Hold Me Tight: Strengthening the Bonds of Love
Sue Johnson, EdD
This institute offers participants the wisdom gained from the new
scientific understanding of love and from 25 years of research and
clinical practice in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT). Johnson
will begin with the presentation of a clear picture of romantic love as the
natural arena for personal health, resilience and growth. She will then outline and guide
participants through four relationship-enhancing conversations: Recognizing
Demon Dialogues; Finding Your Raw Spots; The Hold Me Tight Conversation; and
Forgiving Injuries. The institute will conclude with a summary of the attachment
perspective on love and loving and offer a number of ways to help couples
keep love strong.
Participants will be able to:
Understand the exquisite logic of love. Mystery solved!
Map out the key responses and cycles that sabotage a felt sense of connection in relationship.
Identify the basic needs and fears – the music of the relationship dance.
Shape conversations to foster a secure lasting bond between partners.
The institute will include guided practice to help participants learn how to use
this perspective and conversations in their own relationships or use them
to guide couples into these conversations.
Participants will receive the following Handouts:
1. The importance of a loving relationship
2. What we know about the nature of love and bonding
3. What is effective dependency
4. Conversation 1 - Recognizing the Demon Dialogue (Steps, example, exercises)
5. Conversation 2 - Finding Your Raw Spots
6. Conversation 3 - The Hold me Tight Conversation – Reaching and Engaging
7. Conversation 4 – The Forgiving Injuries Conversation
8. Attachment Rituals – to keep your love blooming.
9. A certificate of attendance from the EFT Center
Who should attend:
Marriage and Couples Eduators, mentor couples, therapists, counselors, clergy, and the public.
Suggested reading:
The workshop and model are based on the book, Hold Me Tight, LittleBrown, April 2008 (click to order).
Johnson, S. M. (2004) The practice of emotionally focused couples therapy: Creating connection. NY Brunner/Routledge.
Johnson, S. M, & Whiffen, V. (2003) Attachment processes in couple and family therapy. NY. Guilford Press.
Information on EFT resources and training tapes and an outline of the EFT externship curriculum and registration
procedures are available at: http://www.eft.ca
This institute is part of the week-long Smart Marriages conference.
Register for the Institute and the Conference: Click for Information on Conference Details, to download a conference brochure, REGISTER ONLINE, hotel & travel information & discounts, etc.
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