Practical strategies for supporting clients experiencing challenging, antagonistic and emotionally harmful relationship dynamics in the workplace with Aleksandra Gosteva

Interpersonal conflict at work is a risk factor for reduced employee wellbeing (Oore & Dolan, 2017) and can make a productive and satisfying relationship at work all but impossible. Exposure to frequent conflicts in the workplace can result in self-doubt, confusion, self-blame, rumination, anxiety, helplessness, and hopelessness.

This practical workshop is designed for practising Arts Therapists and students. It provides an overview of what high conflict or antagonistic personality styles are, how they look, and how they can show up in different kinds of workplace relationships. It also discusses simple, practical strategies that Arts Therapists can offer to clients seeking support in navigating the dynamics of antagonistic workplace relationships. This workshop will also focus on practical Arts Therapy strategies for helping clients to heal from emotionally and psychologically harmful workplace relationships and workspaces and to access their full potential.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Becoming aware of what high conflict or antagonistic personality styles are
• Understanding how these personality styles may impact clients' health and wellbeing
• Developing knowledge of specific strategies—grounded in current psychological theory, research, and knowledge—for managing complex and antagonistic workplace relationships and reducing conflict

PRESENTER DETAILS

Aleksandra Gosteva, MHealSc, MEdPsych, MA AT (Clinical), PGDipEPP, PGDipHlthPsycPrac. Aleksandra is a New Zealand fully trained, registered Health Psychologist and Clinical Arts Therapist. With the breadth of extensive training, research and internships, she has developed specialist interests in different areas of psychology and arts therapy. Aleksandra's work mainly focuses on supporting children and adults recovering from trauma, as well as supporting children and adults with pain management, chronic illnesses, and other health issues. Aleksandra also works with organisations designing flexible and people-centred workplace interventions to improve employee and organizational health and wellbeing and develop research-based initiatives to prevent burnout.

When: Saturday 30 August 2025
Time: 10 am–12.30 pm AEST
12 pm–2.30 pm NZST (presenter time)
8 am– 10.30 am AWST/HKT/SGT
Duration/CPD: 2.5 CPD hours
Where: Zoom
Cost: $40 (+GST for Aust. members)
Open to: All members (except subscription only)
Min/Max: 15/25 participants
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)

Cancellation Policy:
When you register and pay to attend one of our events, you are holding a space on our calendar that is no longer available to other members. In order to be respectful of your fellow members and the presenter, please email us as soon as you know you will not be able to attend the event. We keep our events as affordable as possible and need to pay presenters the fee they request. While we understand sometimes urgent matters come up, if registrants cancel at the last minute, we struggle to pay presenters. A full refund will be given if the cancellation occurs more than 24 hours before the event. If the cancellation occurs less than 24 hours before the event, 50% of your registration fee will be refunded only to defray our costs.