Sometimes, out of a desire to embrace and contain the difficulties of our patients, we ignore their ability to abuse and manipulate each other, and us. Spouses use manipulations, lies and punishments, far more than most professionals are willing to admit. The ability of spouses to read each other’s minds is enormous, and many of them make extensive use of this ability to hurt each other.
When couple therapists become aware of these manipulations and responds to them sharply and efficiently, therapy takes a sharp turn. Therapy becomes alive, unsafe, and yet, faster and more focused.
The main goal of the workshop is to help therapists become skilled in quickly identifying power struggles and tools couple uses in their relationship. Therapists reported that after starting to use the skills acquired in the workshop, their treatments became more effective and more enjoyable.
