Treating Couples: Surmounting Challenges

Couples therapy presents complexity unlike other forms of therapy, requiring clinicians to continuously expand their foundation to do the work well. The intimate context of couples therapy requires therapists to understand and address many relational difficulties, including high emotional reactivity, blame, defensiveness, and stuck repetition of problematic patterns. In addition, the persistent stress of our socio-political-cultural context continues to be a strain on couples and therapists alike. 

This course will focus on doing effective relational work in the midst of specific challenges, including polarization, working with relationships with one person as the client, and the nuances of lesbian relationships. We will also discuss integrating ketamine into couples therapy and how to effectively address the unique needs of Black couples. Each week delves deep into the topic and offers ample time for audience questions. Clinicians will gain key strategies to help advance their treatment skills and improve their effectiveness with couples. Join us!

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the effectiveness of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy with couples.
• Implement techniques to reduce conflict and create greater mutual understanding between partners in couple therapy.
• Examine factors that impact the Black coupling process.
• Develop systemic interventions that lower the risk of inadvertently harming individual clients’ relationships.
• Explore various types of lesbian couple relationships and utilize effective techniques to resolve conflicts.

ABMS/ACGME Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educational (ACGME) competencies:

• Patient Care and Procedural Skills
• Medical Knowledge
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills

IOM Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following Institute of Medicine Core Competencies:

• Provide Patient-Centered Care
• Employ Evidence-Based Practice

Course Directors

Elizabeth Brenner, LICSW
Karen Kuc, MPH

Carol (Corky) Becker, PhD

PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Family and Couple Therapist and Founding Associate, Essential Partners

Yamonte Cooper, LPCC, NCC, CST-S

Clinical Director, West Coast Sex Therapy Center
Professor of Counseling and Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology
Author 

Arlene Lev, LCSW-R, CASAC II, CSTS

Founder and Clinical Director, Choices Counseling and Consulting and The Training Institute for Gender, Relationships, Identity, and Sexuality (TIGRIS)
Lecturer (part-time), School of Social Welfare, University at Albany
Project Director, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Project (SOGI)
Clinical Supervisor, Center Support Counseling Services, Pride Center of the Capital Region 

Tammy Nelson, PhD

Board Certified Sexologist
AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
Licensed Professional Counselor; Certified Imago Relationship Therapist
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor
Author

Maru Torres-Gregory, JD, PhD, LMFT

Clinical Affiliate
Teaching & Supervising Faculty, Marriage & Family Therapy Program, The Family Institute, Northwestern University

Elizabeth Brenner, LICSW (Course Director)

Director, Therapy Training Boston; Supervisor, Couples and Family Therapy Program, Cambridge Health Alliance
Teaching Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Private Practice, Watertown, MA

Karen Kuc, MPH (Course Director)

Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance​​​
Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Physicians

Badge for Jointly Accredited Provider with Commendation Interprofessional Continuing Education
The Harvard Medical School designates this for a maximum of 7.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

For the purpose of recertification, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and American Nurses Credentialing Center accept  7.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education). We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.

Physician Assistants

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that  7.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure. 

Psychologists

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 7.50 continuing education credits.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, marriage/family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present and sign in on both days to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org. 

Social Workers

This program has been approved for a total of 7.5 Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approval Program Authorization Number D10620-1. NY Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This course offers 7.5 contact hours.

Counselors

Cambridge Health Alliance is an Affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course meets the requirements for 7.50 continuing education hours, and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 7.50 credits.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, marriage/family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present and sign in on both days to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org. 

Family Therapists

This activity has been certified by NEAFAST on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health & Human Services Professions for LMFT Professional Continuing Education. Certification #213984814, for 7.50 contact hours. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, marriage/family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present and sign in on both days to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org. 

European Accreditation

The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the European Union of Medical Specialties website.

Canadian Accreditation

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.

Tuition for Treating Couples: Surmounting Challenges is listed below. You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment. Electronic syllabus and access to recordings for 30 days after the course are included.

At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration. Refunds, less an administrative fee of $75, will be issued for all cancellations received at least two weeks prior to the start of the course. Refund requests must be made in our secure online system or by email. “No shows” are subject to the full course fee.

Course Tuition

Course Registration - Treating Couples: Surmounting Challenges

Physician (MD/DO)

$290 / ($260 if registered by February 4, 2026)

All Other Health Professionals

$230 / ($200 if registered by February 4, 2026)

Tuition includes electronic syllabus.