Gottman Art and Science of Love Weekend Workshop for Couples

No! Absolutely not. Couples sit as an audience during the lectures but at no time do you have to publicly participate or interact with any of the other couples. All exercises are performed with your partner only and we always make sure there is enough space to ensure your privacy.

Workshop sizes vary considerably but approximately 20-25 couples. Every couple has the same opportunities to learn new skills and have their questions answered over the weekend. Private workshops are available if that is more comfortable, you can inquire here.

Approximately half of the two days is teaching you the research, framework, and new tools; and half is focused on you and your partner working together to build new skills, new understanding, and new plans to make your relationship happier, closer, and more satisfying.

If a couple is dealing with physical abuse or battering, this workshop may not be appropriate. In these cases, please consult a trained couples therapist in your area.

The research shows that attending an ASL Workshop is shown to have similar benefits to that of 6 months of relationship therapy, and 94% of participants who have attended, report positive results moving forward and 86% report ongoing improvements in their couple satisfaction when surveyed 12 months and 3 years later.

Absolutely. This workshop is designed for all couples who are in a committed and long-term relationship. Whether you are dating, engaged, living together or married, we encourage EVERY couple to attend and learn skills that will last you a lifetime.

Yes! All couples and all genders are welcome. The Gottman Institute conducted a 12-year study on same-sex couples and concluded that all couples, irrespective of gender and orientation, were subject to many of the same challenges and trials as well as successes as heterosexual couples.

Good question. A good place to start is to share some of Dr John Gottman’s research and videos with your partner. Another would be to share how important your relationship is and how strong your desire is to have a mutually fulfilling, long-lasting partnership.

Our workshops are not designed to accommodate individual therapy during the two days, however, our presenters and rovers are Certified Gottman Therapists who are available to help couples to stay on track with the exercises and to provide guidance during the workshop. If you are still seeking individual therapy after the workshop, we can provide you with contacts for Gottman Trained Therapists in your area via our online Therapist Database.

Our primary presenter is Lisa Stull. Lisa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Gottman Marital Therapist, and Certified Presenter for ASL Level 1 and Level 2, and Seven Principles. Lisa has over 27 years of experience working with couples and individuals in private practice, specializing in anxiety, relationships, and trauma. More information about our presenters can be found here.

The cost to attend includes the two-day workshop, relationship toolbox kit, morning and afternoon beverages, and snacks on both days, in addition to a special gift to keep you on track. All travel and accommodation is additional and at your own expense and organization. However, we find it a great opportunity for most couples to enjoy a bit of a ‘weekend away’ and our venue provides a discounted rate for participants.

Every couple and every situation is different. However we find that if you are both motivated to learn new skills and then implement these changes on a consistent basis, you could join the 94% of couples that report a positive shift in their relationship after completing the workshop.

1. This workshop is based on science and has been developed from over 40 years of research.

2. Dr John Gottman has been recognized as one of the 10 most influential therapists of the past quarter century!

3. Thousands of participants have rated this workshop with a staggering 94% positive feedback rate and 86% report ongoing improvements in their couple satisfaction when surveyed 12 months and 3 years later.

We will continue to be there to support you continuing your development and growth as a couple. If you are seeking further therapy, we can assist you with finding the right Gottman trained therapist in your area via our online Find a Therapist service.

Attending an Art & Science of Love Workshop and seeking couples therapy for specific issues can very much go hand in hand with each other. While ASL is focused on psycho-education and skills development, research does suggest that attending can be considered equivalent to 6 months of couples therapy. We would not advise choosing the workshop over therapy and if you require additional support, we can recommend a Gottman trained therapist in your area via our Find a Therapist service.

Couples who attend our workshop tend to fall into two categories: enhancement and repair. As part of the registration process, one of our trained staff will schedule a brief call with each of you prior to attending. During this call, we can discuss any concerns you may have regarding your present situation. The preservation of your relationship is of paramount importance to us.

As this workshop is focused on psycho-education and skills development and is not therapy, it is up to each couple how ‘heavy’ they want to get. Sometimes the connecting nature of the exercises can result in strong emotions. Our trained Gottman therapists are always on hand to provide support as you engage in all activities together. We mostly find that the tears that are expressed at the workshop are tears of healing and are highly positive and functional.

Our Certified Gottman Therapists are available to work one-on-one with couples who desire support and assistance during exercises. They will be available to assist couples who run into difficulties during the exercises. Please remember that the workshop is psycho-educational and skills development focused. You will NOT receive therapy at this workshop.

Couples sit as an audience during the lecture and then you will break off in private for the exercises.

No, there are no prerequisites to attending a couples workshop. You will have an intensive experience that covers all of the Gottman research, framework, and tools. The workshop is self-contained and is appropriate even if you’ve never heard of Dr. John Gottman and his work. Some find it helpful to peruse the information and videos on our website, but even this is not required.

Nothing makes us happier than for a couple to receive this gift of love. Couples who have received the workshop for an engagement, wedding, or anniversary, are eternally grateful and make sure to tell us about it. It’s especially wonderful to see children who have attended, gift the workshop to their parents, and parents gift it to their children.

Sometimes. While each situation is unique, we do have many couples attend the workshop who are separated or have begun divorce proceedings. These couples continue to report that the workshop was very helpful to them. Our staff will discuss the specifics of your situation with you during the registration process to see if it is appropriate for you.