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I'M SPEAKING!
Tammy Nelson
- Sex Therapy for Relationship Therapists: Why You Can't Do Couples Work Without It
October 8-10, 2026 I Live in San Francisco & Online
Our Most Trusted Annual Gathering for Couples Therapists Returns!
Join our cast of carefully selected leaders who are shaping the future of couples therapy and sharing practical ideas you can use right away in your practice.
Each day, we’re focusing on key themes critical to your clinical success including:
- Attachment: Managing Emotions and Trauma – Discover the attachment dynamics driving your clients’ struggles and gain tools to transform emotional overwhelm into connection.
- Differentiation: Conflict, Polarizations and Unique Relationship Challenges - Learn practical frameworks for guiding couples through gridlock fueled by ADHD, autism, substance use patterns, or other relational differences—without losing the “me” or the “we.”
- Sex, Intimacy & Affairs - Strengthen your clinical approach to sexual dynamics, rebuilding intimacy, and navigating the aftermath of affairs.
Pricing
Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 8th
Attachment, Managing Emotions and Trauma
8:00 am – 9:15 am: Ellyn Bader
Building Capacity for Attachment, Differentiation, and Ongoing Intimacy:
A Developmental Approach to Couples Therapy
9:15 am – 9:35 am: MORNING BREAK
9:35 am – 11:35 am: Wayne Baker
Injury and Trauma Activation in Couples:
Using IFS-Informed and Neuroscience-Based Interventions to Increase Safety
11:35 am – 12:55 pm: LUNCH BREAK
12:55 pm – 2:55 pm: George Faller
Micro-Moves in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT):
Staying Oriented, Working Through Blocks, and Creating Change Events In-Session
2:55 pm – 3:15 pm: AFTERNOON BREAK
3:15 PM – 5:15 PM: Janina Fisher
When Intimacy Feels Unsafe:
Healing the Legacy of Traumatic Attachment in Couples
5:15 PM: Join us in the exhibit hall for after hours fun!
Friday, October 9th
Differentiation: Conflict, Polarizations and Unique Relationship Challenges
8:00 am – 9:15 am: Ramani Durvasula
Treating Betrayal Trauma
Help Clients Who Experience Narcissistic Abuse & Antagonistic Relational Stress
9:15 am – 9:35 am: MORNING BREAK
9:35 am – 11:35 am: Fiona O'Farrell
Why “Communication Skills” Fail
Consent, Differentiation, and the Real Work of Couples Therapy
11:35 am – 12:55 pm: LUNCH BREAK
12:55 pm – 2:55 pm: Michelle Frank
Neuroaffirming Couples Therapy:
What You Need to Know to Adapt Your Practice for Minds of All Kinds
2:55 pm – 3:15 pm: AFTERNOON BREAK
3:15 PM – 5:15 PM: Ellyn Bader & Misha Saidov
Overcoming a Victim Mindset
Using Metacognitive Programming to Identify and Deconstruct Victimhood
5:15 PM: Join us in the exhibit hall for after hours fun!
Saturday, October 10th
Sex, Intimacy & Affairs
8:00 am – 9:15 am: Tammy Nelson
Sex Therapy for Relationship Therapists:
Why You Can’t Do Couples Work Without It
9:15 am – 9:35 am: MORNING BREAK
9:35 am – 11:35 am: Alexandra Solomon
Post-Infidelity Couple Therapy:
Tending to Pain & Possibility
11:35 am: Closing
Couples Therapy Conference Faculty
Ellyn Bader PhD
Couples Therapy Pioneer, Developmental Model Founder & This Years Conference Host
Alexandra Solomon PhD
Author Loving Bravely and Host of Re-Imagining Love
Alexandra Solomon PhD
Author Loving Bravely and Host of Re-Imagining Love
George Faller LMFT
President, NY Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy
Janina Fisher PhD
Renowned Trauma Expert and Author
Michelle Frank PsyD
Neuroaffirming ADHD specialist integrating Gottman methods for empowered couple healing
Wayne Baker LPC
Infidelity‑recovery specialist blending IFS, EMDR, and experiential couples therapy
Tammy Nelson PhD, CSCT
Founder of The Integrative Sex Therapy Institute
Fiona O'Farrell PhD, LMFT, CST-S
Sex, Intimacy, and Relationship Expert
Get the couples therapy skills and insight you need...
...to help your clients when they need it most.
Get the latest insights from
- The Developmental Model
- Gottman Method
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
- Relational Self-Awareness (RSA)
- Antagonism‑Informed Approach (AIA)
- Integrative Sex & Couples Therapy
- Cognitive and Mindfulness Based Approaches
On today's most important issues
- Infidelity and Recovery
- Traumatic Stress
- Conflict and Communication
- ADHD and Neurodivergence
- Narcissism and Antagonistic Relationships
- Sex and Intimacy
- Addictions
- Victim Mentalities