In the aftermath of an affair, how does a therapist help a couple restore and strengthen their relational bond? What is an effective way to help a couple avoid the trap of “perpetrator” and “victim” and enable them to make authentic amends? To achieve these goals, therapists must help create a relational and emotional ambience in which the mutual expression and acceptance of deep regret and genuine forgiveness can occur.



In this two-hour continuing education web conference, Encounter-centered Couples Therapy (EcCT) founder, Hedy Schleifer, will explore the realm of the "encounter" for a couple who is in the throes of emotional pain and confusion after an affair. The realm of the encounter combines the words of each partner's individual story with the body's vast potential for emotional and spiritual expression. Attendees will enhance their clinical skills of holding space for the individuals as they enter a new connection as a couple.



Hedy will delve into the EcCT Amends Journey, a ritual that helps couples heal the rupture of an affair and create a relational space of compassion and forgiveness. EcCT teaches couples to become "bilingual" by learning and internalizing the vocabulary of their partner so each other’s narrative becomes fully understood. Attendees will develop a clearer vision of how to achieve a more relaxed and responsive therapeutic stance with couples after an affair. 



Hedy will decode the complex distinction between the reactive, adaptive survival dance, and the intentional dance of life in connection, with a special focus on the disconnection and the re-connection after an affair. Attendees will discover that EcCt is an original approach for helping couples heal from the recent wounds of an affair, as well as old wounds from their own childhoods, to generate newer and stronger bonds in the post-affair relationship.



This intermediate instructional level web conference is designed to help clinicians:




  1. Recognize the distinction between the fragmented approach based on the victim-perpetrator paradigm and the process of dissolving the victim-perpetrator "trap.”

  2. Describe at least two of the relational theories that are the underpinnings of Encounter-centered Couples Therapy.

  3. Apply a step-by-step pragmatic, therapeutic structure to support couples in healing. 

  4. Utilize practical techniques for assisting couples in growing their attention span, focus, concentration, and engaged presence to each other.

  5. Explain the concepts of the brain-bridge and limbic resonance as elements of increased internal regulation and finer attunement for the couple.



If you have any questions or concerns about this web conference, or would like more information, please contact us here.


How the Web Conference Works

Before the scheduled event, all registered attendees will be sent a reminder email from GoodTherapy.org with specific instructions on how to log in to the web conference center, as well as links to optional handout materials if applicable. 



To attend the event, registered attendees will log in to the web conference center using a computer or device (smartphone or tablet with internet access) and calling in to the teleconference line on a phone. Attendees will be able to ask live audio questions via phone and/or submit text chat questions via their computer or device. Attendees who are logged in to the event center will be able to see live streaming video and/or document sharing. Alternatively, attendees may dial in to the teleconference line only, though attendees dialing in by phone only will be unable to ask questions. 



At the conclusion of this event, participants will receive an email with information about how to request a CE certificate in the GoodTherapy.org Member's Area. To confirm attendance, participants must enter the start and end codes announced at the beginning and end of the live presentation. Participants will also be prompted to complete an online survey evaluating the event. Participants will need to complete this online survey within six days after the event. Once completed, participants will be able to download a copy of their CE certificate instantly. 



For additional information about this event or our CE grievance procedures, please contact us here.


Continuing Education (CE) Information

2 CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety. 

GoodTherapy.org is an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within counseling services. 

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395.

GoodTherapy.org, LLC 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 marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

Event Reviews from Members

Excellent for couples connecting at a higher level.Jan Nolan, LCSW-C

Beautifully presented from a place of deep compassion and understanding. - Joanna Singh, LMSW

Meet the Presenter

Hedy Schleifer, MA

Hedy Schleifer, MA is an internationally known Master Relationship Builder, trainer, workshop presenter, and motivational speaker. Hedy earned her Master of Arts in Clinical and Child Psychology from Tel Aviv University in Israel and is a licensed clinical psychologist in Israel.



Certified by Harville Hendrix, PhD as an Imago therapist, workshop presenter, and clinical instructor, Hedy and her husband, Yumi, pioneered the expansion of Imago Relationship Therapy in many countries around the world. They have trained hundreds of therapists and workshop presenters and led relationship workshops for couples.



Hedy founded the Tikkun Learning Center in 2010 to train relationship therapists in Encounter-centered Couples Therapy® (EcCT) which shares the concept of the “three invisible connectors”: the Space, the Bridge, and the Encounter.



Today, Yumi has retired, and Hedy continues to bring her passion and expertise in the art of relationships and conflict dissolution to couples.



Now called the Encounter-centered Couples Transformation®, Hedy shares an integrative and interdisciplinary model for relationship building. It lies at the intersection of philosophy, clinical theory, organizational methodology, and relational neurobiology and based on four main pillars: the philosophy of Martin Buber, Imago Relationship Theory and Practice, Appreciative Inquiry and the new frontier of Relational Neurobiology and Memory Reconsolidation. It is an approach that promotes transformational change, a visceral, cellular and internal shift, one that is dependable and sustainable.



Hedy guides partners toward this kind of transformation through what she calls the “Art of Connection,” teaching them how to turn their relationship into a living laboratory for the development of relational intelligence and how to fill their partnership with creativity, wisdom and generosity of spirit. Relational intelligence puts partners on the path to relational maturity and is at the core of having successful relationships both personally and professionally.



Hedy believes world peace begins with the human family, and that this peace can best be achieved by creating strong relationships that grow into committed, mature partnerships.



For more information about Hedy Schleifer and her work, please visit www.hedyschleifer.com