The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work Workshop
Hosted by The Counseling Hub
Columbia, MO
A Couples Workshop Designed to Strengthen Your Relationship (Not Just for Married Folks)
First of all, this isn’t just any couples workshop.
This workshop and the content was compiled from the four decades of couples research from Drs. John Gottman and Julie Schwartz-Gottman (and a host of other incredible people). The Gottmans are leading researchers and pioneers in the field of couples therapy, and their work is driven entirely by research and data regarding what makes marriage work and love last.
Secondly, this workshop is not a substitute for therapy and is not a therapy group.
This workshop is a psychoeducational workshop, where you and your partner will learn to:
deepen your knowledge of one another
build friendship and trust
recognize and respond to bids for emotional connection
be open to influence
understand and work with both solvable and difficult problems
get through gridlocked conflict
create a special “story of us”
maintain your relationship gains
It might sound too good to be true, but it isn’t. There are very simple and effective ways to achieve these things within your relationship, and our goal is to teach you those things so that you can strengthen your relationship for good.
You might be asking, “meh, I don’t know, is it really worth it?” That’s a great question! Here’s what we know.
We know that couples in distress take approximately 6 years to get into couples therapy. We know that the first three minutes of a conflict interaction can predict a divorce rate with over 90% accuracy. We know that a friendship system is the basis for longevity. And we know how to teach you about avoiding the pitfalls of unhappy relationships, as well as building out one you love.
There is a science to love, and our goal is to help you keep your love going strong by integrating the science-backed skills into your relationship.
Our goal is to help you strengthen your relationship because we know that it’s possible and, quite honestly, we like when people have meaningful, happy relationships. Not relationships free from strife, but the ability to weather the strife and come out the other side feeling more connected.
We love working with couples and teaching them our ways. It’s not magic, folks. It’s science. And we want to share this with you.
What types of couples is this workshop for?
Great question! This workshop is ideal for:
couples interested in getting married or long-term committing to one another
couples who have just had a baby
engaged couples, wanting to make sure they start out strong
couples looking to strengthen their relationship, but without any significant concerns
for couples who have noticed they’ve recently started drifting apart
Who is this workshop not for?
This is important. This workshop is not for every couple. We love all couples equally, but some couples need more support than what this workshop can provide (remember, it’s not a therapy workshop, it’s an educational one). Along those lines, here’s who is not a good fit for the workshop:
couples in severe emotional distress
couples where one or both partners have an active addiction
couples with physical, emotional, or mental abuse
couples recovering from an affair
couples where there is an active affair
couples who are fighting excessively
*We work with all of these types of couples at The Counseling Hub, but these issues are not appropriate for this workshop.
Alrighty, onto the details!
The Inaugural Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work Workshop Details
Dates and times:
Friday, May 10, 2024 - Saturday, May 11, 2024 and a one-hour follow-up Q&A on Zoom at 6 p.m. on June 3, 2024
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break each day
Coffee, light refreshments, and lunch will be provided on both workshop days.
Costs:
$500 per couple
Discounted rate of $450 per couple for Early Bird registration by April 26
Cancellation policy: You may receive a full refund if you cancel your spot by May 2. 25 hours to six days prior to the workshop, you may one time transfer your attendance to another workshop which must be used within 365-days. No refund will be issued if you cancel within 24 hours prior to the workshop.
Location:
Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Cinnamon Hills Lane, Columbia, MO 65201. Room details TBD. These will be shared with you as soon as possible.
Materials provided:
Your Objections (We Know You Got ‘Em!)
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This is a great point, and I’m happy to unpack it a little!
Don’t mind my numbers - they help keep me on track.
On an hourly basis, this breaks down to less than $45/hour for your attendance, which is less than half of the hourly rate for most therapists (if they’re charging $100/hour - many charge more than that)!
Physical health and relationship health are strongly related, meaning that the happier you are, the healthier you are. This also means that the unhappier you are, the more physical issues you are likely to have (heart issues, immune system, mortality, endocrine system, and more), and thus the more money you will spend on doctors, medication, and medical treatment.
*Not all physical issues are a result of relationship health, but the two are strongly related. However, it needs to be clear that relationship health isn’t the sole cause of physical health issues.
I think this comes down to how you want to invest your money within your relationship. This is meant to be a cost-effective way of enhancing the health of your relationship. Of course there is an upfront cost, but the goal is that you have long-term gains that end up costing less down the line.
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Then you’re in the right place! This isn’t a therapy group, it’s a “psychoeducational group,” which means that you spend time learning something and then applying it with your partner (but not necessarily with the group). The focus of this group is also on enhancing your relationship and not on working through major problems.
Long story short, you’re not going to be asked to share about your issues or relationship with the group.
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Good word, neither can we! There are a few things to note here.
There are multiple breaks, such that you will always be able to get up, move around, grab a refreshment, or go to the loo.
This is a psychoeducational workshop that is designed for you to participate!! Of course there is some lecture, but those take anywhere from 5-15 minutes at a time and then you get to practice the skills with your partner. This workshop is designed to help you ‘do the thing’ and not just for us to talk at you for 12 hours. That would be a special form of horrible!
You’re ready to go?! YYAAYYY!!! You won’t regret it. Here are your next steps!
Your next steps are very simple.
Apply for the workshop by clicking the button below. We want to make sure each couple is a fit for the workshop, hence the “inquire” instead of “sign up today!”
Schedule a brief phone screen with our Client Care Coordinator. You’ll be prompted to do this via email - super easy!
Secure your spot.
Attend the workshop!
Our Gottman Certified Workshop Leaders
Molly Lyons-Sword
Interim Director of Clinical Operations & Certified Gottman Therapist
Molly is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Missouri. She earned her Masters of Science in Clinical Counseling at Central Methodist University (CMU) and was a student intern at The Counseling Hub and Boone County Mental Health Coalition, where she assessed and provided mental health interventions and resources for individuals and groups in Boone County schools.
Molly has completed Level 3 training in the highly effective Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3) and has also been formally trained as in the Prepare-Enrich Premarital Couples Counseling approach. She enjoys working with diverse populations and seeks to always be open to new learning experiences.
“I enjoy working with couples because I did not see many healthy relationships growing up. I have learned so much about how to communicate and what real long-term relationships look like. I find that when couples come to a deep understanding and empathy for each other, there's a connection that nothing else can compare. Couples are also very interesting to learn about and although we all have our own relationship issues, we really are all the same... wanting to be loved, heard, seen, and know we are not alone in this world. Although the old saying “we are born into this world alone, we will all die alone” is true, we really need others in the in-between. So many couples have also healed relationships outside their marriage or romantic one from learning how to communicate and manage conflict better. Couples therapy isn't easy, but it's super rewarding.”
Kacie Naros
Clinical Therapist
Kacie earned her Master of Education in Counseling from Stephens College and is currently a provisional licensed professional counselor (PLPC) in the state of Missouri. Her training and experience support an integrative approach including person-centered and mindfulness techniques to meet the unique needs of her clients.
Her strengths include working with individuals who are experiencing symptoms of complex trauma, depression, anxiety or grief; and couples who want to work on improving communication and connection. She’s an advocate for individuals who have experienced sexual assault and domestic violence and she is an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community.
“I love working with couples to improve communication. It is so rewarding when I witness conflict becoming easier to talk about and when a couple can use these moments to deepen their connection. I’ve been told I’m a natural at “being where my feet are,” which basically means I’m very good at staying fully present during our interactions. My aim is to provide you with tools so you can find greater satisfaction in your daily life, feel empowered, embrace your strengths, and celebrate your successes.”
Dang it! I can’t make it! Is this my only chance to attend?
For this workshop, yes. But fear not, we have more scheduled in the future!! You can sign up here for updates about workshops we’ll be hosting or just stay in tune with this page! Although signing up may be easier so you don’t have to remember to come back to the page. Unless that’s just a me thing? Might be. #NoInterestInRemembering #SignMeUpForAllTheThings #TooMuchInMyMindAlready #RemindMePlease