Additional Information

• • Target audience

    • This course is intended for psychologists, counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and other mental health and related professionals. 

  • Instruction level - Intermediate

    • It is expected that participants will have basic knowledge of the topic. Less than 25% of the presentation will review knowledge provided in an introductory workshop in this topic area. The remaining time will focus on advanced topics such as new research, specialty topics not typically covered in graduate education, or specific clinical applications. 

  • Recommended Prior Course 

    • Consent as Foundation - Understanding Sexual, Gender & Relationship Diversity

      • This course serves as a foundation for all the courses in this series on GSRD. 

    • If you have taken a course with Dr. Kieran from at any time, you may have most of the basics already.   

  • Full description

Relationship conflict is one of the most common reasons individuals and people in relationships seek psychotherapy. Yet, many therapists receive limited training in helping clients move beyond recurring patterns of defensiveness, emotional flooding, and ineffective communication. This three-hour intermediate-level clinical workshop presents an integrative, evidence-informed relationship therapy model that synthesizes contemporary research on attachment, emotion regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, structured communication, and empirically supported couples/relationship therapy interventions.

Participants will review current peer-reviewed literature examining the role of attachment processes, physiological activation, executive functioning, and emotion regulation in relationship conflict. The workshop will demonstrate how therapists can help clients recognize signs of emotional activation, interrupt escalating conflict through structured time-outs and self-regulation strategies, and return to difficult conversations when higher-order cognitive functioning has been restored. Participants will also learn structured communication interventions incorporating reflective listening, validation, collaborative dialogue, and principles consistent with judgment-free empathic communication to foster relational safety, curiosity, vulnerability, and authentic emotional disclosure.

The workshop emphasizes practical clinical application through case examples and structured interventions that therapists can immediately incorporate into their work with individuals, couples, and other intimate relationship systems. Particular attention will be given to applying these evidence-supported interventions in an affirming manner with clients practicing consensual non-monogamy (CNM) and BDSM/kink or consensual power exchange relationships. Rather than presenting separate therapeutic models for diverse relationship structures, the workshop demonstrates how the same empirically supported mechanisms of attachment security, emotion regulation, and collaborative communication can be adapted to address the unique relational contexts, negotiation processes, and attachment challenges experienced across diverse intimate relationships.

Consistent with Category D1.1, this workshop focuses on the clinical application of psychological intervention methods supported by contemporary peer-reviewed scientific literature and integrates findings from established research in attachment, couples/relationship therapy, communication science, and emotion regulation into a practical framework for clinical practice.

• • Presenter 

    • Sander T. Jones, MSW, LCSW (they/them) is a licensed clinical social worker, relationship therapist, clinical supervisor, author, educator, and speaker based in Atlanta, Georgia. They specialize in trauma, attachment, anxiety, relationship therapy, and working with LGBTQIA+, consensually non-monogamous (CNM), and BDSM/kink communities using an affirming, evidence-informed approach. Sander is the founder of Cultivating Joy and Happiness, LLC and has over 15 years of clinical experience integrating attachment theory, emotion regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, and trauma-informed care into practical interventions that clients can immediately apply in their daily lives. Their clinical work draws from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Clinical Hypnosis, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Polyvagal-informed interventions. 

They are the author of Cultivating Connection: A Practical Guide for Personal and Relationship Growth in Ethical Non-Monogamy, which translates contemporary relationship science into accessible, practical skills for building healthier relationships. Their current work focuses on developing an integrative model of relationship therapy that emphasizes emotional regulation, relational safety, collaborative communication, and earned secure attachment. Sander is a frequent presenter for professional organizations and community conferences, providing continuing education on relationship diversity, ethics, trauma-informed practice, communication, attachment, and working effectively with clients from historically marginalized relationship and identity communities.

• • • Co-Presenter - Dr. Rachel Anne Kieran (she/her/dr) is a licensed psychologist and Co-Founder and Program Director of StorieTree Professional Education, where she leads the development of affirming, culturally-responsive continuing education for psychologists and other mental health professionals. She is also the founder of  StorieBrook Therapy & Consulting, LLC. Her clinical work focuses on sexual, gender, and relational diversity (including kink and consensual non-monogamy), neurodiversity, fat and disability justice, and clients from non-majority spiritual and pagan paths.  Across her roles as therapist, educator, and author, Dr. Kieran is committed to the belief that affirming care is a right, not a privilege.
      
      

  • Learning objectives

    • After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

      • Identify signs of emotional and physiological activation (“flooding”) in couples that indicate reduced access to executive functioning and increased risk of reactive communication.

      • Apply evidence-informed interventions to support emotional regulation and self-soothing, including structured time-outs, grounding strategies, and return-to-conversation protocols.

      • Demonstrate the use of structured communication techniques (e.g., reflective listening, non-judgmental language, and turn-taking dialogue) to facilitate relational safety and reduce defensive escalation.
        
        

  • Agenda / structure

    • • Section 1 (10 mins)

        • Introduction of me and the “clinical problem”

        • Core thesis based on clinical problem

        • Learning objectives

      • Section 2 (20 mins)

        •  Lit Review

          • Emotion regulation in couples

          • Dyadic coping

          • Physiological arousal research

          • Structured communication models

      • Section 3 (60 mins)

        • Default Conflict Style

        • Clinical Application: Tools, Skills, and Integration

        • Clinical Model Overview

      • Section 4 (70 mins) 

        • Case Studies in diverse relationship structures

      • Section 5 (20 mins) 

        • Integration across relationship structures

        • Relational Safety Cycle is a Process Model
          
          

  • CE information

    • • This is a live program. Full attendance is required to receive a certificate of completion. Certificates of completion will be issued following verified attendance.

      • This program has been submitted for approval for CE by the Georgia Psychological Association.  

        • Acceptance of continuing education credit is determined by individual licensing boards. 

          • The Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists accepts GPA-approved CEs for license renewal under Area III for renewal of their licensees. For information on the board requirements in other states, please consult your state licensing rules.

          • The Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists accepts GPA-approved CEs for license renewal as related hours for renewal of their licensees (Rule 135-9-.01(2)(f)(1)).  For information on the board requirements in other states, please consult your state licensing rules.  

  • Pricing & accessibility notes

    • Standard Price - $90

    • For more information on equity pricing for accessibility, please read the StorieTree Pricing & Equity Policy

    • For more information on StorieTree's ongoing accessibility efforts, please visit our Accessibility page.  

  • Cancellation/refunds - please see the StorieTree Attendance, Participation & Refunds Policy

  • Disclosures - please read the StorieTree Disclosure Policies for more information