Course Information

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION

This 60-minute workshop, 'Navigating the Whirlwind,' directly addresses the frustrations clinicians face when working with high-conflict couples, offering practical strategies to break through stagnant dynamics. Say goodbye to feeling disregulated by endless arguments and hello to a renewed sense of efficacy. Participants will gain concrete tools to identify patterns, regulate their own nervous systems, and apply proven therapeutic models, fostering tangible progress and transforming the therapeutic experience from draining to empowering. Learn to guide couples out of their entrenched positions and into healthier, more productive interactions.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to:
● Define four key characteristics of high-conflict couples, focusing on observable behaviors during the initial consultation.
● Explain two aspects of the autonomic nervous system's role in emotional flooding during high-conflict interactions.
● List three techniques for clinicians to regulate their own nervous system responses when working with high-conflict couples.
● Describe two sociocultural factors, including power imbalances and gender roles, that contribute to conflict dynamics in couples.

EDUCATIONAL GOALS

This workshop aims to equip clinicians with the tools to effectively navigate the complexities of high-conflict couples. Participants will learn to recognize and define the distinct patterns of these couples, particularly as they manifest in initial consultations, and understand how attachment and trauma fuel conflict escalation. We will explore the nervous system's role in emotional flooding and provide practical self-regulation techniques for clinicians. Through case analysis and role-playing, participants will apply therapeutic models like Relational Life Therapy, the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy, and the Gottman Method, while also gaining a deeper understanding of sociocultural influences and the importance of cultural humility in their work.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

David F. Khalili, LMFT is the Owner and Clinical Director of Rouse Relational Wellness and Rouse Academy. With extensive
experience in couples therapy and specialization in working with queer, kinky, and polyamorous communities, David brings a unique perspective to understanding and treating high-conflict dynamics. He is known for his expertise in integrating multiple therapeutic modalities and his commitment to reducing shame and anxiety in relationships.

CE Info

Rouse Academy (CEPA Provider # 1000132) is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs licensed through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Rouse Academy maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

Contact Information: For any inquiries related to subject matter guidance, correction, grading, comments, or problem resolution please contact us at [email protected]. For accommodations for disabilities, please contact David F. Khalili at 415-448-6743 or [email protected].

Completion Requirements: To receive your CE certificate, you must watch the entire workshop, obtain a score of 70% or higher on a course completion quiz, and complete an evaluation. The quiz may be taken as many times as needed to pass. The certificate will be awarded after completing the evaluation.

Grievance Policy: If there is a grievance, participants will be asked to put their concerns in writing to Aubri Lancaster. If the grievance concerns the instructor, content, or presentation style, the individual filing the grievance will be asked to put his/her comments in written format. The participant will receive a written response in 1-2 business days. When necessary, a full refund may be provided.