Walking on Eggshells: Working with High-Conflict and Emotionally Dysregulated Clients

What you'll learn

• Identify at least six characteristics of high-conflict clients and describe the biopsychosocial factors contributing to these presentations.
• Recognize and respond to common patterns in high-conflict interactions including splitting, projective identification, testing behaviors, and escalation cycles.
• Implement Linehan's six levels of validation to de-escalate emotional intensity without reinforcing problematic behaviors.
• Establish clear, consistent boundaries using a compassionate yet firm approach, distinguishing between limit-setting and punishment.
• Apply dialectical behavior therapy principles including radical acceptance, wise mind, and dialectical thinking to high-conflict clinical situations.
• Identify and manage personal emotional reactions and countertransference triggered by high-conflict clients.
• Develop treatment frames and session structures that maximize therapeutic benefit while minimizing harm and preventing burnout.
• Utilize consultation, supervision, and self-care strategies essential for sustainable work with high-conflict populations.

Who it's for

Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, National Certified Counselors

Approval & credit

CounselorReady is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP #7760). This course awards 3 NBCC-approved CE hours; a certificate is issued on completion. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CounselorReady is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.