Description
The disclosure of an affair is among the most devastating and painful experiences that couples face. It is also one of the most challenging and complicated problems encountered in therapy. This workshop will examine various forms of infidelity, the impact of its discovery on each spouse and the marriage, and issues of recovery and treatment. Some of the challenges encountered in treatment include how much information about the affair should be disclosed; how to help with shattered trust, hypervigilance, and anxiety; and how to build empathy between the partners. Some important insights that have been gained in understanding and treating infidelity and affairs will be reviewed. In addition, a framework for the treatment of infidelity rooted in Relationship Enhancement Therapy will be presented.
Instructor
Dr. Rob Scuka is a Maryland licensed clinical social worker and has been meeting the diverse and complex needs of couples, families, and individuals for the past 15 years.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Rob is Executive Director of the National Institute of Relationship Enhancement® (NIRE) in Bethesda, MD, where he is also a member of NIRE’s training faculty and certified as a trainer and supervisor in relationship enhancement (RE) Therapy, the RE Program, and child-centered play therapy.
Dr. Rob is the author of numerous articles and the book, Relationship Enhancement Therapy: Healing Through Deep Empathy and Intimate Dialogue, published by Routledge in 2005. He holds a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) from the University of Maryland School of Social Work (1994) and has served as an adjunct faculty. Dr. Rob has a Ph.D. in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Southern Methodist University.
Agenda & Learning Objectives
AGENDA:
| 08:50 |
Log On |
| 9:00 |
Lecture |
| 10:45 |
Break |
| 11:00 |
Lecture (Continued) |
| 12:15 |
Questions & Adjournment |
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Recall two complementary perspectives in the treatment of infidelity
- Identify key thematic considerations in understanding and treating infidelity, including pitfalls to avoid
- Describe how to explain the issue of confidentiality in couples therapy with clients
- Describe how to use a couple’s dialogue process to facilitate the couple’s work of emotional healing.
Bibliography & References
BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES
Selected Bibliography
Infidelity, Affairs and Treatment Approaches
Brown, E. M. (1991). Patterns of infidelity and their treatment. New York: Brunner/Mazel.
* Glass, S. P. (2002). Couple therapy after the trauma of infidelity, in Gurman, A.S. & Jacobson, N. S. (eds.), Clinical handbook of couple therapy (3rd ed.). New York, Guilford Press.
* Glass, S. P. (2003). Not "just friends": Protect your relationship from infidelity and heal the trauma of betrayal. New York: Free Press
Gordon, K. C., Baucom, D. H. & Snyder, D. K. (2004). An integrative intervention for promoting recovery from extramarital affairs. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 30: 213-231.
Hatzman, S. (2013). The Secrets of Surviving Infidelity. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Olson, M. M., Russell, C. S., Higgins-Kessler, M. & Miller, R. B. (2002) Emotional processes following disclosure of an extramarital affair. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 28: 423-434.
Perel, E. (2017). The state of affairs: Rethinking infidelity. New York: Harper Collins.
Piercy, F. P., Hertlein, K. M. & Wetchler, J. L. (2011). Handbook of the clinical treatment of infidelity. New York: Routledge.
* Scuka, R. (2005). Relationship enhancement therapy: Healing through deep empathy and intimate dialogue (pp. 263-309). New York: Routledge.
* Scuka, R. F. (2012). Repairing a relationship imperiled by infidelity: Combining individual work, Relationship Enhancement® couple therapy and guided visualization to break through an emotional impasse. Sexual and Relationship Enhancement Therapy 27(4), 335-343.
* Scuka, R. (2015). A clinician’s guide to helping couples heal from the trauma of infidelity. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 14, 141-168.
* Spring, J. A. (1996). After the affair: Healing the pain and rebuilding trust when a partner has been unfaithful. New York: Harper Collins/Perennial.
* Spring, J. A. (2004). How can I forgive you?: The courage to forgive, the freedom not to. New York: Harper Collins.
Strean, J. S. (2000). The extramarital affair. New York: Jason Aronson Publishers.
Vaughn, P. (1998). The monogamy myth: A personal handbook for recovering from affairs. New York: Newmarket Press.
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
All those interested in Topic Welcomed
Late Fees and Refunds
Fee & Registration:
Cost is $70 and includes CE credit. Registering after May 31, 2023 will incur an additional $20 late fee. *Cancellations must be received 24 hours in advance prior to the live interactive webinar to receive a refund or a credit letter.
*All cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee
