Couples, Family Category

Dialogue Therapy for Couples and Real Dialogue for Opposing Sides

Methods Based on Psychoanalysis and Mindfulness

3 CE Hours
50 members have taken this course
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About the Course

This online courses is a required prerequisite for the Foundational Training in Dialogue Therapy and Real Dialogue (a live training). The course is based on the definitive manual on Dialogue Therapy and Real Dialogue, written by Jeannie Pieniadz and Polly Young-Eisendrath. Dialogue Therapy is a short-term, anxiety-provoking psychoanalytic psychotherapy for couples. Dialogue Therapy draws on psychoanalytic methods of interpreting and finding meaning in unconscious affective communication of implied or explicit emotional demands on a partner that originate in an individual’s early attachment bonds, relational trauma, or other trauma. These demands lead to “psychological complexes,” “repetition compulsions,” or implicit “blind spots” in an intimate relationship. Partners who come to therapy present their own unique dynamic field of transferences and counter-transferences to each other when they relate, especially on issues that cause threat or conflict. Dialogue Therapy also draws on Bowlby’s attachment model as it has been developed in relation to adult pair bonding.

This course is based on the book, Dialogue Therapy for Couples and Real Dialogue for Opposing Sides created by Jean Pieniadz, Ph.D. et al in 2021.

Publication Details

Publication Date: 1st Edition Jul 2021

Course Material Authors

Course Material Authors authored the material only, and were not involved in creating this CE course. They are identified here for your own evaluation of the relevancy of the material this course is based on.

Jean Pieniadz, Ph.D.

Dr. Pieniadz is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Burlington, Vermont. She has practiced Dialogue Therapy since 2000. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in UVM’s College of Medicine, supervising psychiatry residents, graduate students, and established professionals in the field. She is also a founding, and current, faculty and board member at the Vermont Institute for the Psychotherapies (VIP). She has conducted research and published in developmental psychology, neuropsychology, feminist pedagogy, and ethics.

Polly Young-Eisendrath, Ph.D.

Dr. Young-Eisendrath is a Jungian analyst, psychologist, and psychotherapist in private practice. She is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Vermont and the founder and director of the Institute for Dialogue Therapy. Polly is the author or editor of eighteen books, ranging from parenting, adult development, intimate and parental love, Buddhist theory, Jungian psychology to women’s development, couple therapy, couple development, and various paths to awakening/enlightenment from meditation to personal love. She is past president of the Vermont Association for Psychoanalytic Studies and a founding member of the Vermont Institute for the Psychotherapies.

Course Creator

Polly Young-Eisendrath, Ph.D.

Dr. Young-Eisendrath is a Jungian analyst, psychologist, and psychotherapist in private practice. She is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Vermont and the founder and director of the Institute for Dialogue Therapy. Polly is the author or editor of eighteen books, ranging from parenting, adult development, intimate and parental love, Buddhist theory, Jungian psychology to women’s development, couple therapy, couple development, and various paths to awakening/enlightenment from meditation to personal love. She is past president of the Vermont Association for Psychoanalytic Studies and a founding member of the Vermont Institute for the Psychotherapies.

Target Audience

Mental health professionals, including counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists and social workers. This course is appropriate for all levels of knowledge as well as for non-mental health professionals, such as coaches, facilitators, mediators, human resource managers and leaders.

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Outline the concept of projective identification as it relates to the idealization and disillusionment phases of intimate relationships.
  2. 2 Identify three techniques drawn from psychodrama in facilitation of development of communication skills and empathy in couples.
  3. 3 Describe the function and application of mindfulness practices in reducing emotional reactivity and negative repetitions within couples and other relationships.

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Material Authors

There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Course Creator

Polly Young-Eisendrath, Ph.D. – Receives royalties as a published author.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

Connecticut Certification Board (CCB)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 26th, 2026
AddictionCounselorCE.com is an approved provider for the CCB. AddictionCounselorCE.com takes responsibility for this course and it's content.
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NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Sep 29th, 2026
This course has been approved by CE Learning Systems, service provider of Impact CE, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #192243, CE Learning Systems is responsible for all aspects of their programming.
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NAADAC Approved Education Provider

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