Presented by Holli Kenley, LMFT

Course meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

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When we think of betrayal, most of us associate it with our personal relationships. However, with our lives changing at a more rapid and unstable pace accompanied by a myriad of ensuing injuries and injustices precipitated or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, people are feeling betrayed on all levels: financially, legally, professionally, relationally, politically, spiritually, etc.  While some individuals are able to bounce back rather quickly, many more struggle with the paralyzing effects of betrayal and are not able to move forward.

What I am proposing is innovative and inclusive. In my work as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I specialized in the areas of abuse, trauma, addiction, grief and loss. Although there are many valuable interventions that bring effective healing and growth for our clients struggling with these issues, I often felt as though I was missing something.  Also, I consistently felt challenged by the different kinds of betrayal that my clients were experiencing, and I felt frustrated by the ineffectiveness of both the knowledge and tools available to address betrayal injury. What I have come to learn is that betrayal injury is unique: it is often buried beneath a myriad of other presenting disorders/symptoms; it is frequently missed and dismissed; and left unattended, it continues to manifest with increasing destructiveness and devastation.

After spending several years observing clients, analyzing case studies, and synthesizing qualitative data, I have brought together a new perspective on betrayal and a recovery program tailored specifically for injury from betrayal, of any kind. 

Theory of Practice

In addressing recovery from betrayal injury, given the initial work of Breaking through the Betrayal, I will incorporate a blend of two theoretical approaches in its assessment and intervention.

1.       Client- Centered Therapy:   In working with all kinds of betrayal, it is vital to establish trust and rapport, join with the client, establish unconditional positive regard, and remain open. Following the client’s pace is critical in working through the three States of Being and in navigating their levels of exposure to their betrayers and/or their betrayal environments.

2.       Cognitive –Behavioral Therapy:  Cognitive – Behavioral Therapy is an important methodology to utilize in unhooking negative or destructive underlying assumptions and beliefs associated with the three States of Being, and in establishing or redefining new truths or beliefs. Cognitive-Behavioral exercises are also an integral part of addressing triggers, releasing of emotions, boundary setting, and beginning the process of reclaiming one’s truths and righting one’s self.

Program Description

What is betrayal? When our clients say, “I feel so betrayed,” what are they feeling and why? And how long and to what degree will they feel this way and why? Based on client observation, case analysis, and qualitative data, the “Breaking through Betrayal” workshop will introduce participants to a new perspective on betrayal examining it as a singular issue. At the same time, participants will be challenged to widen their therapeutic lens, viewing “betrayal” as a universal experience by comprehensively examining its connotations and applications into our lives. In addition, although “betrayal” may be the presenting issue, it is frequently embedded within other presenting disorders such as depression, addiction, grief/loss, and anxiety and is exacerbated by behaviors such as codependency. The “Breaking through Betrayal” workshop will offer participants new thinking into “betrayal’s” anatomy, facilitating 1) understanding degree of injury, 2) assessment of presenting symptoms/ manifestations, and 3) implementation of effective interventions.

Program Goal

To present a new perspective on the issue of betrayal allowing for more effective assessment, intervention, and treatment of betrayal injury.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe three distinct explanations of betrayal and apply them to a myriad of examples in client experiences.
2. Discuss at least one definition of betrayal’s States of Being; Name and explain the three States of Being – Confusion, Worthlessness, and Powerlessness; identify four of their respective manifestations and symptoms; discuss two effective interventions for each.
3. Recognize that through an analysis of betrayal’s anatomy, participants will be able to articulate the two principles of degree: degree of investment, trust, or belief and degree of occurrence and explain four ways in which each principle is related to symptom duration and severity.  
   
4. Describe a person’s relationships with betrayal presentations; and discuss four effective treatment implications, especially in regard to grief and co-dependency.
   

About the Presenter

Holli Kenley is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a California State Licensed Teacher. She holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling. She has worked in a variety of settings: a women’s shelter, a counseling center, and in private practice. Holli’s areas of specialized training and experience include sexual abuse and trauma, betrayal, codependency, cyber bullying, and screen addiction. Holli maintains a private practice in Rancho Mirage.

Click to watch an Interview with Holli Kenley

 Holli Kenley is the author of nine recovery books including:

• Daughters Betrayed By Their Mothers: Moving From Brokenness To Wholeness
• Second Edition of Breaking Through Betrayal: And Recovering The Peace Within 
• Power Down & Parent Up: Cyber Bullying, Screen Dependence & Raising Tech- Healthy Children

Holli is also a contributing Wellness Editor for CLEAR Life Magazine.

Holli Kenley also works in the field of psychology as an author and a workshop presenter.  She has been a six-time peer presenter at CAMFT’s Annual  State Conferences and a featured or keynote speaker at college level clinical programs, state and national advocacy organizations, and educational institutions speaking on the topics of bullying, cyber bullying, betrayal, relapse, screen dependency, sexual abuse recovery, and the power of self-worth.  Holli has been a guest on over 100 podcasts as well as on Arizona TV speaking on issues of wellness. Prior to and during her career as a therapist, Holli taught for thirty years in public education.

 Holli will be presenting at CAMFT’s 2020 Annual Conference speaking on “Technology: A Clearer Vision.”

Inland Empire Chapter of CAMFT is a CAMFT Approved CEU Provider Agency  Provider # 62278

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