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Handling Conflict in Relationships

CE Hours 3

About this course

With the rise in new challenges comes an opportunity to learn long-term strategies to overcome obstacles and deepen connection. In this introspective and enlightening webinar, Dr. Lisa Firestone will describe how adopting certain principles can help couples use this time to not just survive but to thrive. Drawing on more than 30 years of research, theory, and clinical experience with couples, Dr. Firestone will explore how each person’s internal defenses formed in childhood are often at the root of the deepest conflict or distress in their relationships, even in the face of external hardships. As one national survey showed “how couples argue was more related to divorce potential than was what they argue about.” This presentation is therefore designed to empower individuals to understand the dynamics that hurt their closest relationships and learn healthier strategies to handle stress and conflict. By taking a curious, open, and introspective approach to the problems they are experiencing, people can truly transform their relationships.

Learning Objectives

  • Recognize how methods or defenses formed to deal with pain and anxiety in childhood later come to hinder people as adults in their ability to develop and sustain close relationships.
  • Summarize the concept of the fantasy bond, an imaginary connection formed with their partner that relieves anxiety, yet leads to deterioration in relating.
  • Apply the techniques of Voice Therapy to help partners identify and challenge negative thoughts toward themselves and their partner.
  • Describe the technique of unilateral disarmament in mediating conflict between couples.

Learning Levels

  • Intermediate

Course Instructor(s)

  • Lisa Firestone

    Dr. Lisa Firestone is the Director of Research and Education at The Glendon Association. An accomplished and much requested lecturer, Dr. Firestone speaks at national and international conferences in the areas of couple relations, parenting, and suicide and violence prevention. Dr. Firestone has published numerous professional articles, and most recently was the co-author of Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships (APA Books, 2006), Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice (New Harbinger, 2002), Creating a Life of Meaning and Compassion: The Wisdom of Psychotherapy (APA Books, 2003) and The Self Under Siege (Routledge, 2012). Follow Dr. Firestone on Twitter or Google.

References

  • Firestone, R. W., & Firestone, T., & Catlett, J. (Collaborators). (2022). Challenging the fantasy bond: A search for personal identity and freedom. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000268-000
  • Folger, J.P., Poole, M.S., & Stutman, R.K. (2021). Working Through Conflict: Strategies for Relationships, Groups, and Organizations (9th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003027232
  • Janghu, P., & Bhau, S. (2023). Romantic attachment styles and conflict management among young adults. IAHRW International Journal of Social Sciences Review, 11(2), 197-202.
  • Waikamp, V., Serralta, F. B., Ramos-Lima, L. F., Zatti, C., & Freitas, L. H. M. (2021). Relationship between childhood trauma, parental bonding, and defensive styles and psychiatric symptoms in adult life. Trends in psychiatry and psychotherapy, 43(3), 225–234. https://doi.org/10.47626/2237-6089-2020-0086
  • Lachica, N., Stockwell, A., & Gamba, J. (2021). What did I just say? An individualized behavior skills training for listening behaviors of adult participants in romantic relationships. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 38(4), 732–755. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2021.1922664
  • Firestone, R. W. (2021). The Enemy Within. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00221678211025354
  • Firestone, R. W., & Solomon, S. (2022). Separation Theory: Sheldon Solomon Interview With Robert Firestone. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 62(5), 770-782. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167818796881

CE Process Info

Content

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work (NYSEDSW)

    CE Learning Systems 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 #0060.

  • New York Education Department for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (NYSEDLMHC)

    CE Learning Systems, 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 mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology (NYSEDPSY)

    CE Learning Systems dba CE-Credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0016.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy (NYSEDMFT)

    CE Learning Systems dba CE-Credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0045.

  • Joint Accreditation (JA)

    In support of improving patient care, CE Learning Systems is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

  • American Psychological Association (APA)

    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

FAQs

  • CELS Grievance
    If a grievance arises pertaining to continuing education activities or processes, please contact Tyler Gibson via confidential email to tyler@celearningsystems.com or Kimberly Daniels via confidential email to kdanielspsyd.com as soon as possible, so that the nature of the concern may be addressed in a timely fashion.
  • Course Completion
    To complete the course, review the course objectives, then watch the video power point presentations following along with the corresponding pdf, and lastly complete an evaluation. Your certificate will be available to download immediately when you complete the evaluation. Note that you can not continue in the course until you complete the previous section.
  • Target Audience
    This educational activity is intended for IFS trained therapists and practitioners.
Handling Conflict in Relationships
You Have Completed This course
$25
You are enrolled
  • CE Hours
    3
  • Type
    Self-Paced
  • Publication Date
    Feb 26th, 2025

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