Advanced gestalt couple therapy training - Dr Vibeke Visnes

Module 1 - February 28th-March 2nd 2025

Introducing the relational process model: Couple therapy is the most complex and vulnerable of the therapeutic situations due to the presence of the significant other.

In the first module, we work with the therapeutic relationship: what it demands in couple therapy and how it is different from individual therapy. From the beginning, the training is highly experiential and practice-near, combining theory with therapeutic explorations.

Module 2 - March 14th-16th 2025

A gestalt integrative model: Building on the first model, this module is the gestalt integrative model of phenomenological domains (GIMod). The GIMod is created to support therapists in finding figures and grade interventions in the complexity of a couple therapy situation and is inspired by the developmental domains by Daniel Stern. Again, taking a practice-near approach and reflexive and reflective practice on theory in light of experiential practice in smaller groups.

Module 3/4 combined (four days) - June 5th - June 8th 2025

Working with couples with trauma in the field of the relationship. In the last two decades, relational (developmental) trauma has been increasingly acknowledged
and implemented in trauma theory. Vibeke’s research project has been specifically created to include what she found missing in couple’s therapy - a humanistic, holistic and relational perspective to suffering in traumatised fields. Development somatic psychotherapy (DSP) by Ruella Frank is introduced and implemented throughout. We will practice couple therapy and do practical session intervention training with space for reflection and sharing of theory and process.

Module 4 - Intimacy and autonomy

Our work as therapists is to bring the clients to the “id of the situation” (Robin, 2016), meaning in practice, direct spontaneous contact in the relational field of the clients. We explore the resource of the therapist and how to support the clients to a new more dynamic way of relating - supporting the contacting process of being together (confluence) and differentiation (withdrawal). We dive deeper into the potential in DSP, sexuality and presence. We also look at implementing the GIMod to support a working hypothesis while working with the couple.

Price: £1500 (early bird discount £1400 before 1st February 2025)