PHOTO COURTESY OF TASHA BOIN PHOTOGRAPHY
By Dara Harrel, LPC and Kelsey Fox, LMFT
Picture a couple, alone in their cabin. The night air is frigid. And although the aurora is not out, the stars shimmer brilliantly, glistening on the snow as a wolf howls in the distant forest. They have just wrapped up dinner and done the dishes. While one cleans the kitchen, the other is doing the nighttime wind down. When the thought crosses a mind, of an innocent remark that was made days prior. They both look to the other not knowing what to say, how to connect, and unsure of how to start that conversation. They remain ships passing in the night. The last time they tried to converse it turned resentful and argumentative.
Often couples are reluctant to approach conflict or even admit that there is a problem. Finally, it becomes an emergency and often seeking help is a last resort. Many couples do not have the tools and have not been given tools to be able to communicate and to resolve conflict. We are offering a couple’s workshop from Gottman’s principles to provide you with these tools, and to help you to better communicate with your significant other.
The past few years we have worked with couples who want to better communicate with their significant other. We have seen an increased need and want to help couples thrive more than just survive. We both use and believe Drs. John and Julie Gottman’s methods and principles in working with couples, which is backed by many years of evidence-based research. It has even been helpful in our own relationships! For over 30 years Dr. John Gottman scientifically analyzed the habits of married couples and established a method of correcting behaviors that put thousands of marriages on the rocks. He helps couples focus on each other and the small day-to-day moments, when strung together make up the heart and soul of any relationship.
Whether you have been together for one month, are talking about marriage or you have been married for 50 years, couples can feel disconnected, lose connection with each other, or get stuck in a negative cycle. We want to encourage couples to start “dating” each other again, create shared meaning, be able to express fondness and admiration, learn positive communication skills, understand different types of conflict and the antidotes to work through them. We want to help couples learn about solvable and gridlock problems and how a partner can respond so their partner feels heard and seen.
What is wonderful about the Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work workshop is that it is psychoeducational. Meaning this is not considered couples therapy, but there are similar skills which allow for a foundation for better understanding and communication.
This psychoeducation workshop is via Zoom, so you will not be expected to share about personal issues publicly and all couple exercises are done privately.
Who should attend:
Married couples from newlyweds to couples who have been together for decades
Pre-martial couples
Contemplating engagement
Those who wish to enhance their marriage
Those who are needing better conflict management tools
Who should NOT attend: This class is not for couples with…
Severe relationship distress
Significant emotional or physical abuse
Serious emotional mental health problems
Actively struggling with addictions
Don’t forget, good relationships don’t just build themselves if we leave them alone, they create more problems. What they really need are daily intentional effort, healthy conflict, and communication skills too.
We would love for you to join us, to register for our Workshop The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work held on Friday November 4, 2022, held via zoom from 10 am to 2pm for $325 per couple. You can register through Eventbrite:
CLICK HERE FOR THE EVENTBRITE PAGE
Unable to make this one? The next event will be January 20, 2023. Please reach out with any questions you have through the following:
Dara Harrel - Dharrel@seasonsoflifecounselingllc.com
Kelsey Fox - Kelsey.Fox@BraveCounselingAk.com
