Date and Time: Friday, April 30th, 2021 at 2:00pm - 4:00pm (ET)
Speaker: Dr. Tina Timm
CE Credits: 2 (General MFT Credits)
Event Description
Infidelity is one of the most difficult presenting issues in couple therapy. It's difficult because of the emotional intensity, the complicated systemic issues, and the lack of evidence-based treatments on which to rely. Unfortunately, many therapists lack the necessary training to help couples with this painful relational issue. Couples can present in many different ways: trying to keep the secret, wanting to disclose, recently discovering the affair, trying to decide whether or not to stay in the relationship, and deciding to stay together but not knowing how to heal.
As a result of the many different ways infidelity can present in the therapy room, and the lack of effective treatment models, there can be confusion and uncertainty as to how to help these couples. There is evidence that infidelity has a significant attachment basis, and certainly can be conceptualized as an attachment injury in relationships. It's also an injury comparable to post-traumatic stress disorder, and the presenters will describe a relational approach to treatment based in post-traumatic growth theory and attachment theory, showing how couples can grow stronger after the experience. The emphasis will be upon providing clinicians with key principles that are necessary for working with these couples. Further, the presenters will integrate the latest research on mindfulness and self-compassion to help rebuild trust, foster secure attachment, and restore a connecting sexual relationship.
Presenter Biography
Dr. Tina Timm is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Michigan State University where she teaches graduate students specializing in clinical social work. She is a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and licensed as both a marriage and family therapist and a clinical social worker. Her research focuses on couples and families with an emphasis on issues related to sexuality. She completed post-graduate training at Masters & Johnson Institute in both sex therapy and sexual trauma. She has been doing clinical work for over 28 years in a wide range of settings and is a frequent presenter on topics related to the integration of sex therapy into clinical practice, affair recovery, trauma informed treatment, and attachment.