Therapists see unresolved power issues all the time--for example, when clients are passive-aggressive, break agreements, or withhold sex. Chronic anger often results, which makes trust difficult to maintain. In such an environment, couples refuse to compromise, partners lie or keep secrets, and relationships lack the good will necessary for self-soothing. This workshop examines how power, anger, and trust issues interact in couples' systems--and how this can make communication impossible or even counter-productive. Topics include: Configurations of power/anger/trust
How clients express power dynamics
Distancer-pursuer couples
Agreements--keeping, breaking, discussing
Why sexuality involves power dynamics
Working with raging couples
Empowering wounded clients
Therapists' myths about communication
How therapists collude with victims
Transference & countertransference --- from the publisher |
