Upcoming VIRTUAL Workshops:
Saturday June 3, 2023
9am-4pm Eastern
$250 per couple / $225 Early Bird
Materials Sold Separately (see below)
Early Bird discount ends 30 days before event.
Add a Limited Assessment ($500-750) to get a complete picture of your relationship and receive tailored advice, tools, and resources prior to your workshop.
Email [email protected] for more information.
Presented by:
Dr. Adam R Smithey, LMFT
Certified Gottman Therapist
Presented by the area's only Certified Gottman Therapist, this one-day
couple's workshop is based on the internationally acclaimed research of Dr.
John Gottman as presented in his New York Times Bestselling book:
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES PROGRAM FOR COUPLES
Do you have difficulty communicating and understanding each other? Are you stuck, arguing in circles about the same issues? Or are you in a good relationship and would like to make it even better?
THEN, THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU!
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS CLASS:
The Seven Principles Program will give you new insights and research-based relationship skills that can dramatically improve the intimacy and friendship in your relationship and help you resolve conflict in a healthy, productive way.
This class combines teaching and demonstrations with one-on-one work sessions where you and your partner focus on your relationship with each other. Confidentiality is strictly maintained. Although we encourage questions and comments, you do not need to speak in the workshop if you do not want.
YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO:
- Foster respect, affection and closeness
- Build and share a deeper connection with each other's inner world
- Keep conflict discussions calm
- Break through and resolve conflict gridlock
- Strengthen and maintain the gains in your relationship
IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR US?
The Gottman Seven Principles Program is designed for all couples in a committed relationship, including:
- Married couples
- Pre-engaged couples (those considering marriage)
- Engaged or Premarital couples (those taking steps towards marriage)
- Every phase of relationships, from newlyweds to senior couples
- Those who wish to enhance an already “good” marriage or relationship
- Those needing better conflict management tools
- Those considering couples therapy but who are not "ready" for weekly therapy yet
- People of all backgrounds, ages, faiths and sexual orientations
If you are dealing with emotional abuse, domestic violence, unwanted touch, or substance abuse, this class is not appropriate, and you should instead seek individual or couples therapy.
PURCHASED SEPARATELY:
You will need one of the following to complete your workshop experience:
|
|
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| $25/book | $50/pair | $75/set |
| The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work (includes one book) Gives you everything you need to work through the program together. | The Seven Principles Couples Workbook (includes two workbooks) Allows you to privately record answers and journal thoughtfully about the concepts in the book as they apply to your relationship. It takes you step-by-step through the interactive exercises in each chapter of The Seven Principles Book. | The Seven Principles Box Set (includes one book, two workbooks, plus the Love Maps and Open Ended Questions Card Decks) Allows you to fully experience the Seven Principles together during and long after the workshop. |
About the Presenter
The Seven Principles Program can be presented by any lay person (non-therapist) after they receive the appropriate one-day training. With this workshop, a Certified Gottman Therapist leads this extraordinary 1-day workshop. Why a Certified Gottman Therapist? Register for this workshop to gain insights and supports that you cannot find in any other workshops in the area. Learn more about Dr. Adam Smithey.
More information
Discounts & Savings
First Responders, Military/Veterans, K-12 Educators, and Counseling Students/Interns - as a "thank you" for all you do, are eligible to save 10%. Please email [email protected] for a special discount code.
Scholarships are occasionally available on an as-needed basis and at varying rates. If you are wishing to attend and are in need of financial assistance, please email [email protected] to inquire about attending at a discounted rate. Only a limited number of scholarships are available for each event and there is no guarantee that a scholarship will be available when you request.
Event Policies
Transfer/Cancellation Policy:
If cancellation is made on or before the Early Bird Registration deadline, a full refund minus a $75 processing fee will be given. If your cancellation occurs after the Early Bird Registration deadline, your registration will be converted to a credit, good for a full year, that can be applied to future workshops.
Additional Workshop Information
We would like to advise that our couples workshop is presented as a seminar. It is meant to be psycho-educational and is not meant to be couples therapy. We do offer virtual and in-person couples therapy, consultations, and additional resources at Smithey Counseling Services. While we believe that the content of this workshop is based on sound research and principles, there is no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied about the benefit of this workshop for your specific concerns.
Assessment First?
While not required, some workshop couples desire to complete a Limited Assessment prior to attending a workshop. Here you will complete an extensive online questionnaire and schedule one 60-min session where we will review information and gain some insight and prescribed focus on what portion(s) of the workshop might provide the greatest benefit. You will also receive tailored suggestions and resources. Email [email protected] for more information.
Private Workshop Options:
For our high profile couples, or couples that simply prefer more privacy, we recommend you inquire about a private 1:1, or small-group presentation (with your friends or family). The Seven Principles Program presentation is tailored to you and your relationship and you receive expert support from Dr. Adam throughout the experience. Flexible weekdays, evenings, weekends to meet your scheduling needs. Can be tailored to fit fit your schedule from 2-12 hours of time. Presented live virtually or in-your-home. Email [email protected] for custom package pricing.
Questions:
Please review the FAQ section below. For any additional questions, please email [email protected] Please only send workshop-related questions. We are unable to respond to therapeutic questions via email.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this workshop different from The Art & Science of Love Weekend Workshop?
The Seven Principles Program is a 1-day workshop that focuses solely on the seven principles found through Dr. Gottman's research to enhance a relationship. This workshop expands upon the invaluable information found within his book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.
The Art & Science of Love Weekend Workshop is a 2-day workshop that includes a greater depth of coverage on the seven principles, while also going into a wider array of Dr. Gottman's research and exercises as they apply to your relationship. The Art & Science of Love also offers a greater chance for a Certified Gottman Therapist to assist you personally when stuck during exercises.
Self-disclosure is not required in either workshop.
I've registered and submitted payment for the workshop. What now?
Once you have completed registration and provided an email address and phone number upon checkout, you will be contacted by our staff to complete the Registration Process. Typically you will be contacted via email a few days of registration. Within that email, you will be directed to fill out a final registration information form. Your registration is not complete until this form is returned via email to [email protected]
What is your Refund Policy?
LIMITED SEATS! Events will sell out! Cancellation Policy: If cancellation is made on or before the Early Registration Cut-off Date, a full refund less $75 processing fee will be given. After the cut-off date, your registration will be converted to a credit to a future workshop within the next 12 months.
Who attends the couples workshops?
Couples of all ages, incomes, races, nationalities, professions, religions, abilities, and orientations attend our workshops. Couples attend who already have a strong, healthy relationship, and couples attend to repair relationship damage and get back on track. Parents sometimes attend who have decided to end their relationship but want to do so in a way that doesn’t negatively impact their children, and receive skills to become healthy co-parents moving forward. We welcome all couples who want to work on making their relationship stronger.
Can we attend the workshop even if we aren't married?
Yes. All couples are welcome. This may in fact be the best time to work on and build upon your relationship!
Is this workshop appropriate for premarital couples?
Yes. We strongly encourage attending our workshop as premarital preparation.
Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes. We have standard discounts for couples involved with the military, education system, mental health field, or student/interns. We also offer scholarships upon request. Email [email protected] for more information.
Can I give the couples workshop as a gift to someone else?
Yes. Gift certificates are available upon request.
Can I come to the workshop alone if I can’t convince my partner to attend?
Depends. The registration fee is for a couple. There are opportunities to actively engage with your partner during the workshop. However, if your partner decides not come, or if you wish to sign up on your own, you are welcome to attend. The registration fee is the same if you attend with your partner or by yourself.
How can I convince my partner to attend a workshop or go to counseling?
Each couple is different and we are unable to provide specific advice about how to convince your partner to attend a workshop or seek counseling. However, many individuals have found that a good place to start is by sharing some of the research and videos on the Gottman website with their partners. Dr. Gottman’s bestselling book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work is also a great way to become acquainted with the research and the Gottman Method.
I’d love to come to your workshop, but my partner is a private person and is not comfortable sharing in a group setting.
No problem. Couples sit as an audience during the lectures, and only engage quietly together. There is no group work, and no mandatory sharing.
How many couples attend the workshop?
The venue, location, weather, time of year and several other factors affect the size of each workshop. The large group workshops (offered periodically) can see anywhere from 10-50+ couples attend.
Are we appropriate for your workshop if we don’t have any really huge problems?
Yes. Couples who attend our workshop tend to fall into two categories: enhancement and repair. We applaud couples who are wise enough to attend the workshop for enhancement purposes. Our brains are more open to new learning when we are not stressed out, and our workshop is designed with plenty of humor and romance, so enhancement couples have a terrific time while learning. Feedback from both enhancement and repair couples indicates that the couples workshop is very beneficial.
Should I do anything to prepare?
There are no prerequisites to attending a couples workshop. The workshop is self-contained and is appropriate even if you’ve never heard of Dr. John Gottman and his work.
Should we read The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work before attending?
The workshop is self-contained; no pre-reading is required. Some couples report that reading The Seven Principles enhanced their workshop experience by providing a foundation in the research concepts and applications.
I'm nervous in large groups (even without sharing). Do you provide other formats?
From time to time and upon request I offer different formats:
- 60-90 minute Seven Principles Overview - Perfect for presentation, office or school lunch gatherings, discussion groups, professional organizations, etc.
- Weeknight Classes - The same information as the 1-day workshop, only presented in a series of shorter weeknight classes.
- Semi-Private Workshop (10 couples or less) - Same great information, presented in smaller, more intimate groups in a private setting (hotel or similar accommodations).
- Semi-Private Retreat (5 couples or less) - Presented at Dr. Adam's private and secluded residence, this 1-day workshop is more intimate and offers a greater opportunity to connect personally with Dr. Adam.
- Private Retreat (only one couple) - Upon special requests, Dr. Adam offers 1-day private retreats where you are presented the same great information, just in a 1:1 format. This can be done in your home or at Dr. Adam's private residence.
- Contact Dr. Adam for more information and pricing for these special formats.