Stepfamily Therapy: A Map in the Wilderness
Friday, September 25, 2009, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
6 CEUs Available
Professional counselors workshop (one-day).
** REGISTRATION Now Open **
Accommodations
Presented by Ron L. Deal, LMFT, LPC.
Hosted by Abilene Christian University, Dept. of Marriage & Family Therapy, University Counseling Center, TAMFT & AbAMFT (Abilene Chapter)
Presentation Description
The stepcouple divorce rate remains alarming. Therapists often feel overwhelmed when treating binuclear families given their complexity and relational dynamics. This seminar will explore the key relational challenges leading to stepfamily distress and how therapists can effectively treat the expanded stepfamily system. Key distinctions between stepfamily therapy and family therapy will be addressed and key interventions that keep in mind the needs of both children and adults within the binuclear system will be presented. In addition, data from the National Survey of Stepfamilies (over 50,000 couples) will be presented and implications for preventing divorce and strengthening stepfamilies discussed.
Ron believes continuing education shouldn’t be boring! This often humorous workshop includes enlightening video clips, interactive learning activities, interesting PowerPoint presentation, a comprehensive handout, and access to web-based educational tools for clients.
Workshop Objectives
At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. List numerous family process dynamics that are different in stepfamilies than in biological families;
2. Describe how attachment, loss, and loyalty issues create barriers to family integration and how therapists can help stepfamilies work through this barriers;
3. Identify stages of stepfamily integration;
4. List the top predictors of stepcouple health and identify research-based interventions for couples;
5. Identify the roles of biological parents and stepparents as they relate to raising children in stepfamilies; and
6. Identify practical therapeutic procedures in working with remarried couples and stepfamilies.
Ron L. Deal is Founder and President of Successful Stepfamilies (www.SuccessfulStepfamilies.com) and conducts marriage and family seminars for couples and professionals around the country.
Ron is author of the best selling book The Smart Stepfamily: Seven Steps to a Healthy Family and coauthor of the forthcoming The Smart Stepmom: Practical Steps to Help You Thrive. A third book coauthored with David H. Olson, Ph.D. entitled The Remarriage Couple Checkup, is scheduled for release in early 2010 and identifies the top strengths of remarried couples. This research-based how-to guide is based on a survey of over 50,000 couples creating stepfamilies, the largest such study ever conducted.
Ron is a member of the Stepfamily Expert Council for the National Stepfamily Resource Center, a Clinical Member of AAMFT, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and a Licensed Professional Counselor. He frequently speaks at national training events for marriage and family educators and counselors, has appeared on many national radio and TV broadcasts, and has written over a 100 feature articles addressing a variety of family matters for a number of publications and online magazines. He writes a monthly article for stepfamilies in HomeLife magazine and publishes a free monthly E-Magazine through Successful Stepfamilies. He and his wife, Nan, have been married since 1986 and have three boys.
Endorsements of Ron Deal and the Stepfamily Therapy Seminar
“I want to thank you again for an absolutely fabulous stepfamily therapy presentation. It was truly wonderful on all fronts. Some people know their stuff, but don’t present well; some people present well, but don’t know their stuff. Your presentation was excellent on both accounts. You were informative, professional, well organized, and entertaining. I’m truly not sure how you could have improved on it.”
Lori Skilling, LMFT, Arkansas Board of Marriage & Family Therapists
“Successful Stepfamilies is the most highly practical program I know for helping couples who are dealing with the common struggles of stepparenting. Ron is an excellent presenter and his book The Smart Stepfamily is the most helpful book I know on this topic.”
Dr. Gary D. Chapman, best-selling author of The Five Love Languages
“Great presenter and workshop. He can do a 2-day workshop and hold my attention.”
Therapy Training Participant
“Excellent! The audio/visuals were above and beyond and made the presentation superior!”
Therapy Training Participant,Arkansas
