From Despair to Repair: Working Through Betrayal Advanced Course
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In the face of a couple’s crisis, there are three different perspectives for the therapist to consider: The first perspective works for, and from, the ‘between’ of the relationship – the focus is on the interpersonal; the second, use relational neuroscience as a map for inner attunement; and the third, helps the therapist with his/her countertransference and use of “self.” The end point of all three perspectives is to provide the therapist with skills to assist couples in moving from Despair and Rupture to Repair and Connection. Using the principles of interpersonal and interpersonal attunement will give a map to working with couples in crisis. Having a clear navigational system that includes exploring countertransference reactions will ultimately enable us to effectively help couples heal and grow through crisis.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Participants will be able to:
- Describe the Imago-based model of interpersonal and inner attunement for working with couples in crisis.
- Explain the therapist’s role in establishing a safe and empathic structure when couples are polarized and in crisis.
- Utilize Imago processes to promote secure attachment and emotion regulation in an insecure, dis-regulated couple system.
- Describe and clinically use a relational neuroscience metaphor of the mind, The Wheel of Awareness, to expand Imago’s relational paradigm.
- Explain how the therapist’s countertransference when working with betrayal.
- Understand the potential for vicarious traumatization when working with crisis couples.
From Despair to Repair Monday April 7th – April 9
We will include the Art of Supervision for 1/2 off if you register for both of these Advanced Courses.
:
* Saturday, April 5 – 6th – Wim Hof breath work, ice bath and overnight journey at La Senda $275 per person *15 people minimum You need to Opt In by sending your payment OPTIONAL
* Monday, April 7th – Catered sunset welcome dinner $75 per person – Despair to Repair group event
* Monday April 7 – Wednesday April 9 Despair to Repair Course
* Thursday, April 10th – Full day at Ricón de la Vieja (waterfall, mud bath, hot springs, and rafting with lunch) $195 per person You need to Opt In by sending your payment OPTIONAL
* Friday, April 11th – Cacao and Sound Bath at La Senda with a farm to table dinner $125 per person – group event
* Saturday April 12th- Tamarindo breakfast on the beach and Farmer’s Market in the morning OPTIONAL
* Saturday April 12th – 1/2 catamaran tour with lunch and snorkeling $150 per person Opt In OPTIONAL OR 1/2 day spa 3 treatments with lunch $380 per person You need to Opt In by sending your payment OPTIONAL
* Sunday, April 13 – Tueday, April 15 the Art of Supervision
* Tuesday, April 15th – Closing Dinner TBD
* Wednesday, April 16th ALL DAY Diamante Park for Zip Lining and Zoo $195 per person You need to Opt In by sending your payment OPTIONAL
NOTE All activities include transportation
Additional expenses to plan for:
Surfing lessons $50 a person per day, yoga classes, other meals not mentioned here, airfare and lodging
If you are here for both trainings I need the $200 deposit for the group meals by mid November.
We can help you connect to colleagues to share a room or AirBNB.
Transportation to and from LIR airport is about $100 per trip.
The Art of Supervision Sunday April 13 – 15
Additional Details
Language - English
Organizer
Living in Playa Grande Costa Rica so she can surf as much as possible, Michelle enjoys training around the world: from Romania to England, from Mexico to Costa Rica, from Austin, Texas to Washington DC; Michelle loves to train therapists and professionals on how to facilitate communication in couples, groups, and their communities. Michelle creates special, safe training spaces for those who have a unique culture or identity or who have faced the pressures and trauma of marginalization, and uses those spaces to mentor others towards leadership in Imago. Along with Linda Lewter, she taught Clinicians of Color since 2021. With Emilio Anguiano she did a Clinical training for those who identify as Sex Positive in 2022 and in 2024 a Workshop for men seeking Healthy Relationships. She has a leadership team with Workshop Presenters from Austin and Alaska she supports in their professional development in Imago. As an internationally recognized speaker and teacher, Michelle developed her own theory on the Psychology of Intuition that includes a 9-trait model for Highly Intuitive People. She frequently writes and lectures about honing our intuition with others as well as the psychology money. Michelle was a Certifeid Group Pracitioner and Fellow in the American Group Psychotherapy Association running groups for 15 years with extensive training in Group Psychotherapy and specifically in Modern Analytics at The Center for Group Studies. Michelle has also trained in Voice Dialogue, EMDR (certified 2009-2024), and Sensory Motor. She is a PhD candidate at Daybreak University conducting research on the Relational Paradigm. Early in her professional life, Michelle managed a front office for Marriott Resorts before she left to recruit from the then Big Six accounting and consulting firms, and finally went back to the business world in HR with Dell Computer Corporation. She brings her organizational and busienss acumen, years of group leadership experience, and a license in Family Counseling to the Imago Professional Facilitator Program for professionals wanting to apply Imago to their work lives in schools, churches, and businesses!
