Course DT303: Couple Therapy

Objective:	To understand the interlocking dynamics of two styles of life. To learn the strategies and techniques of couple therapy which are based on the principles of individual psychotherapy. To trace the cultural norms of sexual equality and dominance. To establish criteria for optimal couple functioning.
Reading:	Selected published articles and unpublished manuscripts on couple therapy, by Alfred Adler and Alexander Mueller. Handouts from the five-day master seminar.
Audio:	Love, Sex, Work, & Money: Helping Couples Cooperate , a five-day master seminar conducted by Henry Stein. (Thirty hours)
E-mail:	Comments and questions.
Discussion:	Five hours of telephone conferencing.
Time:	Five weeks.
Cost:	$1,080.00
Note:	Prerequisite: Courses DT101, DT102A, DT102B, DT201, DT301, DT302A, DT302B

Outline of Course Content

MAJOR INFLUENCES IN RELATIONSHIPS

Roots of male and female roles: historical perspectives on equality and inequality; cooperation, domination, subordination, privilege and protest; problems during transition periods.
Influences of culture and religion.
Imprint of parents and grandparents: assets of respect, love, and encouragement; obstacles of pampering, neglect, coercion, and abuse.
Imprint of siblings: training in cooperation, sharing and helping, or competition and rivalry.
Adolescent experimentation with roles, behavior, and feelings; prototypes for approaching other sex.

DYNAMICS AND IDEALS OF LOVE, COOPERATION, AND INTIMACY

Phases of creating and developing a relationship: searching for an ideal, attraction to qualities, expectations, insight.
Early dating: using bait, testing limits. Sexual motives. Falling in love with person or fantasy.
Solving first differences, style of conquering difficulties. Living together, monogamy/open relationship, marriage.
Changes and growth in couple. Components of emotional, mental, and physical intimacy.
Synergistic and conflicting philosophies of life. Ideals of creative love: Alfred Adler, Abraham Maslow, and Milton Mayeroff.

EVALUATING COUPLES: COMPLEMENTARY ISSUES

Interview sequence and strategies: individual and joint sessions; questionnaires, interest and trait inventories; pathology testing; chemical abuse and dependency.
Individual histories including childhood memories and family constellation. Relationship histories: first encounter, attraction, decisions, difficulties.
Overview of previous therapy.
Diagnostic conclusions: creating and comparing life style summaries of each person.
Treatment plan: unfinished emotional business, correcting mistaken ideas and goals, developing missing qualities.

STAGES OF TREATMENT: INDIVIDUAL AND COUPLE

Early stage: meeting with couple to air complaints and views of difficulties; individual, confidential interviews for elaboration.
Middle stage: individual psychotherapy or counseling to build self-esteem, gain insight, and correct mistakes; encouragement for each to move in a new, unfamiliar direction; creating climate of experimentation.
Later stage: working with couple to verify and reinforce improvements; building up recognition, appreciation, and trust.

SPECIAL ISSUES: SEX, MONEY, CAREERS, AND ADDICTIONS

Sexual: positive and negative uses of sexual feeling and behavior; sexual dysfunction and other symptoms.
Financial: the meaning of money as security, affection, prestige, power, freedom, or exchange.
Division of labor: housekeeping, shopping, cooking, child care.
Careers: levels of ambition, assigned importance, competition.
In-laws: territorial issues, unfinished issues from childhood. Recreation and vacations.
Addictions: alcohol, drugs, food, money, co-dependency. Physical and emotional abuse. Religious and cultural differences. Gay issues.

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Distance Training Course
DT303: Couple Therapy
Tuition: $1,080.00