The Couple’s Pyramid: A Systematic Framework for Marriage Therapy That Works

The Couple’s Pyramid: A Systematic Framework for Marriage Therapy That Works

$239.00

Spring : April 3, 2019

Cornwell Center
2001 Selwyn Avenue,
Charlotte, NC 28207
(704) 927 – 0774

Marriage therapy is often considered the most difficult of psychotherapies; in fact, it has been compared to trying to “fly a helicopter into a hurricane.” Matthew Alexander, Ph.D., has created a unique approach to couple therapy which takes the guess work out of the process. It is skill-based, down to earth and impactful. He has used it successfully with hundreds of couples he currently treats in his private practice. He calls it the Couple’s Pyramid.

Most couples enter treatment not knowing how they arrived at this point in their relationship and how they will profit from being in therapy. Dr. Alexander’s developmental model is based on the premise that couples benefit from having a road map of where they are going in couple therapy and how they are going to get there. The two ultimate goals are increased connection and softened conflict. Once these goals are reached, couples are more likely to be able to resolve their own disputes.

Specific Objectives:

  • Identify the ten essential traits of couple therapists
  • Describe five process interventions integral to couple therapy
  • Identify the three most important skills for couples to succeed in long-term relationships
  • Identify strategies to increase commitment, raise consciousness of root causes of discord,  improve communication, disarm conflict and deepen connection in committed partnerships
  • Discuss common blunders made by couple therapists
SKU: N/A Category:

Description

WHO

Need to get 5.5 Category A CE hours?

Practicing as a psychologist, social worker, licensed professional counselor or licensed marriage and family therapist?

A student in graduate school?

Appropriate for beginning level, intermediate level and advanced level

WHY

Want to update and refresh your couple therapy skills?

Want exposure to an innovative, intuitive model for effective couple therapy?

Benefit from a tool-box for immediate use in your practice of couple therapy?

WHAT

Overview:

Marriage therapy is often considered the most difficult of psychotherapies; in fact, it has been compared to trying to “fly a helicopter into a hurricane.” Matthew Alexander, Ph.D., has created a unique approach to couple therapy which takes the guess work out of the process. It is skill-based, down to earth and impactful. He has used it successfully with hundreds of couples he currently treats in his private practice. He calls it the Couple’s Pyramid.

Most couples enter treatment not knowing how they arrived at this point in their relationship and how they will benefit from being in therapy. Dr. Alexander’s developmental model is based on the premise that couples benefit from having a road map of where they are going in couple therapy and how they are going to get there. The ultimate goal is increased connection and softened conflict. Once these goals are reached, couples have the skills to resolve their own disputes.

At the top of the pyramid is commitment. In this initial stage of treatment, the couple’s level of commitment to their marriage is assessed and exercises given to help strengthen their motivation to work on bettering their relationship.

The next stage is consciousness; this crucial stage identifies family of origin issues, personality differences, core repetitive fights and primary emotions driving the couple apart. Consciousness is key; otherwise the couple will not understand nor be able to master the real issues that are being played out in their relationship.

The third stage of the pyramid, communication, focuses on improving skills in speaking and listening.

The fourth stage, conflict resolution, teaches specific emotional regulation skills and de-escalation techniques that allow couples to engage in positive not destructive conflict.

Finally the last stage, connection, identifies ways couples can increase and maintain their closeness.

Each stage can be approached “out of turn” as necessary making the Couple’s Pyramid a flexible and dynamic approach.

Dr. Alexander’s model synthesizes the best of cutting edge, evidence based treatment models already in existence. This engaging and practical workshop is useful to both the experienced and novice couple therapist.

Participants will be given a workbook including all the tools that comprise the Couple’s Pyramid for immediate application to their own clinical practice. The workbook also contains a current bibliotherapy guide for couples, related tools and articles relevant to the practice of successful couple therapy.

Specific goals include:

Identify the ten essential traits of couple therapists

Describe five process interventions integral to couple therapy

Identify the three most important skills for couples to succeed in long-term relationships

Identify strategies to increase commitment, raise consciousness of root causes of discord,  improve communication, disarm conflict and deepen connection in committed partnerships

Discuss common blunders made by couple therapists

The terms marriage therapy and couple therapy are used inter-changeably and the material presented will be applicable to all couples. Relevant movie clips will be used to anchor workshop insights and trigger discussion.

5.5 CE hours (category A) are provided for psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists and licensed professional counselors. It is the participant’s responsibility to check with their individual state boards to verify CE requirements for their state.