Now you can learn about the science of love and explore ways of strengthening your sense of connection and intimacy with your partner through this educational and experiential program. The Hold Me Tight Relationship Enhancement Program is based on the book Hold Me Tight, by Sue Johnson, the founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). For more information about the book Hold Me Tight, visit: http://www.holdmetight.net
Why Attend?
1.
You will spend the entire weekend focused on understanding, repairing, and strengthening your most important relationship.
2. You will understand how the “science of love” works -- yes, there is an actual “science” to love, and it is called attachment theory. Understanding how we bond with and stay securely attached to our most important loved ones helps you understand how to love with more fullness, aliveness, presence, and deeper connection.
3.You will do meaningful exercises together as a couple in private, after watching video clips of real couples like yourselves doing the same exercises, as well as experience the benefit of being part of a safe and supportive group environment of other couples whose shared goal is to strengthen and heal their relationship.
4.You will be guided by two or more experienced couples therapist, trained and practiced in Emotionally Focused Therapy, a research-validated approach to helping couples heal distressed relationships*, and the basis for the Hold Me Tight program.
5.The weekend educational workshop consists of approximately 15 hours of focused time to heal and strengthen your relationship. This breaks out to about $28 per hour per person, which is substantially less than the current rate of couple’s therapy.
6.You receive a complete notebook of all Hold Me Tight exercises as take-home materials to keep that allow you to return to any part of the workshop at any time in private and redo, rediscover, and deepen the work you did in the workshop.
7.The investment you make in your relationship will come back to you ten-fold in greater feelings of trust, safety, intimacy, erotic connection, and fun!
Program Overview
In this program, you will learn about the new science of love and explore the negative cycles in your own relationship. You will participate in guided discussions with the facilitators and other participants, and watch demonstration videos to witness other couples learning to step out of the negative cycles and create a stronger, more loving relationship. You will practice, through in-class and take-home exercises, seven key conversations to move you through the negative cycles that keep you stuck. With practice, you and your partner can become more accessible, emotionally responsive and engaged with one another.
Individuals joining the program will be able to fully participate in all aspects of the program. You will do the practice exercises through written reflection on current, past, or desired relationships, and engage with the facilitators and other participants about the learning in the exercises.
Seven Transforming Conversations:
Recognizing Demon Dialogues—In this first conversation, couples identify negative and destructive remarks in order to get to the root of the problem and figure out what each of you is really trying to say.
Finding the Raw Spots—Here, each partner learns to look beyond immediate, impulsive reactions to figure out what emotional raw spots are being hit.
Revisiting a Rocky Moment—This conversation provides a platform for de-escalating conflict and repairing rifts in a relationship and building emotional safety.
Hold Me Tight—The heart of the program: this conversation moves partners into being more accessible, emotionally responsive, and deeply engaged with each other.
Forgiving Injuries—Injuries may be forgiven but they never disappear. Instead, they need to become integrated into couples’ conversations as demonstrations of renewal and connection. Knowing how to find and offer forgiveness empowers couples to strengthen their bond.
Bonding Through Sex and Touch—Here, couples find how emotional connection creates great sex, and good sex creates deeper emotional connection.
Keeping Your Love Alive—This last conversation is built on the understanding that love is a continual process of losing and finding emotional connection; it asks couples to be deliberate and mindful about maintaining connection.
Dates and Times
The workshops sessions will be conducted in various formats throughout the year, including weekend retreats, six and eight sessions. Please check the calendar for dates, times and format offerings.
Program Cost and Payment
The total cost for the program, including all handouts and supplementary materials, is $350* per person. See below for available discounted fees. Individuals and couples are invited to participate.
*There are several kinds of discounts available:
a) The cost for the July 2013 program is $325 per person if the total is paid in full and received by the Early Bird Date (no exceptions, please). The Early Bird Date for the July 2013 workshop is June 27, 2013.
b) Inquire about our student rate discount (limited availability).
We accept cash, check and credit card (Visa, MC, Debit and Discover). Payment can be made in 2 installments, but payment in full must be received prior to the start date of the program to guarantee your place in the program.
If paying by check, please make check payable to Dr. Silvina Irwin and mail to:
95 North Marengo Ave. Ste 200
Pasadena, CA 91101
If paying by Credit Card, please download the Credit Card Authorization Form and fill out and mail back to the address above or FAX to 626.316.6650, or process by phone by calling Silvina Irwin at 626.399.4013.
Location and Parking
All workshop sessions will be held at the psychotherapy offices of Dr. Irwin and Dr. Blum, at 95 N. Marengo Avenue Pasadena, CA 91101. Signs will be posted to direct you to our meeting room.
There is metered parking available on side streets (please read signs carefully), and a city parking structure is available ½ block away at the corner of Holly Street and Arroyo Parkway.
Travel and Hotel Accommodations
For those of you that are traveling, local airports include Bob Hope Airport (this is the most conveniently located airport), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Long Beach Airport. Please be sure to account for some delays due to LA traffic in your travel time. Click here for a listing of nearby hotels to consider for your accommodations.
Program Requirements
All participants are asked to:
- Purchase a copy of Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, by Dr. Sue Johnson. It recommended that you read the book in it's entirety prior to the start of the workshop for the weekend format. For the 7 or 8 week session format, it is recommended that you have read at minimum the first 4 chapters of the book and other chapters will be assigned as "homework" throughout the workshop.
Missed Sessions
If you are attending the 7 session program and have to miss a session, kindly let us know in advance if possible. We are happy to email you the materials for that session and ask that you “make up” the missed content at home by reading the materials and completing the in-class and homework practice exercises. Since each session of the Hold Me Tight program builds on the next, we would like to keep you “up to speed” if you have to miss a week.
Cancellation/Refund Policy
If you must cancel your enrollment prior to the start of the program for any reason, we will refund you the full cost of tuition, minus a $25 administrative fee. There are no refunds for cancellations beyond the start date of the program, because we cannot give your spot to another participant that time.
Note: This program is educational and is designed for relationship enhancement. If you are experiencing intense relationship distress, it is better to find a couple’s therapist in your community. Drs. Irwin and Blum can assist you with referrals if you wish. If you are uncertain about whether to join the program or seek therapy, feel free to speak with us firs
