THE DYNAMICS OF DIVORCE
How an Understanding of Transference and Countertransference Promotes Effective Work with Divorcing Parents
This program was offered on December 2, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
"...contact with some families may result in professional(s) or their institutions becoming involved unknowingly in a drama which reflects a situation in the relationship of the family or within the minds of some of the individual members; and that this is not recognized but expressed in action." Ronald Britton, ‘Reenactment As An Unwitting Professional Response to Family Dynamics’
The emotional distress associated with divorce and the legal proceedings that surround it often result in a decision to involve children, their parents, and/or the family in psychotherapy. It is essential that these individuals receive appropriate, unbiased treatment from therapists who possess the requisite expertise to work in the context of a court case. Clinicians who undertake treatment without adequate expertise, when the individual is involved in a family-related court case, run the risk of exacerbating, rather than improving, the life situations of the children, their parents, and their family. Not all divorce cases go to litigation in court. However, the principles of protecting the child's therapy and working with the parents still apply.
Objectives
- Participants will be able to identify three transference and three countertransference reactions which typically emerge in the work with divorcing parents.
- Participants will be able to list three strategies which are useful in managing transference and countertransference feelings which emerge in the work with divorcing parents
- Participants will be able to describe three behaviors which parents use to indirectly express concerns about themselves and their children.
Presenters
Sponsored by the Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Training Program and The Adele Lebowitz Center for Youth and Families
Moderator: Denise Fort, Ph.D.
Presenter: Katherine W. Killeen, Ph.D.
Discussant: Elizabeth Miller, M.S.W.
Panel: Louise Volk, M.S.N., Katherine Killeen, Ph.D., Elizabeth Miller, M.S.W.
Location
The Washington School of Psychiatry
5028 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC, 20016
Directions
CEU/CME Award: 3.0
The Washington School of Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to provide continuing education for psychologists. The Washington School maintains responsibility for the program. The School is approved by the Social Work Board of the State of Maryland as a provider of continuing education for social workers. The School is approved by the Medical Society of Maryland (MEDCHI) for continuing education for psychiatrists.
Fee
Conference Fee $90
Graduate students with ID: $25
Registration
Complete and mail or fax the registration form provided on our website at Registration Form, or call the Registrar’s Office with credit card information.
Questions?
Please call Lisa Head at (202) 237-2700.