The Hold Me Tight® retreat teaches seven different conversations designed to help couples learn how to move away from negative patterns of conflict, to increase their emotional responsiveness to one another, to forgive old wounds, and to rekindle their desire and affection. The program uses Susan Johnson's book Hold Me Tight®, videos of Sue working with couples, and interactive experiences that help a couple begin to recognize the defining moments of their relationship and build new connections. All experiential, interactive work is done privately between the partners, followed by group discussion. No one is required to share any personal experiences with the group.

The seven conversations through which you will be guided are designed to increase the experience of emotional responsiveness, that sense of safety and closeness that answers three key needs:

1. Accessibility:    Can I reach you?  Do you hear what I need?

2. Responsiveness:    Can I rely on you to respond to me emotionally?

3. Engagement:    Do I know that you will value me and stay close?

These key questions are buried, hidden just under the surface in most of our recurring arguments about issues such as chores, personality differences, sex, kids, and money. If partners feel safe and loved, they can deal with differences and problems together.  If not, then relationship issues and fears get channeled into endless disagreements around practical issues of every day life.

The Hold Me Tight® Retreat:

• Lets you learn as a group but practice privately as couples.  Licensed therapists guide you as you build these key relational bonds.

• Gives you three days of steady learning and practice to get you headed in the right direction.

• Builds on the Hold Me Tight® book, which you will receive and will use as a reference afterward, as you practice and reinforce what you’ve learned.

• Connects you with a licensed therapist assigned to each couple and will be available for follow up session (if desired)

How to Know If the Retreat is Right for Your Relationship

This program is designed to assist you in understanding your relationship and enhancing the quality of your connection.

It is an excellent options for those who:

• Are in a committed relationship but want to strengthen it and establish a more solid foundation.

• Are in a committed relationship but feel that the bonds have faded over time

• Are in a committed relationship but have been feeling detached or that the level of  

    conflict has increased

• Want to improve their understanding of negative patterns that decrease their connection

• Have minor relationship traumas/injuries that want to be repaired.

Participants will walk away with:

• A deeper connection to their partner

• A deeper understanding of attachment history and the impact of attachment on current relationship

• Ability to recognize negative patterns that lead to disconnection

• Skills to stop negative patterns and skills to communicate more effectively

• Identification of preventative patterns to remain connected during stressors

• Ability to repair with your partner when there is trigger or disconnection

• Increased intimacy (physical, mental, and emotional)

This retreat is facilitated by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists that have advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy. Each couple will be assigned a licensed therapist to work with through out the entire weekend.