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When the Relationship Goes Off the Rails: Countertransference & Relational Ruptures in Trauma Work

Sunday, April 26th, 2026   1:45 PM EDT -4:45 PM EDT
Robert T. Muller, PhD
$59.99 Cost For Member: $39.99

This three-hour clinical workshop explores countertransference dynamics and relational ruptures that commonly emerge in trauma-focused psychotherapy. Trauma survivors often present with complex attachment patterns, emotional avoidance, and heightened sensitivity to interpersonal misattunements. These dynamics frequently activate strong reactions in the therapist, which—if unrecognized—can lead to enactments, defensiveness, or ruptures in the therapeutic alliance.

Using a relational, attachment-informed, psychodynamic framework, Dr. Muller will examine how therapists can identify early warning signs of countertransference activation, understand the relational functions these reactions may serve, and intervene in ways that strengthen rather than destabilize the therapeutic relationship. Emphasis is placed on moment-to-moment awareness, therapist vulnerability, and the capacity to tolerate affective intensity in the room.

Through didactic instruction, guided discussion, case examples, and recorded therapy demonstrations, participants will learn practical strategies for repairing alliance ruptures, restoring safety, and fostering posttraumatic growth following relational strain. The workshop draws from Dr. Muller’s clinical and research experience as well as concepts from contemporary attachment theory. The goal is to enhance clinicians’ ability to manage interpersonal challenges inherent in trauma work and use relational disruptions as opportunities for healing and integration.

 

About the Presenter

Robert T. Muller, Ph.D. trained at Harvard, was on faculty at the University of Massachusetts, and is currently at York University in Toronto. Dr. Muller is a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD) for his work on trauma treatment. His newest therapy book, Trauma and the Struggle to Open Up, was awarded the 2019 ISSTD award for the year's best written work on trauma. And his award-winning bestseller, "Trauma & the Avoidant Client" has been translated widely. As lead investigator on several multi-site programs to treat interpersonal trauma, Dr. Muller has lectured internationally (Australia, UK, Europe, USA), and has been keynote speaker at mental health conferences in New Zealand and Canada. He founded an online magazine, "The Trauma & Mental Health Report," that is now visited by over 100,000 readers a year. With over 30 years in the field, he practices in Toronto.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify at least three countertransference patterns commonly activated during trauma treatment.
  2. Describe how attachment-based relational dynamics contribute to therapist-client enactments.
  3. Describe how attachment-based relational dynamics contribute to therapist-client enactments.
  4. Demonstrate two strategies to navigate and repair relational ruptures in trauma therapy.
  5. Explain how rupture-repair processes can facilitate posttraumatic growth in clients.

Agenda:

Three-Hour Workshop Agenda (180 minutes)

0:00–0:10 (10 min)
• Welcome, goals, overview of relational approaches in trauma therapy
• Brief introduction to the role of attachment theory in therapeutic relationships

0:10–0:40 (30 min)
• Understanding countertransference in trauma treatment
• Common countertransference patterns with avoidant, disorganized, and highly defended clients
• Therapist emotional awareness & activation cues

0:40–1:10 (30 min)
• Relational enactments: How therapist and client co-create interpersonal patterns
• Case examples illustrating escalation, withdrawal, and misattunement

1:10–1:20 (10 min) — Break

1:20–2:00 (40 min)
• Working with relational ruptures: Identification & moment-to-moment interventions
• Differentiating withdrawal ruptures vs. confrontation ruptures
• Skills for slowing down the process, naming the rupture, and reestablishing safety

2:00–2:30 (30 min)
• Repair strategies and using rupture-repair cycles for posttraumatic growth
• Demonstration via case material or recorded therapy segments
• Managing therapist vulnerabilities and maintaining the frame

2:30–3:00 (30 min)
• Integrating concepts into clinical practice
• Discussion, questions, and application to participants’ clinical scenarios


This workshop offers 3 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: intermediate
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.
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  • CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0122.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.