Balancing Even-handedness and Safety: Navigating the Challenges and Ethics of Working with Couples

Please note that this session has moved dates from the 13th of May to the 1st of July. 

Join Rhonda Pritchard and Fran Parkin, experienced couple and family counsellors, in a workshop titled 'Balancing Even-handedness and Safety: Navigating the Challenges in Couple Counselling. 

In this session, participants will gain insights into the complexities of counselling couples, exploring the delicate balance of being fair and even-handed while addressing the safety and well-being of each individual. Rhonda and Fran's approach draws on their knowledge and practice and will offer attendees models and strategies to navigate the intricacies of couple counselling. Whether you already work with couples or are starting out in this field, this workshop promises to be a valuable experience, providing you with the skills needed to create a safe environment for couples seeking help. 

Couples Counselling requires more than a good working model. It means getting on board with couples at a time when they may be feeling desperate or disheartened about their relationship. Feelings may be running high and both parties may feel hard done by. Couple therapy is a skill and an art. It is not for the faint hearted. 

Rhonda Pritchard and Fran Parkin, with support from the NZAC Ethics Committee, have thoughtfully coordinated this session in response to a noticeable increase in complaints received by the NZAC Ethics Office regarding NZAC member counsellors working with couples. Over the years, Fran and Rhonda have dialogued and supported each other whilst doing this work. They plan to share some of the ethical and therapeutic dilemmas and their conclusions.

More about Rhonda (she/her)

Rhonda, a retired member of NZAC, has 40 years of experience in this field, is the author of Love in the Real World and other books on family relationships, a former Chair of NZAC Ethics Committee, a former NZAC Professional Development Coordinator, and has conducted research on violence and homicide in families. 

More about Fran (she/her) 

Fran is a senior counsellor and psychotherapist with a particular interest in working with couples. Fran is a Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst and has written and published on couple dynamics and the links between TA and attachment theory. She has also trained in Emotionally Focused couple therapy and says both these approaches give her a solid framework to hold the complexity of couple issues.

Please note that this session has moved dates from the 13th of May to the 1st of July. 

This session will be recorded and will be available for replay for two weeks after the event.