Presenter: Scott May, LMFT
Date: October 15, 2026 | 12:00 PM MST
Format: Live, synchronous webinar | 1 hour
Content Level: Foundational/Introductory
Target Audience: Clinical Mental Health Providers
CE Credits: 1 continuing education credit
Certificates Available: ASWB, THGI
Course Description
This training gives new and experienced clinicians a practical framework for the earliest stages of couples work: assessment, rapport-building, and uncovering the relational history that shapes what's happening in the room today. Participants will learn how to gather relational history and identify presenting concerns within the first three sessions, while building a therapeutic alliance with both partners at once.
Special attention is given to the skills required to work with two clients simultaneously — managing triangulation, maintaining neutrality, and staying attuned to each partner's experience without losing the couple as the unit of treatment. The course also addresses how to recognize and begin addressing the "old skeletons" that often surface in early sessions: past conflicts, unresolved ruptures, and recurring relational patterns that can shape the course of treatment if left unaddressed.
Clinicians will leave with concrete tools they can apply in their very next couples session, whether they are early in their career or looking to sharpen their intake and assessment process.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this training, attendees will be able to:
Apply a structured framework for conducting an initial assessment with couples, including how to gather relational history and identify presenting concerns within the first three sessions.
Identify techniques for building rapport and establishing a therapeutic alliance with both partners simultaneously, while managing triangulation and maintaining neutrality.
Apply strategies for uncovering and addressing underlying relational patterns ("old skeletons") — such as past conflicts, unresolved ruptures, or recurring dynamics — that may impact the course of treatment.
Limitations, Risks, & Benefits
This training will present a limited amount of information; clinicians who desire additional depth are encouraged to seek out supplemental resources and peer-reviewed literature on this topic. As the training is delivered via an online platform, it may not replicate the full interactivity of in-person learning experiences, and the evidence base for this training's content may have limitations in generalizability across diverse populations, cultures, or practice settings. Attendees can expect to gain foundational knowledge and practical skills around the topics discussed that build upon their existing training.
Cultural Sensitivity
This training addresses how implicit bias may affect clinical decision-making, assessment, diagnosis, or treatment planning. Inclusive, affirming, and non-stigmatizing language is used throughout when working with diverse populations, and the training supports participants in building skills to engage in culturally humble and ongoing self-reflective practice.
Course Content
This foundational/introductory level training is delivered through lecture and didactic instruction, with a live question-and-answer session with the presenter to reinforce key concepts and address participant questions in real time.
Relevance
This training addresses content that is directly applicable to social work clinical practice, including assessment, intervention, and treatment planning. It reflects current peer-reviewed research and best practices within the social work and mental health professions, and is relevant to professionals across mental health disciplines, including licensed social workers, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists.
About the Presenter
Scott May, LMFT specializes in couples and relationship therapy, with particular focus on perinatal mental health, reproductive health, and sexual intimacy. He holds a Master's degree in Couple and Family Therapy from Kansas State University and a Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science, with an emphasis in Psychology, from Utah Valley University. Scott is trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (Externship and Core Skills) and holds a Postpartum Support International 2-Day Perinatal Mental Health Certificate.
Scott works with individuals and couples navigating challenges related to parenthood, communication, and differing expectations around intimacy, drawing on emotion-focused and insight-oriented approaches to help clients understand what is driving their difficulties and collaboratively build satisfying, lasting relationships. He works from a multicultural lens, striving to understand the identities and cultural values that shape each client's experience. Scott is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists.
Course Details
Delivery method: Live webinar via the Institute learning platform
Course interactivity: Lecture and didactic instruction with live Q&A
Posttest/quiz: Because this is a live course, a standard posttest is not required. Participation will be monitored throughout the session.
Certificate issuance: Certificates of credit will be issued immediately after course completion to participants who attend the full session and complete the course evaluation.
Contact for questions: institute@thehealinggroup.com
Accessibility accommodations: To request accessibility accommodations, please contact institute@thehealinggroup.com prior to the event. We are committed to making our trainings accessible to all participants.
Registration
Register online at thehealinggroupinstitute.com. Refunds are not available. Full refund and cancellation policy is available on the website.
Commercial Support & Conflict of Interest Disclosure
No commercial entity has provided funding or support for this course. Scott May has no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.
ASWB ACE Statement:
The Healing Group Institute, provider number 2716, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/31/26 – 3/31/27. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credit.