Treating Stressed Out Couples: Interventions to Help Partners Navigate Stress & Improve Their Relationship

As a couples therapist, you’ve likely worked with clients who are either withdrawn or too dysregulated to engage in productive conversations. Sessions may start with frazzled, angry, or numb partners, and just as progress begins, emotions escalate or shut down entirely.

Outside of therapy, these couples are often overwhelmed—juggling parenting, work demands, caregiving, finances, and health concerns. The weight of these stressors seeps into their relationships, making it even harder to communicate and connect.

Traditional interventions like active listening and compromise may fall flat, leaving couples stuck in session and struggling at home. Over time, they may lose faith in therapy altogether.

This training will help you recognize the role of stress in these dynamics and equip you with practical strategies to keep sessions on track—so you can feel effective again and help couples rebuild connection.

Learning Objectives

• Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to assess the role and impact of stress when clients present with dysregulation in session.
• Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to develop strategies to help both partners take accountability for the role they play in their own stress.
• Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to demonstrate use of a three-part system for helping couples manage stress within and outside the relationship.

Additional Details

• Instructors: Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT
• Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
• Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM EST
• Location: Hybrid Event: Online & In-Person
• Continuing Education Credits: 3 (APA & AASECT)
• Target Audience: This educational activity is intended for behavioral health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, and MFT’s.
  
• Learning Levels: Beginner
• Registration Link: https://council-for-relationships.ce-go.com/treating-stressed-out-couples