Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

OVERVIEW

Participants in this workshop will learn, and have the opportunity to practice, in a private and safe setting, the skills that have been developed from the Seven Principles ground breaking research findings of award-winning therapist Dr. John Gottman.

You will learn skills in the three key relationship areas of: (1) conflict management, (2) strengthening a couples friendship and (3) creating a couples sense of shared purpose and meaning.

COUPLES WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• Pre-engaged, engaged, or contemplating marriage or moving in together
• Everyone from newlyweds to seniors
• Those who wish to enhance a good marriage
• Those who wish to gain conflict management skills
• Those who want to deepen your connection and prevent drifting apart
• Those who are feeling more distant lately
• Those struggling to resolve recurring arguments
• If you are motivated to enrich your relationship but not sure where to start

COUPLES THAT THIS WORKSHOP IS NOT SUITED FOR:

• Those with severe relationship distress
• Those with significant emotional or physical abuse
• Those with addictions to drugs, alcohol or gambling
• Those with serious mental health problems

If you are unsure if you should attend, or to ask specific questions, just get in touch here. Please Note: This workshop is focused on providing information & teaching relationship enhancing skills to couples. It should not be considered a substitute for therapy. Participants will not be required to disclose information to the group.

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN AS A COUPLE:

• A deeper knowledge of your partner and how to create a shared meaning together
• An understanding of the factors that can contribute to divorce and a roadmap to managing conflict constructively
• Skills to handle perpetual and solvable problems and strategies to bring lasting positive change to your relationship
• Improved friendship, fondness and admiration as well as enhanced romance and intimacy

PRESENTED BY PSYCHOLOGIST AND SEVEN PRINCIPLES FOR MAKING MARRIAGE WORK GOTTMAN LEADER, KRISTINA CHALLANDS, THIS WORKSHOP INCLUDES:

• 6 hours of presentations, psycho-educational skills training and presenter roleplays demonstrating the use of Gottman Skills

• Opportunity to practice skills with your partner in a safe and private environment

• 2 Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work Workbooks packed with exercises for deepening connection and conflict management skills

• Fully catered morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea

• Free parking available

Price per couple: $390

Upcoming Workshop Dates: 7 March 2020, 25 July 2020, 14 Novmber 2020

Kristina, a mother of five adult children including three stepchildren, has been married to her second husband for eleven years. Following a career in business and time spent raising a family, Kristina returned to study to fulfil a long held interest in the practice of psychology setting up her own practice to provide evidence-based psychological services for individuals and couples.

Working with couples as they experience the joys of deepening their connection through therapy, has inspired Kristina to train in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, to become a qualified Seven Principle for Making Marriage Work Leader, and a Bringing Baby Home Educator. Kristina feels privileged to  witness couples as they journey from ‘disasters’ to ‘masters’ of relationships. As humans our greatest joy is in our connections.

“Raising children, going through a divorce, starting a new commitment and bringing a new family together later in life, all of these things have taught me that life isn’t simple… we all need to talk in challenging times.”

“My clients inspire me. It’s a privilege to work with people who are coping with difficult circumstances, building new skills and making changes in their lives.”

Kristina Challands

“Initially I was reluctant to attend, but my wife convinced me that we should. I am so glad we did – the day was an absolute revelation & I learned so much! Thank you.”

“We have gained some tools to help us communicate better and deepen our already great friendship/relationship”

“The course gave us new ways of looking at our problems.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop held on 16 March. It was very interesting and informative and my partner and I gained lots of knowledge. The structure was easy to learn and I liked that we didn’t have to share any personal information with Kristina. She made us feel really comfortable. This workshop with Kristina changed us and I know my partner and I will continue to get closer and closer.”

Janet (Brisbane)

WILL WE HAVE TO SHARE OUR PERSONAL PROBLEMS AND ISSUES WITH THE CLASS?

No. The class does not include sharing problems and issues publicly. Couple’s exercises are done privately.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE GOTTMAN METHOD

This psycho-educational workshop, developed by the Gottman Institute, is based on the four decades of acclaimed research by Dr. John Gottman and Nan Silver, which was published in their New York Times Bestseller The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. If you haven’t yet heard of him, Dr. John Gottman, is a world-renowned researcher and therapist in relationship stability.

Having been awarded many accolades for his research, including being recognised as “one of the top 10 Most Influential Therapists of the past quarter-century”, Dr. Gottman also lays claim to the ability to be able to detect with 91% accuracy, which couples will divorce and which will stay together. He describes himself as not being very popular at dinner parties!

MUST BOTH PARTNERS ATTEND, OR CAN I COME ALONE?

Since the class involves doing exercises together, both partners must participate.

MY PARTNER ISN’T A READER. CAN WE STILL COME TO THE CLASS IF HE/SHE WON’T READ THE BOOK?

Yes, still come to class. While the book provides valuable information, the class lectures will summarise the content of the book. Each person will need the companion workbook however, to do the couple’s exercises efficiently.

SHOULD WE DO THE EXERCISES IN THE BOOK AT HOME OR SAVE THEM FOR THE CLASS?

Either works! We will do some of the exercises from the book during the workshop and some additional adapted exercises that differ from the book. The Workshop Leader will also roleplay what to do and what not to do and there will be other exercises you and your partner will be encouraged to try for yourselves at home.

WHERE IS THE WORKSHOP HELD?

We are currently running the Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work workshop at a country retreat in Brisbane Northside.