During our uncertain times committed primary couple relationships are facing increasingly complex issues and as a result challenging relating. Perceived acts of betrayal or secrecy within committed relationships can rupture the natural flow of important norms of intimate connection. Many contextual factors can complicate issues of what is private versus secret, and what form of communication or relating represents betrayal and why. These factors include, social media use, access to pornography and sex work, social isolation restrictions in the times of COVID, periods of long distance relating, separated or blended family structures, and at times each individuals’ overwhelming and competing life demands. As Esther Peral (2007) unpacks in Mating in Captivity a modern primary committed relationship is looked to function as secure base, providing both practical and domestic support and emotional and sexual intimacy. This is a challenging load and ruptures to connection are understandably common. Many couples, unwilling or unable to separate for psychological, emotional, familial and financial reasons, and will settle for a less than satisfying experience relating, in essence building a defensive wall around the rupture event, their internal experience and the impacted area of their relating. The pain of relationship rupture in these forms is often endured or repeatedly cycled through with mental health consequences for one or both members of the couple. However, using processes drawn from CFT and EFT, this kind of couple distress can an opportunity for the deepening of intimate emotional relating, the healing of old wounds and the establishment of better skills of emotional regulation (for the individuals) and the co-regulation of emotions (for the couple). Preliminary research in marital satisfaction suggest the mediating factors of resilience and self-compassion (Amani & Khosroshahi, 2020), while high psychological flexibility and self-compassion has been shown to mediate chaotic-enmeshment and anxiety in family functioning (Berryhill, Hayes & Lloyd, 2018). Drawing from her 23 years of clinical practice, personal journey of conscious relating, and wide variety of resources from this fascinating area, most specifically CFT and EFT, this workshop will impart conceptual frameworks and practical powerful processes that can be used directly in couples therapy to navigate this delicate terrain and improve individual life satisfaction and couple relationship quality.
Kate Mutimer is a psychologist with 20 years experience working with individuals and groups in community health and organisational settings. Kate is a meditation and compassion teacher and a trained Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) teacher. She has specialist knowledge and extensive experience in practicing psychotherapy and facilitating change. Kate’s clinical background includes clinical assessment and treatment of depression, anxiety and personality disorders, adolescent and family counseling, working with issues of sexuality, relationships and identity. Kate has also spent time lecturing at QUT and Griffith University in Change Management, group facilitation, applied counseling psychology and family studies. Currently, Kate Works in private practice and within workplace wellbeing initiatives, providing a broad range of mental health, stress management and other lifestyle solutions. Kate is registered as a generalist Psychologist with AHPRA. She is also a full member of the Australian Psychological Society.
Learning objectives of this training:
“What’s difficult in life is to stay centred when somebody does or says something that tempts us to close our hearts because their heart was closed. That is hard. But that is also how we grow. We go through those circumstances in order to evolve into people who can hold to our loving centre no matter what the world throws at us.” Marianne Williamson
How will you benefit from attending this training?
Morning Session (includes a short break)
Afternoon Session (includes a short break)
This seminar has been designed to extend the clinical knowledge and applied skill of Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Mental Health Nurses and Psychiatrists working who work with couples.
Morning Session
9:00am - 12:45pm
Includes a short break at 10:45pm
Lunch Break
12:45pm - 1:45pm
Afternoon Session
1:45pm - 5:00pm
Includes a short break at 3:15pm
COVID-19 AND YOUR SAFETY
Our venue is registered with Service NSW as a 'Covid Safe' venue.
You will be required to checkin via our QR code and to abide by the safety measures current at the time and in line with public health orders. These will be advised in your pre-event reminder/information emails.
In the interest of everone's safety, PDP reserves the right to deny entry to any participant who chooses not to follow the current COVID safety plans.
ACCESSIBILITY
This venue offers wheelchair access from the Brown Street entrance.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
4 minute walk from Chatswood train/metro/bus interchange
PARKING
Links to reasonable early-bird parking close to the venue:
https://www.secureparking.com.au/en-au/car-parks/australia/new-south-wales/sydney/lower-north-shore-and-northern-beaches/zenith-centre-car-park
NOURISHMENT
All day tea, coffee and chilled water are provided.
We have a fridge and two microwave ovens should you wish to bring your own food.
The venue has a cafe on the ground floor and is surrounded by cafes and restaurants inlcuding an extensive foodhall above the Chatswood Interchange.
ACCOMODATION
Mantra Hotel is next door to the venue: website here
Meriton Suites is a 4 minute walk from the venue: website here
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