A Three-Hour Workshop:

“Triangulation and Infidelity”

Instructor: Shelley Nathans, Ph.D.

Date: Sunday, October 9, 2016

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST

Location: TBA & Long-Distance via Videoconference

 3 CEUs for practitioners in NY or CA

Fee: $125

The paths leading to infidelity in a couple’s relationship are manifold and diverse; there is no singular cause, no simple, linear route. Rather, the complex set of psychological and inter-personal dynamics that influence and shape the events that lead to infidelity are unique to each relationship. Using a contemporary psychoanalytic model, this course will explore some important theoretical issues relevant to understanding infidelity for the couple psychotherapist. A developmental orientation will be used to delineate a range of psychological dilemmas that may contribute to infidelity, including claustrophobic anxieties, difficulties with mourning past or impending loss, Oedipal problems, and separation issues.

After attending this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the concept of infidelity from a developmental point of view, reflecting a possible range of anxieties and psychodynamics
2. Discuss the concept of the Oedipus complex and list at least two types of unresolved Oedipal issues that may underlie affairs
3. Explore the concept of triangulation and how unconscious attacks on the internal couple may be acted out in infidelity

Reading List:

Balfour, A.(2005)  “The Couple, their marriage, and Oedipus: or problems come in twos and threes.” Oedipus and the Couple, F. Grier (ed.). Karnac: London.

Nathans, S. (2012) “Infidelity as manic defence.” Couple and Family Psychoanalysis, 2:165-180

Frisch, S. and C. Frisch-Desmarez (2010) “Some thoughts on the concept of the internal parental couple.” International Journal of Psychoanalysis (2010) 91:325-342

Fee can be paid on this webpage or by check made payable to: Contemporary Psychoanalytic Couple Psychotherapy of New York LCSW P.C.; if paying by check, please RSVP to tania@cpcpnyc.com for mailing address

Course meets the qualifications for 3 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Course is recommended for licensed mental health practitioners interested in learning about psychoanalytic thought, couple psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and technique. Course completion certificates will be awarded via email, to those who attend all sessions of the course, after the completion of an online course evaluation.

Cancellation requests made more than 3 weeks prior to the event will be given a full refund of registration fees. Refunds will not be granted for cancellation requests made within 3 weeks of the event, for no-shows on the day of the event, or for missed events. For further information, for information about accessibility for participants with disabilities, or to address grievances, please contact tania@cpcpnyc.com.

Contemporary Psychoanalytic Couple Psychotherapy of New York, NY LCSW, PC, CEP #0263 is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers.

Contemporary Psychoanalytic Couple Psychotherapy of New York, NY, LCSW, PC is a long-distance provider of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences under CAMFT #130883.