Events

Couples Therapy Case Consultation Group

Small-group case consultation for couples therapists: get live coaching, tools, and peer support to confidently navigate your most complex client cases.

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Become the Confident, Unshakable Couples Therapist Your Clients Need

Do you ever leave a couples session thinking…

  • “I wish I knew exactly what to do next.”
  • “This couple is stuck — and now I’m feeling stuck too.”
  • “I’m confident with individuals, but with couples I sometimes feel on shaky ground.”

If so, this space is for you.

Couples work is some of the most emotionally complex, high-stakes therapy we do. It takes strong leadership, emotional containment, a place to explore our countertransference. Most of us don’t have a roadmap—or a trusted place to check in, ask questions, or feel supported.

That’s why I’m offering a new small-group experience: to give you the tools, clarity, and community to navigate your most challenging couples, while building your confidence and client retention.

The couples cases you and your fellow participants bring to group may be facing some of the most challenging and emotionally charged issues therapists encounter — from sex and intimacy struggles to infidelity, communication breakdowns, uncertainty about staying together, addiction, and the impact of trauma. You might also bring cases dealing with blended family stress, chronic conflict, parenting differences, or emotional disconnection.

This work challenges even the most seasoned therapists – and often we do in isolation. In this group, no topic is off-limits — you’ll receive grounded, experience-based perspectives to help you navigate even the toughest situations with clarity and confidence – all alongside the community and support of fellow clinicians.

“I wanted to thank you Michelle for helping me to feel calm and confident in supporting both members of the couple, and just overall feeling like I can handle what is thrown my way!” – Laura, MFT

What You Will Get:

  • 1. Expert Facilitation
    You’ll be guided by Michelle Joy, MFT with 20+ years specializing exclusively in couples therapy, training other therapists, and integrating advanced tools like the Developmental Model and the Enneagram into relationship work.
  • 2. Skill Reflection & Progress Snapshot
    You’ll begin with a short self-assessment to identify your strengths and growth edges in couples work. Three months later, you’ll revisit it to notice shifts, wins, and areas that feel stronger — giving you a clear snapshot of your progress, while pointing to continued areas of growth.
  • 3. Curated, Battle-Tested Tools
    Receive go-to interventions, handouts, and strategies that work in high-conflict, emotionally charged, or stuck couples cases — plus resources shared by other experienced members.
  • 4. Live Coaching & Role Play
    We don’t just talk about cases — we try things on in real time. Whether it’s running a role play or walking through a high-impact intervention, you’ll get immediate tools you can use in your next session.
  • 5. Organic Mini-Trainings
    Every meeting will naturally weave in short teaching segments as cases unfold — so the learning is directly tied to real client challenges, not theoretical lectures.
  • 6. Trusted, Ongoing Network
    A safe, confidential group where you can share vulnerabilities, navigate countertransference, and build lasting referral relationships with other couples therapists.

Fellow clinicians will also offer guidance and perspectives on your cases through their own therapeutic experiences and modalities.

“I am a much better and more capable couples therapist as a result of Michelle’s great teaching. She gave me the deeper-level knowledge and skill development to feel confident in my work with couples.” ~Richard Litvak

Which couples therapy approaches will be used?

Michelle’s approach is Enneagram-informed, rooted in the Bader/Pearson Developmental Model of Couples Therapy and enriched by over 20 years of experience with a variety of other modalities including EFT, IFS, Gottman, Esther Perel, Terry Real, neuroscience and more.

All clinicians will share guidance and insights from their own approaches, building upon your current orientation and methods. This will make the group a very rich and eclectic learning experience.

“Michelle is a great teacher and has helped me navigate and solve problems with very challenging couples. I have a deep respect and gratitude for her wisdom.” ~Jaye Moyer, LCSW-R

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Meet Your Instructor

Michelle Joy, M.A., MFT has been affiliated with The Couples Institute in Menlo Park, CA since 2002. A graduate of the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy – Advanced Level, she teaches advanced classes, provides consultations, and offers communication workshops for partners. She has presented nationally for PESI.com and CAMFT, and also teaches in Dr. Ellyn Bader’s online course, reaching therapists worldwide.

Important Details

💳 Registration Fee
The registration fee is non-refundable. However, you may apply your payment toward a future training by Michelle.

🤝 Commitment Policy
Your spot is reserved for the full commitment period, ensuring group continuity, cohesiveness, learning and safety. Payment is required regardless of attendance.

🔒 Confidentiality
For the privacy of both clients and therapists, sessions are not recorded.

👥 Small Group Format
Enrollment is limited to ensure personalized attention, rich discussion, and in-depth case support.

Registration

Target Audience: Mental health professionals who would like to learn how to deepen their work with couples.

Meetings Every other Wednesday, twice per month

Dates Beginning January 21st, 2025, with a 3-month commitment

Time 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM PT

Location Online via Zoom

Fee 3×$77/month until 12/1/25 (or $219 in full), then 3×$99/month

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