and require special assistance should contact Wendy Cherry, Psy.D. by email at Wendy@aacast.net or by phone at (818) 540-8657.
Grievances, issues, or concerns regarding the conference or registration should be addressed in writing and submitted to Wendy@aacast.net.
The Affirmative Couch, LLC is co-sponsoring this event with AACAST. The Affirmative Couch, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Affirmative Couch, LLC and AACAST maintain responsibility for this program and its content. The BBS also recognizes The Affirmative Couch CE credit for their licenses.
