Fault lines in couple relationships: How hidden vulnerabilities interact with addiction
Drawing from a series of clinical cases studies, this webinar will present the couple fault lines that interact with substance use and behavioural addictions to create self-perpetuating and escalating cycles of distress.
AFSP member: £35
Non-member: £45
AFSP student member: £20
Organiser
Association for Family and Systemic Psychotherapy
Addiction is often framed as an individual problem, with couple distress viewed as its aftermath. Little is known about the hidden fault lines in couple relationships that preceded the onset and development of addiction.
Drawing from a series of clinical cases studies, this webinar will present the couple fault lines that interact with substance use and behavioural addictions to create self-perpetuating and escalating cycles of distress. Relapse is a common outcome.
To interrupt this recursive cycle, Congruence Couple Therapy is a new systemic therapy with ‘four doors’ and an evidence base for producing significant outcomes not only with addiction symptoms, but in congruent communication, emotion regulation, couple satisfaction and stress reduction.
About the speaker: Bonnie Lee, RMFT-Supervisor, PhD
Dr Bonnie Lee is professor in health sciences at the University of Lethbridge in Canada and a long-standing clinician in the field of couple and family therapy. She is best known as the developer of Congruence Couple Therapy (CCT), an evidence-based model that integrates trauma healing, communication, and emotion regulation within a couple framework.
CCT has been adopted in addiction treatment, and was recognised by the Alberta Health Quality Council as a Distinguished Initiative for enhancing patient services in the province.
Her career has been marked by notable honours, including the Professional Contributions Award from the Canadian Association for Couple and Family Therapy for her outstanding contributions to the profession. She was also awarded the Board of Governors Research Chair, a prestigious award in recognition of her leadership and contribution in addiction treatment research.
An engaging speaker and trainer, she has presented widely for professional organisations such as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. She has held academic appointments in 8 universities across the US, Europe and Asia.
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