This event is designed for:

• Individual therapists - content relevant for individual clients, as well as in discussion of their relationship concerns.
• Couples psychotherapists and clinicians
• Educators, trainers, and facilitators
• Mental health professionals navigating couples therapy

Dates:
September 18 & 25 & October 2, 2026, Virtual

Times:

• 12:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Location:
Virtual via Zoom 

Format:
Online

Registration Closes:
September 16th, 2026 at noon ET

Cost:

• Member  – $200
• Retired and Student Members – $150
• Non-member – $270

9 CEs

• The Autonomic Nervous System as the basis of understanding the dynamics of a couple
• Neuroception – the biology of safety and danger
• Three nervous system states and their hierarchy of response - mapping nervous system response
• How to access what is held in the implicit memory
• Challenges to effective communication
• Enhancing safety; techniques for “settling” the nervous system
  The structure of a session and the value of “mirroring” from a nervous system perspective
• Using the “language of body” as a resource for therapeutic inquiry; case examples
• Tracking the body for subtle signs of nervous system activation into fight/flight or emotional shutdown
• Strategies for regulation
• Videos of couple’s therapy sessions
• Avoiding overwhelm and shutting down – staying in the window of tolerance
• Memory reconsolidation; case example
• Finding safe harbor in co-regulation as the path to healing

Agenda Day 1

12:30-12:45 Introduction
12:45-1:45 Didactic presentation

• Understanding how the autonomic nervous system responds under threat and how this shows up in couple’s therapy
• Regulation and dysregulation - the safety to danger continuum
• Neuroception (Polyvagal theory concept) – perceived danger
• Nervous system states – fight, flight, freeze
• Experiential exercise as a group – mapping nervous system response

1:45-2:00 Demonstration of application of material
2:00-2:15 Break
2:15-3:15 Experiential exercise - application of material
3:15-3:45 Debrief of experiential exercise and Q&A

Agenda Day 2

12:30-10:45 Didactic presentation

• Challenges to effective communication
• Beginnings of a session – enhancing safety; techniques for “settling” the nervous system
• The value and importance of creating and maintaining structure in session
• How to facilitate a conversation in which each partner can hear, absorb and understand each other with the goal of being able to promote emotional connection and problem-solving capacity
• The value of reflective listening from a nervous system perspective
  
  

12:45 -1:00 Video clip
1:00-1:15 Break
1:15-2:15 Experiential exercise in triads - application of material
2:15-3:45 Debrief of exercise and Q&A

Agenda Day 3

12:30-1:15 Didactic presentation

Repair and Healing Inside the Dyadic Relationship

• Tracking the body for subtle signs of nervous system activation
• How to access what is held in the implicit memory
  Strategies for regulation
• How to avoid emotional overwhelm and/or shutting down
• Memory reconsolidation; case example
  

1:15-2:00 Video clips and discussion
2:00-2:15 Break
2:15-3:15 Experiential exercise in triads - application of material
3:15-3:45 Debrief of exercise and Q&A, conclusion

By the end of the conference, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the clinical relevance of the three nervous system states according to Stephen Porges’s Polyvagal Theory.
2. Explain Stephen Porges’s concept of neuroception and how to use this both as psychoeducation and in therapeutic intervention.
3. Explain how the nervous system worksheet helps a couple understand the impact of their nervous system state on their ability to communicate effectively
4. Describe how the structure of a couple’s therapy session supports nervous system regulation.
5. Explain how “mirroring” supports nervous system regulation
6. Explain why it is important for partners to be in a “settled enough” state of nervous system regulation in a session.
7. Describe a sequence of questions that can be used for therapeutic exploration, using the “language of the body.”
8. Name two interventions that utilize a focus on body sensations to help couples identify the vulnerable feelings that are the source of their conflict.
9. Define memory reconsolidation and the importance of accessing the implicit memory in order to facilitate a contradictory experience.

Deborah J Fox, MSW, LICSW is a clinical social worker with over thirty-five years of experience in private practice in Washington, DC. She is a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist and a Certified Sex therapist, providing individual, couples and group psychotherapy, as well as clinical consultation. Deborah lectures on the integration of mind-body strategies into couples therapy, sex therapy, and the treatment of sexual trauma, and she conducts small group seminars and consultation groups on these topics. Her most recent publication is The Integration of Somatic-based Strategies into Couples Therapy, Clinical Social Work Journal (Oct 2023).

Between 7 and 14 days prior to an event, a cancellation request in writing will result in a refund of 50% of the registration fee less a $50 administrative fee (A $200 registration will be refunded as $100 less $50 or $50). 

We regret that cancellation requests made 7 days or less prior to an event will not be accepted.

For questions and additional information on this event, please contact Nilou Mostofi at admin@newwsp.org.