Preferred registration deadline: August 7th

3 CEs

When working with clients in individual therapy, clinicians often find that family dynamics and relational patterns play a central role in maintaining distress. This workshop explores how dysfunctional family systems, such as enmeshment and maladaptive relational cycles, impact client mental health, including anxiety, depression, and overall well-being. Participants will examine how these patterns can be difficult for clients to recognize, discuss, and change.

We will address the influence of cultural values, family norms, and therapist countertransference in shaping how family dynamics are understood and addressed in practice. Participants will learn how to assess family system functioning within individual therapy, gather relevant cultural context, and reflect on their own values and biases. Through discussion and practical examples, clinicians will gain concrete strategies to support clients in processing family dynamics and making informed, meaningful decisions about relationships.

This is an in-person workshop that will be held on Washington University’s Danforth Campus. The exact location and directions will be emailed to registered participants before the course date.

General Admission: $65**
**Eligible discounts can be applied during checkout.

Class size is limited to 30.

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Course Outline

Content Level: Beginner

Target Audiences: Social Workers, Counselors, Psychologists, School Social Workers, other mental health providers.

Agenda:

• Introductions - 5 mins
• Making Sense of Concepts & Theories - 30 mins
• Cultural Considerations - 20 mins
• Clinician Countertransference - 25 mins
• Assessment Processes: Information Gathering & Stage of Change - 30 mins
• Client Intervention: Strategies for Processing & Change - 30 mins
• Case Scenario & Skills Practice - 30 mins
• Final Questions & Wrap-Up - 10 mins

Learner Outcomes

• Identify and describe common characteristics of dysfunctional family systems.
• Recognize how individual and cultural values can impact client and clinician perspectives on family dynamics.
• Identify 2-3 therapeutic strategies to support clients navigating dysfunctional family systems.

Course Completion Requirements:

• The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, Professional Development, provider #2130, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/24/2025 – 9/24/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.
• The Brown School is also an approved provider of Social Work CEs in Missouri and Illinois.
• To earn ACE credit, attendees must arrive at the scheduled time, attend the entire course, and complete an online course evaluation. ACE credit is not provided for partial attendance.  However, you may still qualify for partial Social Work Missouri and Illinois CEs provided by the Brown School.
• Brown School CE Certificates will be available online within 10 business days of course completion by visiting your learner profile at https://ce.wustl.edu/portal/logon.do?method=load&parentSite=brown.  You will receive an email notification with specific instructions for accessing the online certificate when it is available. ACE CE Certificates, if requested in your evaluation survey, will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion.
• For more information about CEs, accessibility, refund/cancelation policy, our grievance policy, or other inquiries, please visit our About Us page or email brownprofdev@wustl.edu.