Bespoke Members
Introduction
This CPD will refresh the highly effective techniques of the therapeutic intervention Couple Therapy for Depression, embedded in an evidence-based and integrated theoretical framework which has produced impressive recovery rates from mild to moderate depression for patients in NHS services nationwide.
The course is led by Ann Hardy and Sammantha Knight, who will deliver this refresher day for qualified and close to qualification CTfD practitioners working within NHSTT, focussing on the relational components of depression and clinical techniques. The model looks for causal or maintaining factors in a couple’s relationship that is triggering depression and then utilises the relationship as one of the primary resources for recovery and relapse prevention.
The event will be equivalent to 5.1/2hrs of CPD.
Content
This clinically focused workshop will provide a refresher for experienced and recently trained CTfD therapists and will focus on how to implement the key competencies of the CTfD model.
CTfD practitioners increasingly report that they encounter couples where one or both members are neurodivergent, that is have a diagnosis of, or self-identify as, autistic, ADHD (or other neurological difference, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia). This is unsurprising, given the higher-than-average levels of depression and anxiety experienced by neurodivergent people.
By exploring the different communication styles, relationship expectations and behavioural norms that neurodiverse and neurotypical partners each bring to relationships, this insightful CPD will help therapists and counsellors deepen their understanding and expand their toolkit for supporting neurodiverse and cross-neurotype couples.
Through case studies, theoretical frameworks, and practical interventions, Sammantha and Ann will share their expertise to help you work more confidently with all neurotypes.
Learning Objectives
• Revision of key components of the CTfD model
• Reflecting on the stance and therapeutic frame when working with couples
• Understanding the different strengths, challenges and relationship expectations neurodivergent and neurotypical people bring to relationships
• Principles of neurodiversity affirming practice
• Strategies for working with neurodivergent and cross-neurotype (neurodivergent + neurotypical) couples
• Practical tools to support better communication, understanding and tolerance
Training Modalities
Didactic content, videos, clinical analysis and Q&A
Key References
Couple Therapy for Depression, A clinician guide to integrative practice written by David Hewison, Christopher Clulow and Harriet Drake, Oxford University Press.
Relationship Counselling with Autistic Neurodiverse Couples, by Tony Attwood and Maxine Aston, Jessica Kingsley Publishers
“You don’t need to be fixed”: working with a neurodiverse family, by Ann Hardy Couple and Family Psychoanalysis, 14(2), 146-160.
About the presenter
Ann Hardy, Psychodynamic psychotherapist
Ann is a psychodynamic couples psychotherapist, with both a personal and a professional interest in neurodiversity. As a psychotherapist, her work with neurodiverse couples and individuals has given her a deep respect for the strengths, as well as the challenges, neurodivergent people bring to relationships. Ann has a master’s degree in individual and couple psychodynamic psychotherapy from Tavistock Relationships (TR), where trains and supervises NHS therapists for TR’s CTfD programme. Ann is currently working towards a professional doctorate at the University of Essex, where her research focuses on neurodiverse relationships.
Sammantha Knight, Psychodynamic Psychotherapist
Sammantha is a couple and individual psychodynamic psychotherapist in private practice in London. Alongside running her private practice, Sammantha delivers training to Local Authorities on Reducing Parental Conflict, she tutors students on the IAPT High-Intensity Pilot for Couple Therapy for Depression at Tavistock Relationships, as well as training and supervising counsellors on the Couple Therapy for Depression course.
Who should attend
This one-day refresher workshop is suitable for those who have completed a five-day CTfD practitioner training and are completing or have completed accreditation casework.