Dr. Dana McNeil, PsyD, LMFT       

Dr. Dana McNeil is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and one of fewer than 500 Certified Gottman Therapists worldwide. She is the founder of The Relationship Place in San Diego, a group practice specializing in evidence-based couples therapy for diverse relationships, including LGBTQ+, military, and high-conflict couples. Dana is a sought-after speaker at professional conferences and is recognized for her engaging, research-based approach to helping partners rebuild trust, improve communication, and deepen connection.   

Jeffrey Young, LMFT     

Jeffrey Young, LMFT, is a Gottman Level 3 Trained therapist licensed in California and Texas with extensive experience in couples, family, and addiction recovery work. He has worked in outpatient, hospital, community settings, and is skilled in integrating Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Together, they bring decades of clinical expertise, research-informed interventions, and a passion for helping couples strengthen connection, resolve conflict, and create lasting change.    

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How to Avoid Collusion When Working with Couples in Therapy-From Subtle Bias to Stronger Bonds: Advanced Tools for Couples Therapy    

Saturday | May 2, 2026
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm  
(1.5 CEs)

Description:

A 2022 survey published in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy found that nearly 68% of couples therapists admitted to occasionally feeling more aligned with one partner over the other during sessions — and most reported this alignment happened unintentionally. While understandable, this form of therapist collusion can stall progress, reinforce unhealthy patterns, and erode trust in the therapeutic process. 

Collusion doesn’t always look like “taking sides.” It can be subtle — such as validating one partner’s hurt without equally acknowledging the other’s perspective, avoiding difficult feedback, or unconsciously aligning with the more articulate, charismatic, or emotionally expressive partner.

In this engaging workshop, Certified Gottman Therapist Dr. Dana McNeil will explore the hidden pitfalls of collusion and the micro-moments where it sneaks in. We’ll examine clinical examples that illustrate how collusion can occur even for seasoned therapists, and we’ll break down strategies to maintain neutrality without sacrificing empathy or rapport.  

We’ll discuss: 

• Recognizing early warning signs of collusion in session 
• How therapist bias, personal values, and cultural dynamics can tilt the balance 
• Interventions that create a “we’re in this together” atmosphere without letting damaging patterns go unchecked 
• Live examples of re-framing statements, redirecting conversation, and using “be curious vs. furious” to maintain a balanced therapeutic stance 

Participants will leave with tools, scripts, and a prevention checklist they can use immediately to increase trust, accountability, and therapeutic momentum with couples across diverse backgrounds and presenting problems. 

Objectives of Presentation:

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Identify the subtle signs of therapist collusion and understand how it can undermine treatment outcomes in couples therapy. 
• Evaluate the impact of personal biases, unresolved countertransference, and over-identification with one partner on the therapy process.  
• Apply Gottman Method interventions and other evidence-based strategies to maintain therapeutic neutrality and alliance with both partners. 
• Practice language and questioning techniques that reduce defensiveness, increase curiosity, and foster shared responsibility for change.
• Develop a personalized “collusion prevention checklist” to use in clinical practice with high-conflict or emotionally charged couples.