In a word: Science! The Gottman’s work is grounded in 40 years of research with more than 3000 couples. 86 percent of people who complete this couples workshop make significant progress on conflicts that once felt “gridlocked” These numbers are a big improvement over other forms of marital intervention. For example, acclaimed marriage researcher Neil Jacobson conducted an evaluation of one of the most highly regarded therapy methods and showed that only 35 percent of couples using it improved their marriages.
This workshop is designed for ALL couples in a committed relationship. Research shows that on average, couples wait six years from the first signs of problems to get relationship help. It is designed to strengthen your marriage or relationship. If you have a strong relationship, this workshop will provide you with insights and tools to make it a great one. If your relationship is distressed, this two-day workshop will provide a road map for repair. No public discussion or disclosure is involved. All work is done as a couple.
This two-day workshop will give you new insights and research-based relationship skills that can dramatically improve the intimacy and friendship in your relationship and help you resolve conflict in a healthy, productive way. At the workshop, couples will learn how to:
– Foster respect, affection, and closeness
– Build and share a deeper connection with each other’s inner world
– Keep conflict discussions calm
– Break through and resolve conflict gridlock
– Strengthen and maintain the gains in your relationship
If a couple is dealing with physical abuse or battering, this workshop may not be appropriate. In these cases, please consult a trained couples therapist in your area.
No! Absolutely not. This workshop is focused on education and learning skills. We will share information about what research over the last 40 years tells us about what makes relationships work and then we will give you an activity to do with your partner. You and your partner will then find a quiet place to sit together to do the activity together in privacy.
Workshop sizes vary considerably depending on where they are held. In major cities around 20 – 30 couples usually attend. In regional areas we generally see 10-15 couples register. Either way every couple has the same opportunities to learn new skills and have their questions answered over the weekend.
The 2 days are split up into 8 – 90 minute sessions (roughly). In each session we begin by discussing different findings from the research of Dr John Gottman and then giving couples an activity to do to help them build the skills they need to be about to put those findings into action. Over half of the 2 days is focused on you and your partner working together to build new skills, new understanding, new ideas and new plans into making your relationship happier, closer and more satisfying.
Attending an ASL Workshop is shown to have similar benefits to that of 6 months of relationship therapy, and 94% of participants who have attended, report positive results moving forward.
Absolutely. This workshop is designed for all couples who are in a committed and long-term relationship. Whether you are dating, engaged, living together or married, we encourage EVERY couple to attend and learn skills that will last you a lifetime.
Yes! All couples and all genders are welcome. The Gottman Institute conducted a 12 year study on same-sex couples and concluded that all couples, irrespective of gender and orientation, were subject to many of the same challenges and trials as well as successes as heterosexual couples.