Beyond Couples Therapy: Polyamory and the Developmental Model—NEAFAST Peer Consultation Group

Mondays Bimonthly
March 6-August 21, 2023; 12-1:30pm ET
18 CEs | Live On Zoom
Facilitator: James Bridges, PhD, LMFT

Beyond Couples Therapy is a 12-week (6-month), 18 CE peer consultation group on consensual non-monogamy, the process of polyamory, and the Developmental Model. The group will be semi-structured, with psychoeducation, clinical consultation, and group reflection exercises. The group will be utilizing Polyamory: A Clinical Toolkit for Therapists (and Their Clients) by Martha Kauppi as the main text resource.

The group will invite participants to learn more psychoeducation around non-monogamy and polyamory, as well as reflect on the socialization of relationships and narratives around monogamy. Participants will be invited to identify their biases, beliefs, and values on the process of non-monogamy, and learn how to conceptualize common presenting problems around consensual non-monogamy. Participants will learn to determine the decision-making body, assist in effective goal setting, and aid clients in making healthy agreements and naming desires. Participants will also develop strategies for working with the complicated factors of consensual non-monogamy, including addressing jealousy in therapy, doing repair work when agreements are broken, and working with unique structures. The group will utilize elements from the Developmental Model for Couples Therapy. Participants will learn how to encourage differentiation, and use the initiator and inquirer exercise, two-chair interventions, and strategies for managing co-regulation expectations.

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be better able to:

1. Identify five elements of their own biases, beliefs, values, and socialization around relationships, monogamy, non-monogamy, and polyamory.
2. Describe five concepts related to non-monogamy and the Developmental Model.
3. Name five key tasks in therapy when working with polyamorous client systems.
4. Apply five interventions within the Developmental Model for Couples Therapy to conceptualize issues polyamorous relationship structures experience.
5. Describe five skills and strategies for working with clients navigating polyamory or wanting to be polyamorous.

Program Dates: March 6, March 20, April 3, April 17, May 1, May 15, June 5, June 19, July 10, July 24, August 7, August 21, 2023

Schedule (all times in ET):
12-12:15pm: Review of goals for the day, feedback from previous group meetings
12:15-12:30pm: Review of content from Polyamory: A Clinical Toolkit for Therapists (and Their Clients) by Martha Kauppi
12:30-12:45pm: Identification of relational therapy strategies from the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy
12:45-1:15pm: Case studies
1:15-1:30pm: Review of group meeting, identification of goals for next meeting (and the time in between)

Pricing:
Free for Members (no CEs)
$80 for Non-Members (no CEs)
$180 for Members (with CEs)
$216 for Non-Members (with CEs)
Become an NEAFAST Member!

Sign Up for Beyond Couples Therapy Here!

James Bridges, PhD, LMFT is a Licensed Couple and Family Therapist in Massachusetts, a Certified Family Life Educator through NCFR, AAMFT approved supervisor and clinical fellow, and part-time faculty at National University in the MFT Masters and Doctoral programs. He received his Doctoral and Master’s degrees in Couple and Family Therapy from Kansas State University. He also received two graduate certificates in Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies and Social Justice Education from Kansas State University. James’ main clinical specialization is working with queer and non-monogamous relationship structures. He utilizes the developmental model of couples therapy for most of his work. His research has included several topics including mental health for sexual minorities in religiously conservative communities, intimate partner violence, privilege awareness for couple and family therapists, and self-of-the-therapist issues. He provides trainings on utilizing the developmental model when working with alternative relationship structures.

This activity is pending certification by the New England Association for Family and Systemic Therapy (NEAFAST) on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health & Human Services Professions for LMFT professional continuing education.

This activity is pending certification by the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health & Human Services Professions for LMHC professional continuing education.

This activity is pending certification by the National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health & Human Services Professions for LICSW professional continuing education.

Please note: It is the participant’s responsibility to check with their individual state boards to verify CE requirements for their state.

This program is being offered independent of any commercial support or conflict of interest. Clinicians with any level of experience are welcome to participate.

Cancellation Policy: Please email us at [email protected] if you are unable to make it. We will give a full reimbursement for cancellations prior to March 1, 2023.