Couples and Families in Therapy When Their House is Haunted: A Family Systems Approach to Working with a Unique Population with Dr. Wallis

Description

This webinar will highlight the experiences of Dr. Darin Wallis and his unique work with individuals, couples and families as they experience paranormal phenomena in their homes or among their family members. The workshop is geared towards the connection between the psychotherapeutic field, with couples and family therapy in particular, with the paranormal experiences of families. The workshop will be of great interest to family therapists, as well as those interested in the paranormal, as it is a unique opportunity to join the two fields together. No prior experience working with the paranormal is needed for this workshop; a curiosity and openness to this subject is the only prerequisite.

This unique workshop will cover:

1. A brief review of family systems work, such as therapeutic triangles (Murray Bowen), problem development and maintenance (MRI Brief Strategic/Haley-Madanes Strategic), family structure (Structural Family Therapy), and problem resolution (Brief Solution-Focused Therapy).
2. A brief review of various paranormal phenomena (i.e., residual hauntings, ghosts/entities, poltergeist activities).
3. A general understanding of how family therapy techniques and interventions can be beneficial to families suffering from paranormal activities occurring in their home or with a particular family member.

Learning Objectives:

1. Utilize basic family therapy techniques (Strategic, Solution-Focused, Bowenian) for use with haunted house cases;
2. Describe at least two differences between residual hauntings, poltergeist activities, and demonic activities;
3. Discuss the value of understanding psychosis

Sneak Peak (via Zoom interview):

Darin Wallis, PhD, LCSW, LMFT, CACIII, AAMFT Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor. Dr. Wallis is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work and an Affiliate Faculty at Regis University in their Master’s in Marriage & Family Therapy program. Darin also teaches and is a clinical supervisor at Denver Family Institute where he is currently a Core Faculty Member, consulting on clinical supervision, and formerly the Interim Executive Director. He received his MSW from Colorado State University, his post-graduate certificate in Marriage & Family Therapy from Denver Family Institute, and his PhD in Social Work from the University of Denver. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), a Certified Addictions Counselor III (CACIII), an American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT) Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor. Darin is the Past President of the Colorado Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, is the Past Chair of the Council of Division Presidents for AAMFT, and a Past Director on the National Board of AAMFT. Dr. Wallis is the owner of the Colorado Center for Couples & Family Therapy. Darin is also part of the group practice at Denver Family Therapy Center. Dr. Wallis is also one of the founding members of the Colorado Center for Applied Systemic Thinking (CoCAST), which trains therapists on systemic/relational therapies and supervision.

Dr. Wallis has been working with families professionally since 1996. Dr. Wallis started working with families of the paranormal in the fall of 2002. This was the beginning of a deep commitment to families with the unique problems of hauntings and paranormal disturbances. The paranormal work has been augmented by Dr. Wallis’ passion for family therapy, as family therapy techniques and work have been used systematically and systemically to unite families and coordinate with clergy, psychiatrists, Native American shamans, Reiki Masters, sensitives/mediums, and other paranormal professionals.

(NBCC, APA, and AASECT CEs are available in collaboration with Advanced Mental Health Training Institute.)