Should We Attend a Workshop for Couples?

Frequently, people ask me why they should attend a workshop designed for couples. This question commonly comes from those trying to choose between a workshop and weekly couples counseling. Although there are many similar benefits from each modality, there are also some significant differences.

Let me start by saying that most of us understand the benefit of regular, weekly sessions in the privacy of the therapist’s office. The work happens over several weeks or months, it’s individualized, and slowly produces deep change and growth. Typically, weekly sessions are also a fairly big investment in time, energy and finances.

Couples can also come away with similar benefits from workshops. Much of the same growth and improvement that occur in private sessions can also be experienced in a group setting.  No one is ever under any pressure in a workshop to share private information and everything is kept strictly confidential in the group. My own experience is that couples feel very safe and comfortable. The energy of the group dynamic encourages everyone to participate and support one another.

One of the main advantages of a couples’ workshop is the affordability. One or two day workshops give you a lot of learning and exploration for a fraction of the cost of therapy. The tools acquired are immediate and ready to be put to use at once. Change, therefore, can be quick! For some couples, a workshop is the perfect jump start they’ve needed to turn things around.

In a typical couples’ workshop, I balance the material in ways that keep it fun and fast-paced. Most people are eager to learn from the research about what makes marriages succeed or fail. There is some amount of presentation complete with slides and videos to enhance learning.

Demonstrations of effective communication tools are an important part of the day. These are followed by ample opportunity for each couple to practice new skills with one another. I also coach you to design a Relationship Vision so that you and your partner know what you’re trying to achieve by being together.  We explore your communication styles and learn about the stages of romantic relationships through discussion and exercises.

Couples who’ve attended my workshops say that they’ve had fun, learned new tools and grown closer to their partners. Workshops are not therapy, per se, but they can be very therapeutic!

For those experiencing deeply held trauma or conflict, a workshop might be just the right beginning to their therapy journey. It might also be the perfect ending to a course of therapy or an adjunct to ongoing work.Who, then, should attend a couples’ workshop? I believe that all couples, at any stage of their relationship, would benefit, including:

• Couples in the early stages of a relationship who are looking to deepen their commitment. The Start Right, Stay Connected Workshop is specifically offered for engaged or newly married couples.
• Couples who feel bored or “stagnant” in the relationship and want to hit the “refresh” button.
• Couples stuck in an unending cycle of bickering or arguing who need better communication tools.
• Couples who are trying to decide whether to stay in the relationship.
• Couples moving toward divorce or who are already separated and want to know if it is worth putting any energy into saving the relationship.
• Couples who have a good relationship, but want it to be great by deepening the connection.
• Couples who want their marriage to be a good role model of love for their children.
• Mental Health Professionals who want to experience first hand with their partners the power of couples’ work.

Please let me know if you need further information to determine if a workshop is right for you. I also offer private workshops, called Intensives or Break-through Sessions, if groups are just not your thing!