Marital Distress: Assessment and Intervention at the Pre-Separation and Pre-Divorce stage.

Description: Research reveals that first time marriages for those 25 and under are at 40% more risk for separation and divorce within the first year of marriage. This risk level is the same s for second and consequence marriages among the general population. The goal of this workshop is to review the expected events for all couples within the first to fifth year of marriage and to present a simple assessment identifying: (1) degree and stage of marital distress and, (2) the issues leading to it.

About the Presenter: Robert Wolf is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#1240) and is an ordained minister of the Gospel in the Presbyterian Church in America. He is a former Marine and combat veteran of the Viet Nam era. Across the past 25 years he has counseled individuals, couples and families in a variety of settings ranging from personal and marital enrichment to crisis situations.

He operated a private practice, Crossgates Marriage and Family Enrichment Center in Brandon, Mississippi from 1986-1990. He also has broad experience in PTSD, Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Addiction, Codependency having worked as contract counselor for Jackson Recovery Center, a Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in Jackson, MS from 1986- 1991. He was the assistant Director and later Acting Director of Hebron Colony and Grace Home, Inc., a not for profit Drug and Alcohol Retreat program from 1992-1997. Previous experience includes working with the Crisis Counseling Center of Tyler (TX) primarily dealing with suicide prevention and domestic violence. Robert and his wife Sharon are licensed Foster Parents (2001) and have one adopted child.

Presently he operates a private practice in Boone, NC. He is available to the Foster Care and Adoptive community in the area of Trauma and Attachment and how such issues impact marital and family stability. He is especially committed to serving as a resource for Couples Therapy in the High Country. He is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the North Carolina Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (NCAMFT) and the North Carolina Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (NCFAPA). Robert is also a licensed Educator (K-8) in the state of Texas. He may be reached via email or by phone 828-265-1037 (Home) or 828-773-4442 (Mobile) or on the Internet at http://www.highcountrytherapy.com/

RSVP: Please contact Tammie Brettschneider, MS, NCC, LPC by email by Monday, October 26, to ask questions or confirm attendance. Please consider bringing a non-member LPC to hear about our association!

All LPCs and counseling students are welcome to join us. Our regional meetings are a great way to stay connected with your professional association, network with other LPCs in your region, and earn a CEU. Share with non-members the many benefits of membership and invite them to attend with you!