Description:
OPD Points: 5
Psychoanalytic couple therapy offers a rich and insightful lens into the unconscious dynamics that shape couple relationships. Far beyond surface-level conflict, this approach views romantic partnerships as emotionally charged spaces where unresolved past experiences, unconscious expectations, and deep attachment patterns play out.
In this compelling CPD session, Tertia Myers, a Johannesburg-based psychoanalytic psychotherapist, introduces the core concepts of psychoanalytic couple therapy, including the idea of the “couple fit”, the shared unconscious, and the therapist’s role in navigating complex relational patterns. The course addresses common presenting issues such as conflicts around sex, money, and parenting, and equips clinicians with techniques to assess and intervene effectively with couples.
Session Topics
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Introduction to Psychoanalytic Couple Therapy
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Understanding the “Couple Fit” and Shared Unconscious
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Common Themes: Sex, Money, and Children
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Assessment and Formulation in Couple Work
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Psychoanalytic Techniques in Practice
Ideal for psychologists seeking to expand their work into couples therapy or to deepen their understanding of relational psychodynamics, this session blends theory and clinical insight for practical application.
Key Learning Objectives / Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Understand the foundational principles of psychoanalytic couple therapy.
Identify unconscious dynamics that contribute to conflict and intimacy issues.
Explore the concept of the “couple fit” and its clinical implications.
Assess and conceptualise couples from a psychoanalytic perspective.
Apply therapeutic techniques tailored to managing common couple difficulties.
Assessment:
Presenter / Provider:
Tertia Myers
Presenter Qualifications:
Tertia Myers is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist based in Johannesburg, with a special focus on couple therapy. Her clinical work draws on deep psychodynamic theory to explore how early relational experiences shape adult intimate relationships. Tertia has a reputation for making complex psychoanalytic ideas accessible and relevant, and she is committed to helping practitioners develop confidence in navigating the emotionally nuanced terrain of couple therapy.
