What to Expect at Our Gottman Couples Retreat
What Will Attendees Learn From the Gottman Couples Retreat
Make conflict work for your relationship
Deepen intimacy and build trust
Identify your solvable vs. perpetual issues
Strengthen your foundation of friendship
Collaborate more effectively to solve problems
Communicate clearly and effectively
A Safe and Supportive Environment
Experience a welcoming and judgment-free space where you and your partner can openly explore your relationship dynamics. The retreat provides a platform for deep connection, understanding, and the opportunity to build a stronger foundation for your shared journey.
How Is the Gottman Retreat Different From Couples Therapy?
The retreat differs from traditional couples therapy in several ways, and it can offer more condensed guidance in a shorter period of time.
Focus on Education and Skill-Building: The Gottman retreat doesn't delve into past issues, it’s more focused on education and skill-building. Participants learn specific strategies and techniques for strengthening their relationship that can be applied immediately.
Structured Format: Gottman retreats follow a very structured format. This approach ensures that couples receive comprehensive guidance on all aspects of building a healthy marriage within a relatively short period of time.
Intensive Immersion: Unlike traditional therapy, which may involve weekly or bi-weekly sessions spread out over a longer period of time, our Gottman retreat provides an intensive immersion experience, which can accelerate the learning process and facilitate deeper insights and breakthroughs.
Practical Exercises and Activities: Gottman retreats incorporate a variety of practical exercises, activities, and role-plays designed to help couples apply the principles they're learning in real-time. These hands-on experiences can deepen understanding, foster connection, and promote lasting change.
Not Sure? Take Our Free Intro Class
Sign up for our FREE 2-Hour virtual informational session and get a sneak peek into the key principles that form the foundation of the workshop, from facilitator Rich Dempsey, LPCC, and understand how each principle can be applied to your unique relationship for positive change.
Discover the science-backed secrets behind lasting marriages.
Gain insight into the research-based principles from the bestselling Seven Principles book.
Find hope in understanding how divorce predictions can ignite positive change.
Unlock the keys to an emotionally intelligent marriage.
Explore why saving your marriage is worth the effort.
Learn how friendship forms the foundation of happy marriages.
Reignite the flame of romance through friendship.
Build a strong relationship house built on trust and commitment.
Master conflict management basics.
Participate in engaging exercises to enhance your relationship.
Itinerary for the Gottman Couples Retreat
Friday
We begin by taking a deep dive into John Gottman’s research focusing on how to identify the most serious threats to your marriage. You will learn how to build a strong foundation for your relationship to withstand the ups and downs of life together. Focusing on enhancing your friendship will be a big part of our time tonight. Highlights include learning how certain relationship patterns predict relationship breakdown, learning what actually makes marriages work, including instruction, demonstration, and practicing the skills needed to deploy principles 1 and 2 in your lives together.
4:00pm…… Retreat begins, Light refreshments provided
Lecture on Chapters 1-3
5:30…….. Bio Break
Principles 1 and 2
Role Play demonstrations
Couples Exercises and Q&A
7pm…….. Evening concludes
Saturday
Today you will be learning to manage conflict like a boss! We will discuss the various types of conflict and skills for managing it well. We focus on avoiding relationship disasters and becoming masters of relationships. We will work through creating a sense of shared purpose and profound meaning together. Finally we will explore the ways to leave a positive legacy behind.
8:00am……..Workshop Begins, light refreshments provided
Introduction
Principles 3 and 4
9:30am……..10-minute Bio-Break
Principles 5
11:00pm…….Lunch Break, lunch provided
12:00pm……Workshop Resumes
Principle 6
1:30pm…….10-minute Bio-Break
Principle 7
5:00pm…….Workshop Ends
Who is Not Appropriate for This Workshop?
Couples who are experiencing active addiction issues, domestic violence, emotional abuse, or severe emotional distress in one or both parties are not appropriate attendees for this workshop.
Schedule and Cost
This 12-hour Weekend Intensive Workshop includes lectures, demonstrations, videos and private couples exercises, based on the internationally acclaimed relationship research of Dr. John Gottman. In addition to the training, participants receive the Seven Principles Workbook Kit.
Each Weekend Intensive Workshop is a two-day commitment, starting Friday 4pm to 7pm, and Saturday 8am to 5pm.
Light refreshments will be provided on Friday evening, and Saturday morning. Lunch will be provided Saturday afternoon.
These workshops will be held at our Medina location, Avenues of Counseling and Mediation, LLC. The address is 230 S Court Street, Medina 44256.
The total cost per couple is $550, which must be paid in full to secure a spot. We do not issue refunds in the event of a cancelation, but we are happy to assist you in rescheduling for a future workshop.