The Art and Science of Love:
A Weekend Workshop for Couples
Seattle, WA, Workshops Presented by
Drs. John and Julie Gottman
2008 Dates
- February 2 & 3 Sold Out
- April 26 & 27 Sold Out
- June 21 & 22 Sold Out
- September 13 & 14 Sold Out
- December 6 & 7
2009 Dates
Seattle-based couples workshops are held on Saturday and Sunday at the Seattle Center in Seattle, Washington. Register Early as All Workshops Sell Out!
Further Information and Registration
For further information please refer to the web pages regarding Location, Dates, and Hotels or Costs. You are able to register for this workshop online, by phone or by fax/mail. For information please visit our Registration page.
Transfer/Cancellation Policy
Every couple has a full year to use their registration and transfers are FREE. If you cancel prior to three weeks before the workshop date, a full refund minus a $50 processing fee can be given.
Who Should Attend
Research shows that on average, couples wait six years from the first signs of problems before they seek help. This workshop is designed to strengthen your marriage or relationship. If you have a strong relationship, this workshop will provide you with insights and tools to make it a great one. If your relationship is distressed, this two-day workshop will provide a road map for repair.
If the couple is dealing with physical abuse or battering, this workshop may not be appropriate. In these cases, please consult with Gottman Institute triage staff.
What You'll Learn
This two-day workshop 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.
At the workshop, couples 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
The Workshop Program
John Gottman, Ph.D., has learned what really makes marriages work by studying and following over 3,000 couples in 30 years of research. John and Julie have designed this workshop to teach you exactly what successful couples do to foster romance and harmony in their marriages.
During the first day, you will learn how to build fondness, admiration, and closeness in your relationship. On the second day, you'll work on conflict management while learning new and important communication skills.
During the skill building exercises in the workshop, Certified Gottman Therapists™ serve as “roving support therapists” to support couples one-on-one with their exercises. These therapists hold degrees in a variety of mental health disciplines, including doctorates in psychology, master’s degrees in marriage and family therapy, social work, clinical psychology, and counseling psychology. Of our current Certified Gottman Therapists, three hold degrees of Master’s of Divinity in non-denominational Christianity.
In the workshop, there will be many humorous stories and role-plays by John and Julie. Couples work privately on exercises designed to address the challenges in their real-life relationship. Gottman therapists are available to support couples one-on-one with exercises. There is no group work or public disclosure.
At the end of the workshop you will leave with a greater understanding of your relationship and the skills to repair or enhance it.
Workshop Topics
1. The five basic questions:
- How is your marriage/relationship doing?
- What makes relationships change, for better or for worse?
- If your relationship is in trouble, how can you turn it around?
- If your relationship is doing well, how can you ensure that your relationship will continue to grow?
- As your relationship improves, how can you make changes last?
2. Assessing your relationship
- Learn to recognize the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and what to do if they are attacking your relationship/marriage
- Identify your relationship's specific strengths and how to build on these
- Learn about the effects of physiological flooding and how it may impede conflict resolution
- Learn the small, easy steps that increase romance in your relationship
3. Building a "Sound Relationship House"
- Learn how Love Maps provide a solid foundation for intimacy
- Use the Fondness and Admiration System to renew respect and care for one another
- Create an Emotional Bank Account that you can draw upon in times of stress
- Develop your problem-solving skills, including the four techniques of effective conflict resolution: Softened Start-up, Accepting Influence, Repair Work, and De-escalation
- Find out how you can make your dreams and aspirations come true for you, your partner, and your relationship
LOOKING FOR A COUPLES WORKSHOP OUTSIDE OF SEATTLE? The Art and Science of Love: Couples Workshop is Now Presented in New Locations by Certified Gottman Couples Workshop Leaders. Click here for more information.
- CALIFORNIA
MENLO PARK - June 7 & 8, 2008
SANTA ROSA - November 1 & 2, 2008
SACRAMENTO - November 22 & 23, 2008
- ILLINOIS
CHICAGO AREA - October 11 & 12
- MARYLAND / WASHINGTON, DC
BALTIMORE / WASHINGTON, DC - March 21 & 22, 2009
- MINNESOTA
MINNEAPOLIS - June 21 & 22, 2008
- MISSOURI
ST. LOUIS- April 26 & 27, 2008
- NEW MEXICO
CLOUDCROFT - October 4 & 5, 2008
- TEXAS
AUSTIN - August 2 & 3, 2008
HOUSTON - February 21 & 22, 2009
HOUSTON - May 16 & 17, 2009
- CANADA
LANGLEY - November 8 & 9, 2008
Read a short article from US News & World Report, 12/17/06, on "Divorceproofing Your Marriage."
Questions? Please contact us at (206) 431-5423 within Washington State or (888) 523-9042 ext 1 toll free or email us at gottman@gottman.com. (Workshop and product questions only, please. Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to therapeutic questions via email. Also, please be sure to include your email address in your message.)
