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Workshop One Focus: The question of working psychotherapeutically with high conflict and domestically abusive couples continues to raise anxieties within the field. Embracing a relational approach offers an alternative perspective to the more familiar individual-based approaches.
This workshop will be broken into three sections.
- In the first part, the presenter will consider the nature and definition of domestic violence and abuse and its impact on couple relationships. Attention will also be focused on the limits of the victim and perpetrator divide.
- The second part addresses the dynamic nature of couple relationships that give rise to violence and abuse. Drawing on systemic, psychoanalytic and attachment-based approaches, the presenter will provide an understanding of the genesis of abuse within these relationships. There will also be a consideration of the indications and contraindications for couple therapy.
- In the final part of the workshop, consideration will be given to ways of intervening safely in couple relationships where is violence and abuse. A composite anonymised case study will be utilised to outline developments in practice, incorporating thinking about the assessment phase, case formulation, and the contribution of mentalization-based approaches in working with such couples.
Note: Expect an interactive format with opportunities for reflection and break out rooms for deeper discussions. You can register for either workshop individually; there is no requirement to attend Workshop one before Workshop two. 
Dr. Damian McCann, D.Sys.Psych, is a consultant family and systemic psychotherapist with many years of experience working with children, adolescents and their families within a CAMHS setting. He is also a psychoanalytic couple psychotherapist formerly working at Tavistock Relationships, London, adjunct faculty member of the International Psychotherapy Institute (IPI), Washington, DC, and an editorial board member of Couple and Family Psychoanalysis. His doctoral research was concerned with understanding the meaning and impact of violence in the couple relationships of gay men and he is involved in developing approaches to working with couples more generally in which there is violence and abuse. His edited book ‘Same-Sex Couples and Other Identities: Psychoanalytic Perspectives’ was published by Routledge in 2021 and his co-edited book with Kate Thompson entitled ‘Couples as Parents: Explorations in Couple Psychotherapy’ was published this year by Routledge.
Register here
- Duration/CPD: 2.5 hours
- Cost:
- AFT Member £55
- Non-Member £70
- AFT Student Members £35
Explore Further Interested in exploring a different insights? Consider attending our second workshop, Understanding and responding to intimate partner violence and abuse in the lives of lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender individuals and couples on Tuesday, 17 June at 10.30am. This session will address the nuances of violence and abuse in same-sex, bisexual, and transgender relationships.
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