Couples, Family Category

Dialogue Therapy for Couples and Real Dialogue for Opposing Sides

Methods Based on Psychoanalysis and Mindfulness

3 CE Hours
50 members have taken this course

This course has been retired. We regularly update our course catalog to ensure relevance.

Try these categories:

About the Course

This online courses is a required prerequisite for the Foundational Training in Dialogue Therapy and Real Dialogue (a live training). The course is based on the definitive manual on Dialogue Therapy and Real Dialogue, written by Jeannie Pieniadz and Polly Young-Eisendrath. Dialogue Therapy is a short-term, anxiety-provoking psychoanalytic psychotherapy for couples. Dialogue Therapy draws on psychoanalytic methods of interpreting and finding meaning in unconscious affective communication of implied or explicit emotional demands on a partner that originate in an individual’s early attachment bonds, relational trauma, or other trauma. These demands lead to “psychological complexes,” “repetition compulsions,” or implicit “blind spots” in an intimate relationship. Partners who come to therapy present their own unique dynamic field of transferences and counter-transferences to each other when they relate, especially on issues that cause threat or conflict. Dialogue Therapy also draws on Bowlby’s attachment model as it has been developed in relation to adult pair bonding.

This course is based on the book, Dialogue Therapy for Couples and Real Dialogue for Opposing Sides created by Jean Pieniadz, Ph.D. et al in 2021.

Publication Details

Publication Date: 1st Edition Jul 2021

Course Material Authors

Course Material Authors authored the material only, and were not involved in creating this CE course. They are identified here for your own evaluation of the relevancy of the material this course is based on.

Jean Pieniadz, Ph.D.

Dr. Pieniadz is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Burlington, Vermont. She has practiced Dialogue Therapy since 2000. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in UVM’s College of Medicine, supervising psychiatry residents, graduate students, and established professionals in the field. She is also a founding, and current, faculty and board member at the Vermont Institute for the Psychotherapies (VIP). She has conducted research and published in developmental psychology, neuropsychology, feminist pedagogy, and ethics.

Polly Young-Eisendrath, Ph.D.

Dr. Young-Eisendrath is a Jungian analyst, psychologist, and psychotherapist in private practice. She is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Vermont and the founder and director of the Institute for Dialogue Therapy. Polly is the author or editor of eighteen books, ranging from parenting, adult development, intimate and parental love, Buddhist theory, Jungian psychology to women’s development, couple therapy, couple development, and various paths to awakening/enlightenment from meditation to personal love. She is past president of the Vermont Association for Psychoanalytic Studies and a founding member of the Vermont Institute for the Psychotherapies.

Course Creator

Polly Young-Eisendrath, Ph.D.

Dr. Young-Eisendrath is a Jungian analyst, psychologist, and psychotherapist in private practice. She is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Vermont and the founder and director of the Institute for Dialogue Therapy. Polly is the author or editor of eighteen books, ranging from parenting, adult development, intimate and parental love, Buddhist theory, Jungian psychology to women’s development, couple therapy, couple development, and various paths to awakening/enlightenment from meditation to personal love. She is past president of the Vermont Association for Psychoanalytic Studies and a founding member of the Vermont Institute for the Psychotherapies.

Target Audience

Mental health professionals, including counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists and social workers. This course is appropriate for all levels of knowledge as well as for non-mental health professionals, such as coaches, facilitators, mediators, human resource managers and leaders.

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Outline the concept of projective identification as it relates to the idealization and disillusionment phases of intimate relationships.
  2. 2 Identify three techniques drawn from psychodrama in facilitation of development of communication skills and empathy in couples.
  3. 3 Describe the function and application of mindfulness practices in reducing emotional reactivity and negative repetitions within couples and other relationships.

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Material Authors

There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Course Creator

Polly Young-Eisendrath, Ph.D. – Receives royalties as a published author.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

Use our CE Approvals tool to look up your state requirements and how can help you meet them, or log in to your member account to show approvals relevant to your licensure.

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Apr 30th, 2026
CE Learning Systems has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5951. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE Learning Systems is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 3 NBCC hour(s) awarded.
More Info
Logo: Approved Education Provider - NBCC

NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Sep 29th, 2026
This course has been approved by CE Learning Systems, service provider of Impact CE, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #192243, CE Learning Systems is responsible for all aspects of their programming.
More Info
NAADAC Approved Education Provider

Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling (FL CSW, MFT, MHC)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Mar 27th, 2027
Impact CE, a service of CE Learning Systems, is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling (Provider # 50-315).
More Info

Florida Certification Board (FCB)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2027
Impact CE, a service of CE learning Systems, is approved by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) to offer continuing education programs (Provider # 5069A).
More Info

Florida Board of Psychology

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2029
Impact CE, a service of CE Learning Systems, is approved by the Florida Board of Psychology (Provider # 50-315).
More Info

Illinois Dept of Professional Regulation - MFT (IDFPRMFT)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 26th, 2027
CE-credit.com's distant learning courses are available for continuing education as required by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. CE Sponsor #168.000251.
More Info

Missouri Credentialing Board (MCB)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2026
AddictionCounselorCE is an approved provider of the Missouri Substance Abuse Professional Credentialing Board (Provider #101). AddictionCounselorCE maintains responsibility for this course and its contents.
More Info

Virginia Certification Board (VCB)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Jul 31st, 2026
Virginia Certification Board educational provider # 106
More Info

Course Material from Amazon

Course Material from Amazon

Purchase from Amazon

Course material from Publisher

This is the same book as the above link. This link will lead to the publisher of the book where you can make your purchase.

Access Course Material

Viewing External Material

This course material is hosted by , a web site separate from Impact CE. When you're done, just close the tab/window to return to this course page.

Exam Questions

All exam questions for the course are visible on this page for members of Impact CE.

Membership is free, and you can register today! You'll only pay when you're ready to purchase a course, or if you take advantage of the Unlimited Package.

If you're already a member, please sign in to see the exam questions for this and all other courses.

Discuss this course

You can share your thoughts about this course after you pass the exam.

Sign In or Register to get started.
$27

Course Details

3 CE Hours
Book
Course 103084

Profession Group

  • Behavioral Health

Related Topics

Couples

Availability

This course is retired. It is no longer available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most likely. Look Up Your State Board for more detailed information. Logged-in site members will see the relevant approval information displayed in the Approvals tab for every course.

If you are having trouble using Impact CE, please contact us! We would be happy to accommodate your needs right away, and your input will help us make Impact CE more accessible for future users too.

Use the Enroll In This Course button and just follow the instructions! You don't pay anything until you're ready to take an exam.

To complete the course, review the course objectives, then review the material, and then pass the exam with a score of 75% or greater and lastly complete an evaluation.

Most of our self-paced courses are based on online articles available for free to the public. Some courses, such as those based on books, require that you purchase the material. Use the Materials tab for more info. Live courses simply require that you attend.

Your certificate(s) will be available to download or email immediately when you pass the course exam and complete the evaluation.

Yes! Use the Help widget at the bottom-right of the screen anywhere on Impact CE to search our help docs, or to ask our support team for help. Unlike most of our competitors, Impact CE has live US-based support reps to help you by email, chat, or phone.

Start your CE Journey now - complete your first course today, on us.

Try for free - no commitment required.

Start a Free Trial Course

Continuing Education

Copyright © 2026 CE Learning Systems LLC

Please Confirm