Core Clinical Skills for Helping with Relational Issues in a Therapeutic Context

Developed based on evidence-based research on how to effectively help others with relational issues, the “Core Clinical Skills for Helping with Relational Issues” empowers counselors to develop technical skills in both individual and couples counseling. We have created an expert corps of experienced trainers who are committed to providing you with the most current clinical research and practice guidelines on relationships.

“Core Clinical Skills for Helping with Relational Issues” is highly-engaging, evidence-based, and practical - helping social workers, mental health providers, psychologists, professional counselors or anyone interested in learning the technical skills and knowledge for assessment and treatment of relational issues. Registration includes training binder and handouts; in addition, a certificate of completion will be provided at the end.

Live Training Information

Upcoming Training: 2nd Thursday of the Month January - June 9am-11:30am. In-person in Chelsea, MI or virtual available.

Cost: $1000

Agenda:

Session 1: Overview: Core Research on Helping Relationships

Session 2: The Many Diverse Factors of Relationships (Etiology, Symptoms, etc.)

Session 3: Risks and Exacerbating Factors (And Times to Refer Out)

Session 4: In-Depth Technical Skills (Nitty-Gritty Practice of How to Deal with Difficult Situations)

Session 5: Diving Deep into Negative Relational Cycles (And how to help!)

Session 6: Putting Together Core Skills Needed to Help with Relationships

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

Effectively understand and implement technical skills for helping others with relational issues.
Utilize specific communication techniques, including reflecting, summarizing, paraphrasing, and questioning, to enhance understanding and facilitate client exploration.
Identify and respond to both explicit and implicit emotional expressions in clients, practicing techniques like emotional labeling and validation to deepen the therapeutic connection.
Practice using immediacy interventions, such as processing the here-and-now dynamics of the therapeutic relationship, to address potential roadblocks and strengthen the alliance.
Implement setting and maintaining healthy boundaries in the therapeutic relationship, including addressing challenging client behaviors and managing expectations.
Identify and utilize various attending behaviors (e.g., eye contact, body posture, vocal tone) to demonstrate active listening and engagement with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Interpret clients' nonverbal communication, such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and emotional states.
Identify and address their own cultural biases and develop culturally sensitive communication strategies to effectively work with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Use self-disclosure judiciously and purposefully to enhance the therapeutic relationship, while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Practice delivering constructive feedback and using confrontation ethically and effectively to facilitate client growth and insight.
Engage in reflective practice techniques, such as journaling and peer supervision, to enhance self-awareness and improve their relationship skills with clients. The training is open to all!