Description

Would you like to stay calmer in conversations with your partner, resolve misunderstandings more easily, and have alternatives to arguing or shutting down? Would you like to prevent or shift recurring conflict patterns around shared responsibilities, finances, communication styles, or expectations so you feel more connected and at ease? Would you like a way to communicate clearly and kindly — without threats, defences, or tactics — in any situation that arises in your marriage?

Over an 8-week period, Keeping your Intimate Partnership Alive introduces you to how to communicate with compassionate clarity, offering you a way to:

• Notice and reword disconnecting language that can quickly escalate tension
• Create breakthroughs by focusing on your intention to connect rather than to be right
• Express what you need in a way that opens options instead of opposition
• Understand feelings with more clarity while avoiding “feeling-like” words that can trigger defensiveness
• Separate what you heard and saw from what you think it means, so you can stay calm and your partner is more likely to stay engaged
• Self-empathize when you feel overwhelmed, helping you speak honesty without reactivity
• Listen with empathy to your partner, fostering mutual understanding and closeness
• Make specific, doable requests that bring your shared vision for your marriage to life

This series, designed for newly married couples, engaged couples, and partners wanting to strengthen the foundation of their relationships, uses a variety of learning tools such as demos, roleplays, the facilitator’s Road to Connection scenarios, personal reflection, dyad exercises, and more. During the sessions you will have the opportunity to practice using life examples. It will include an opportunity to reframe messages that marriage reseacher Dr. John Gottmann identifies as breaking down relationships: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling.

Included: Partnership worksheets. Postcard-sized feelings and needs list. You may receive other tools based on the needs of the group, such as an anger tool and mini promt cards.

Note: If your relationship is significantly strained, the series can give you some tools for rebuilding your connection and it will likely take significant commitment, practice, and, most likely, support to rebuild the relationship. If there is no history of physical violence in your partnership, you are welcome to join.

Facilitator: Elke Haggerty, LL.M., MBA
CNVC Certified Trainer & CALF Certified NVC Trainer