In the past, counselors and ministry leaders often addressed the “7-Year Itch,’ a trend showing a spike in divorces at the seven-year mark. Today, however, couples are ending their marriages much sooner, often within the first three years. Psychologists, licensed mental health professional, and ministry leaders will analyze on three key strategies for building, repairing, and strengthening attachment bonds during these crucial early years. Participants will evaluate factors that contribute to early marriage distress and learn bonding techniques essential for healing broken connections. This workshop will introduce a “Making the Merge” metaphor to help clients identify and address early stressors while reinforcing loving bonds. Additionally, participants key focus will be on applying “change initiatives” based on incremental, “2-Degree” shifts, which help couples make sustainable progress. Drawing on insights from EFT, Structural Therapy, and biblical principles, this session will equip participants with practical tools to support today’s couples.
607 | Secure Base in Marriage: Building Attachment Bonds in the First Three Years for Marital Longevity
PRESENTERS
John Trent, Ph.D., Kari Stageberg, M.B.A.
CE CREDITS
1.25
Approved For CE
ASWB, NBCC, IBCC, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Approved For CME/CEU
LEVEL
Advanced
Summary
Learning Objectives
1 Identify the common factors contributing to distress in the first three years of marriage and understand how to apply bonding techniques to repair broken attachments.
2 Evaluate practical skills in using the “Making the Merge” metaphor to help couples identify early relationship challenges and strengthen emotional bonds.
3 Apply and practice applying incremental, “2-Degree” changes to foster lasting, positive shifts in couples’ dynamics and strengthen long-term marital health.