VAMFT Conference - September 22, 2006

Most workshops focus only on what to do to make therapy effective. But we all know that mistakes are common in therapy and particularly in couples' therapy which Jay Haley once said is the most difficult of all therapy to do well. This workshop will have something for both beginning and experienced therapists, each of whom tends to make different mistakes. Since therapists destroy their most self-incriminating tapes, the best examples of bad couples' therapy, comes from films. Several clips will be shown and analyzed, along with gripping real case video of a woman pondering whether to her family or go off with her lover. The workshop will also describe how therapists' values about committment influence work with couples, for better or worse, and how we mess up so frequently (and could do better) with remarried couples.

This highly practical workshop will make your marriage and couples' therapy more effective, whatever your model.

For directions to the Expo Center go to www.fredericksburgexpocenter.com

William J. Doherty, Ph.D. is a professor of Family Social Science and Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at the University of Minnesota. He presents workshops nationally and internationally. He has received the Significant Contribution to the Field of Marriage and Family Therapy Award from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Citing his work on morality and community in therapy, and his book, Soul Searching, the Utne Rader magazine identified him as one of the ten most innovative therapists practicing in the United States. He recently co-founded the National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapists as a way to connect distressed couples to seasoned marriage therapists who can support them on their journey (www.marriagefriendlytherapists.com). His workshops are noted for clarity, organization, challenge, humour and practical applicability.

Participants, at the end of this workshop will be able to:

1. Describe common beginners' mistakes in couples therapy
2. Describe common experienced therapists' mistakes in couples' therapy
3. Explain best practices that cut across models of couples' therapy
4. Discuss how therapists' values influence how they deal with committment issues in couples therapy.