Bill Doherty and Steven Harris, professors in Family Social Science and co-directors of the Minnesota Couples on the Brink Project, will lead a free workshop Friday, May 5 for therapists.
In the workshop, “Helping Individuals Facing Divorce Decisions,” Drs. Doherty and Harris will discuss evidence-based information and specific skills to work with individual therapy clients facing a possible divorce.
Deciding about divorce is one of the most consequential and emotional issues clients bring to individual therapy. Often, it’s the “leaning-out” client who wants help deciding whether to end a marriage or seek help for the relationship. Other times it’s the “leaning-in” client who wants to stay married and is distressed that their partner is talking about divorce.
“Either way, our standard therapy models are silent about how to help people in this crucible of choice,” says Doherty.
Based on more than a decade of work in “discernment counseling” with couples where one is leaning out and the other is leaning in, Doherty and Harris will provide research-based information to assist therapists to work effectively with these clients.
Workshop outcomes
- The different needs of leaning in and leaning out spouses
- What research shows about clients in these situations
- Practical skills tailored to each kind of client
- Resources to offer these clients
With a specific focus on working with individual clients (not couples), the first half of the workshop will address working with the “leaning out” partner and the second half the “leaning in” partner.
Workshop details
Helping Individuals Facing Divorce Decisions
May 5, 2023
9 a.m. – noon
Via Zoom, free
Register (a reminder and the Zoom link will be sent a few days prior to the workshop).
Questions? Contact Erin Guyette, FSOS graduate student.
