Working with Couples in Early Recovery: A Gottman Approach for Therapists

Therapists and addiction professionals readily agree that addiction is a “family disease” but most treatment approaches fail to address the relationship between the individual in recovery and their partner. Despite longitudinal research indicating that a positive couple relationship is correlated with successful long-term recovery, the prevailing norm is to discourage any type of relational approach in early recovery. Early intervention provides tools for couples to navigate the difficult transition from active behavioral and substance disorders to recovery. 

In this two-hour continuing education web conference, Master Certified Gottman Trainer, Dr. Robert Navarra, will integrate over 15-years of his own research with Gottman research developed by relationship experts Drs. John and Julie Gottman. Attendees will learn tools and interventions adapted from the Gottman Method to help couples improve communication, deepen understanding, establish appropriate boundaries, and heal from the impact of addiction. Applications of the model can be adapted in treatment programs as well as in individual and group couple work.

This intermediate instructional level web conference is designed to help clinicians:

1. Identify and describe three components of successful couple recovery. 
2. Define and differentiate interdependency from codependency.
3. Explain the impact of addiction and recovery processes on the couple relationship.
4. Explain four strategies therapists can employ to strengthen couple recovery. 
5. Describe two interventions and strategies for helping couples manage trauma in early and ongoing recovery.

If you have any questions or concerns about this web conference, or would like more information, please contact us here.

Event Reviews from Members

Excellent discussion of a completely overlooked topic! Addiction is most definitely a systemic and "connection" issue and needs to be treated as such! - Nikki Coffelt, PhD

Dr. Navarra clearly knows this topic well and he's very dedicated to getting the Couples Model into treatment centers. Very new and interesting topic! - Rosemary Ann Lutus, LMFT

Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety. 

GoodTherapy.org is an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within Counseling Services. 

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395.

GoodTherapy.org, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031. 

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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