LACPA's 2021 CONTINUING EDUCATION SERIES

Infidelity as Attachment Injury:
Clinical Implications for the Betrayed and the Betrayer

Presented by 
Wendy Cherry, Psy.D. 

Saturday, March 13, 2021 - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Will be held virtually via Zoom
Advanced Level Course for 4.0 LIVE CE Credits 

This program will be recorded for future on-demand viewing via LACPA's LMS System.

 Pre-registration ends Thursday, March 11th at 11:59 PM PST

Abstract:

Infidelity poses one of the most common and intimidating issues for clinicians due to the significant amount of trauma and conflict these cases bring to therapy. An understanding of neurodevelopment, affect regulation/dysregulation, trauma, and attachment organization will assist the clinician in diagnosing the individual/couple, and compassionately treating both the betrayer and the betrayed partners. Effective treatment interventions are offered to foster recovery, healing, and the rebuilding of trust in relationships. 

Effective therapy for infidelity provides understanding and compassionate treatment for both the betraying partner and the betrayed partner toward the goal of recovery, healing, and the rebuilding of trust in relationships. Infidelity is a multifactorial phenomenon which is further illuminated from an interpersonal neurobiological and attachment perspective. Rates of infidelity and multicultural factors will be examined. We will also focus on the different factors facilitating and motivating a betraying partner, and the impact of betrayal trauma experienced by the betrayed partner. An understanding of neurodevelopment, affect regulation/dysregulation, trauma, and attachment organization in each person will assist the clinician in diagnosing the individual/couple and in employing effective treatment interventions. Specific treatment techniques focusing on affect regulation and the creation of a mindful emotional dialogue will be described, along with clinical case material to further illustrate the concepts presented.

 Wendy Cherry, Psy.D., a licensed psychotherapist, is the co-founder and Executive Director of The American Association of Couples and Sex Therapists (AACAST), and an Instructor at UCLA and USC. She is a member of Dr. Allan Schore's Right Brain Psychotherapy study group, and co-founded the Right Brain Psychotherapy Institute (RBPI) with him. Dr. Cherry was trained by Dr. Walter E. Brackelmanns for almost two decades, and has a private practice specializing in couples and sex therapy in Encino, CA.

Course Goals and Educational Objectives:  

Attendees will be able to: 

1. Discuss prevalence rates and multicultural issues contributing to infidelity.
2. Identify the neurobiological and attachment factors that facilitate infidelity and contribute to betrayal trauma.
3. Utilize five (5) affect regulation techniques in clinical work with patients.
4. Analyze ethical considerations when working with a couple presenting with infidelity.
5. Apply affect regulation skills and the mindful dialogue tool to clinical work with individuals and couples struggling with recovery from infidelity.

Course Outline:  

Introduction: 5 minutes

Interpersonal Neurobiology/Attachment Theory Overview: 40 minutes

Infidelity Statistics/Multicultural Considerations: 15 minutes

Betraying Partners: 30 minutes

Break: 15 minutes

Betrayed Partners/Betrayal Trauma: 30 minutes

Clinical Treatment/Case Vignette: 40 minutes

Case Vignettes: 30 minutes

Break: 15 minutes

Q&A: 20 minutes