Couples Therapy: Effective Clinical Techniques for Culturally Diverse Clients

Date course created: March 2023

Most traditional couples’ counseling approaches are grounded in Eurocentric and heteronormative cultural assumptions and ideas about gender expression, gender roles, common concerns, etc. They often ignore the role of race, culture, sexual orientation, gender, and the intersection of identities on couples’ presenting issues. Our collective approach to couples work needs a cultural refresh, lest we run the risk of failing to reach a growing segment of couples in need.

This training will focus on working with diverse couples in counseling. Effective treatment of diverse couples includes an exploration of racial, cultural, gender, and other identities. This training will teach couples’ counselors how to identify relevant cultural issues and their impact on couples. Specifically, this training will introduce effective treatment strategies for LGBTQIA+, interracial/intercultural, and couples of color. Existing couple’s treatment modalities such as emotion focused couple therapy, Gottmans’ methods, cognitive behavioral, IMAGO, integrative, and psychodynamic therapies will be reviewed and adaptations for diverse couples will be discussed. Culturally sensitive assessment methods will be provided. Specific suggestions for developing counselor and couple cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity will be included.

**This is a 2-CE noninteractive, self-paced online video course delivered in home study format via an industry-standard online learning platform**

Agenda:

00:00 – 00:45: Impact of ‘isms’ & stereotypes in counseling

00:45 – 01:30: Adapting treatment models

01:30 – 02:10: Gottman’s Sound Relationship House Theory

Objectives:

This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:

a). After completing this training, participants will be able to learn and practice assessing couples’ intersecting identities and the impact of these identities on their presenting issues.

b). After completing this training, participants will be able to apply and adapt existing treatment models for diverse couples in culturally sensitive ways.

c). After completing this training, participants will be able to understand the importance of exploring one’s own biases and the impact these biases may have on couples’ treatment.

d). After completing this training, participants will be able to learn and practice effectively engaging couples in culturally sensitive dialogues throughout the counseling process.

Target Audience:

Mental Health Clinicians & Therapists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Marriage & Family Therapists, Counselors, School Personnel, Youth Development Workers; Healthcare Workers

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Instructor(s): Katherine Helm, PhD

Material Author(s): Katherine Helm, PhD

Katherine Helm, PhD is a Professor of Psychology and Director of Graduate Programs in Counseling at Lewis University, Romeoville, IL. She is also a practicing psychologist in part-time private where she sees individuals and couples. Katherine has authored several publications about racial and cultural issues in mental health, couples’ issues, and pedagogy in multicultural courses and has an extensive background facilitating counselor trainings. Katherine has had several media appearances on radio and video and is a TEDx speaker. She is a sought-after author, presenter, public speaker, professional trainer, and clinical supervisor.

For additional information about this course, the instructors, or the material authors, please contact Content Assistance at content@onlinececredits.com.

Course Materials & Delivery Method:

• Course materials – The course is composed of a recorded presentation and written materials (e.g. a slide deck and/or other worksheets, manuals, or handouts as provided by the instructor). The slide deck and any additional worksheets or handouts (as provided by the instructor) are made available inside the Lesson module after a course is purchased.
• Delivery Method – this course is a recorded asynchronous, self-paced webinar training, and there is no access time limit or due date to complete it once enrolled. The enrolled learner will stream the recorded presentation and view the materials from their internet connected device via an industry-standard online learning platform.

CE Approvals:

Online CE Credits has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6795. Programs that do not quality for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Online CE Credits is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Mind Works Professional Education, Inc. DBA Online CE Credits, #1974, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: July 23, 2024 – July 23, 2025. Social workers completing this course receive [see advertisement] asynchronous distance learning continuing education credits.

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