When is Closeness Too Close... The Impact and Treatment of Couples During the Pandemic

3 CE’s.

COVID19 has created additional stress in couples’ relationships. Isolation exacerbates conflict beyond the normative stressors couples often deal with in the course of their lives, compounding unresolved issues as well as restricting outlets that reduce stress. This workshop will explore the impact of this new normal and offer a toolbox of effective strategies from various models of couple’s therapy to combat these struggles.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the three hour training, clinicians will be a able to:

1. Identify the impact the pandemic has had on the functioning of couples’ relationships.
2. Describe the impact on the individuals and, if applicable, the couple dyad.
3. Understand the emotional, cognitive and behavioral symptoms that develop in couples’ relationships since the emergence of the pandemic.
4. Implement more adaptive treatment interventions to help couples cope with the impact or exacerbation of conflict.
5. Identify role changes that have resulted from the pandemic and describe how to restore balance to the dynamics of the couple.

Faculty Bio

Dr. Beth Forhman has been an adjunct faculty member in the school of social work since 1982, and was awarded Senior Adjunct Status in September of 2019. Dr. Forhman has, at one time or another, taught most of the practice, clinical and human behavior courses in the MSW program. Dr. Forhman had been nominated by students for the “Excellence in Teaching Award for Adjunct Faculty.” Dr. Forhman received her BSW, MSW and DSW degrees from Adelphi University, and received post-graduate training from The Family Institute of Westchester for a two-year externship with Betty Carter, and a one-year externship at the Family Therapy Institute with Jay Haley and Cloe Madanes. Dr. Forhman is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Dr. Forhman has maintained a private practice in Smithtown, New York since 1977, treating couples, families and individual clients from childhood through adulthood with varying clinical presentations and presenting problems. Dr. Forhman also provides Parent Coordination services through referrals from the Supreme Court of Suffolk County for clients experiencing “high conflict divorces.” Dr. Forhman co-wrote a chapter for Oxford Press, Exposure and response prevention treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Dr. Forhman has been interviewed by the New York Times, “9-11: Balm and Bane of Relationships,” and Luxury Magazine, “Breeding Stars: Are We Pushing Our Children Too Hard?”