Calling all Therapists and Counselors! This one if for you! You’ve worked hard this past year. We want to say “thank you” by offering this workshop at a reduced price. After all, you need a secure base and safe haven too.
Based on the highly researched method of couples therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy by Dr. Sue Johnson, and her successful book, Hold Me Tight®: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, the Hold Me Tight® Workshop is an 8-week workshop that helps couples take troubling patterns of conflict and transform them into emotionally accessible, responsive and engaging interactions. The workshop is based on attachment science, which has been shown to apply to all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, culture or race. We support every couple who desires to deepen their loving connection, especially since love, emotional safety and emotional connection are the antidote to pain.
This workshop is appropriate for couples of all stages of happiness or distress. We offer a non-judgmental, emotionally safe space for you and your partner to explore your relationship and the struggles that keep the two of you from either having a stronger relationship or having the relationship of your dreams.
Please watch the following video which talks about the powerful research regarding Adult Attachment Theory.
During the presentation, we use video clips to aid in the understanding of the lessons we intend to teach. Some video clips may include heterosexual white married couples. We want to be inclusive of all couples, so we are seeking out video clips more relatable to all couples. Because we are all living with universal needs, desires and longings, all couples can learn and grow together.
This workshop is contraindicated for couples experiencing active abuse, addictions and affairs. If you are experiencing any of these contraindications, please contact us to set up private therapy sessions at hello@jstherapygroup.com.
The Conversations:
Over the 2-day workshop, couples will engage in the following conversations:
Conversation One: Recognizing the Demon Dialogues ~ this conversation helps couples begin to see each other in a new way. Recognizing Demon Dialogues helps couple begin to identify the moves they make in an attempt to prevent disconnection. In the process, couples stop seeing each other as the enemy and instead, allies.
Conversation Two: Finding the Raw Spots ~ the next conversation helps couples to begin to identify the cue that activate attachment fears. In addition, this conversation helps the couple be able to reflect on how these attachment fears developed in past relationships and past experiences.
Conversation Three: Revisiting a Rocky Moment ~ this conversation helps couples integrate the first two conversations and allows the couple to reestablish safety. The couple also has the opportunity to begin to repair rifts from past interactions that will help couples feel connected and together instead disconnected and alone.
Conversation Four: Forgiving Injuries and Trusting Again ~ couples engaging in this conversation will learn how to work toward repair for situations where partners were emotionally wounded. Each partner gets the opportunity to formulate the kind of conversation or apology they would have liked to have had when they were wounded by a loved one.
Conversation Five: Hold Me Tight® ~ this conversation is the most connecting conversation in the workshop. Each partner has the opportunity to experience emotional accessibility, responsiveness and engagement from their partner. This conversation continues to build emotional safety within the relationship.
Conversation Six: Bonding Through Sex and Touch ~ you and your partner will get the opportunity to talk about sex in a way you may never have been able to before. With the safety that was created through earlier conversations, you and your partner will be able to further create the emotional connection leads to great sex.
Conversation Seven: Keeping Your Love Alive ~ in this final conversation, you and your partner will create a plan to continue to keep love alive as you continue your life together.
The Format:
The format for the Hold Me Tight® workshop is comprised of the following:
Presentation: each conversation begins with presentation of important ideas and concepts pertaining to each conversation. Presentations consist of lecture and engaging videos to help you understand the material.
Private Partner Conversation: after the presentation, you and your partner will have a private room to talk through each conversation. During private partner conversations, helpers will periodically check in to assist in directing the conversation and to answer questions you have about the conversations.
Group Processing: after private partner conversation, we will return to the large group to talk about what it was like to be able to have space to talk about each conversation. Group processing is pass or play; meaning you can share what it was like for you or you can listen. Sharing is not required. The benefit to the group processing time is that you will find that you are not alone. You will find that there are other couples who share similar experiences as you.
Schedule:
Saturday, October 2nd, 2021: 9am to 5pm
Sunday, October 3rd, 2021: 9am to 3pm
The Location:
The workshop will be held at our Overland Park location: 7133 W 95th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66212
The Investment
An investment of $299 (regular investment is $499) per couple includes:
Presentation of workshop materials
Instruction of each conversation
Printed workbook for each participant
Assistance during private conversations
The Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations received up to 30 days prior to the event will receive a full refund minus a $75 administrative fee. Cancellations received 29-21 days prior will receive a 50% refund minus a $75 administrative fee. Cancellations received 20 days or less prior are ineligible for refunds. You may transfer your registration to a future workshop within 12 months.
COVID-19 Considerations:
This event is scheduled to be an in person event. For participants who have not been vaccinated, we recommend wearing a mask. We will also be practicing social distancing.
In the event that we are not able to meet in person, we will transition the workshop to an online workshop. A couple of factors play into whether the workshop stays as and in-person workshop or transitions to an online workshop: if the facilitator becomes ill with COVID-19 and if Johnson County places a restriction on gathering in groups. The decision will be make one week prior to the start of the workshop.
We apologize that refunds are unable to be honored if the workshop needs to be transitioned to an online workshop one week prior to the start of the workshop.
The Facilitator:
Jessica Schroeder is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice located in Leavenworth, Kansas. Jessica graduated from Friends University in 2010 where the emphasis of her masters program was relational interactions.
Since graduating, Jessica has continued to receive specialized training in Couple Therapy. Jessica was awarded certification in Emotionally Focused Therapy in 2017 and is currently a Supervisor-in-Training where she supervises other therapists learning Emotionally Focused Therapy. Jessica continues to mentor and teach therapists learning Emotionally Focused Therapy as a helper at the core trainings for Emotionally Focused Therapy and also runs an online mentoring group called The EFT Encouragement Group.
Jessica has facilitated several Hold Me Tight® Workshops since 2015. For more information about Jessica and her private practice, visit jstherapygroup.com.
Testimonials for the Program:
“At last, a road map through Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy with its creator. Dr. Johnson’s superb science, humor, and clinical wisdom are finally accessible to all of us. I couldn’t pick a smarter, warmer, and more real guide for this journey.” — John Gottman, PhD, bestselling author of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
“A truly revolutionary, breakthrough book…the most important, valuable book for couples published in the twenty-first century.” — Barry McCarthy, PhD, author of Getting It Right the First Time
“Dr. Sue Johnson is the most original contributor to couples therapy to come along in the last thirty years. This book will touch your heart, stimulate your mind, and give you practical strategies for improving your marriage. It will be an instant classic.” — William J. Doherty, PhD, author of Take Back Your Marriage
“A much-needed message to all couples and therapists, and I recommend it to all.” — Harville Hendrix, PhD, author of Getting the Love You Want and Receiving Love
Hold Me Tight® was developed by Dr. Sue Johnson and is a registered trademark to Dr. Sue Johnson.