By Rich Simon As therapists, many of us practice in two different worlds. In the first, we see polite, well-behaved, articulate clients with solid values. They engage fully in therapy, talk cogently about their problems, listen attentively to our responses, make reasonably good-faith efforts to follow our suggestions, and sooner or later get better. No wonder we genuinely like these people! 
Monday, November 7You’ll expand your therapeutic repertoire for dealing with challenging situations, including how to effectively structure early sessions and the best ways to work with couples on the brink of divorce. In this nuts-and-bolts presentation, you’ll find out how to avoid unintentionally undermining a couple’s commitment to each other and other practical strategies that will help make you a more effective couples therapist.
William Doherty, Ph.D., is a professor and director of the Citizen Professional Center at the University of Minnesota. His books include Soul Searching, Take Back Your Marriage, and Take Back Your Kids. His latest book is Family Therapy, with Susan McDaniel. Website: www.drbilldoherty.org.
Learning Objectives:
1. Outline the most common pitfalls of couples therapy.
2. Understand the best interventions for couples on the brink.
3. Explain how to help maintain a couple’s commitment.
© 2013 Psychotherapy Networker