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Family Counseling: Working with Family Dyads

Most counselors are well trained in techniques for working with individuals. Yet we are often asked to work with troubled dyads, either adult partners or parent and child. This course will provide a foundation for effective conjoint counseling offering a theoretical framework and specific evidence-based and clinically tested interventions. We will discuss the differences between individual and conjoint counseling techniques and how to:

  • recognize functional and dysfunctional patterns in dyad interaction
  • set up a session and keep track of both process and content
  • intervene when only one member of the dyad is available
  • stay neutral and empathetic in dealing with conflict
  • facilitate change using behavioral techniques (Gottman) and/or intrapersonal techniques (Johnson)

Donna Hilleboe Demuth, LCSW has had long experience as a teacher, consultant, and clinician in a variety of social work settings. She was invited to be a member of Satir's Avanta Network and is a Founding Member of the American Family Therapy Academy, and, locally, of the Board of Kids First. Her experience as mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother informs her ability to create a safe environment for learning.


2 Thursdays, September 24 and October 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Registration has ended. Please browse courses for future offerings of this course.

$265 (12 contact hours/ 1.2 CEUs)