7 Principles for Making Marriage Work
Gottman Couples Workshop
The Gottman Method
The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy founded by world-renown relationship experts, Dr. John and Dr. Julie Gottman.
​
Most couples seek therapy for singular issues such as conflict or communication. However, over 20 years of relationship research has found that focusing only on these issues is not enough to get relationships on the right track. The goals of the Gottman Method are to disarm conflicting verbal communication, increase intimacy, respect, and affection, remove barriers to connection, and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the relationship. Improving upon these aspects shows a positive correlation with a couples friendship, willingness to accept influences and turn toward each other, and the over arching sentiment between them (Are we allies or enemies?)​.
7 Principles Workshop
Developed by the Gottman Insitute, the Seven Principles Workshop is an educational workshop being offered across the US and internationally, and has strengthened the relationships of tens of thousands of couples.​
The workshop is designed to help couples improve their friendship and fondness for each other, while offering powerful communication and conflict management skills.
​
Bringing levity and a lightheartedness to the room, couples will learn through lecture, demonstrations, videos, and activities. No personal sharing is required. ​​
What will you learn?
This workshop provides evidence based tools to help couples improve relationship quality and satisfaction by:
​
-
Developing skills to manage conflict constructively
-
Identifying and learning tools to address perpetual and solvable problems
-
Improving friendship, fondness, and admiration
-
Enhancing romance and intimacy
-
Creating a couples sense of shared meaning
-
Maintaining gains throughout lifetime
-
Strengthening friendship
​
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 I encourage questions and comments, you do not need to speak in the workshop if you do not want.
Is this workshop for us?
Couples that would benefit from this workshop:
-
​Pre-engaged
-
Engaged
-
Those who wish to enhance an already "good" marriage or relationship
-
Those who wish to gain conflict management skills
-
Every phase of relationships, from newlyweds to senior couples
-
Those considering couples therapy but who are not "ready" for weekly therapy yet
-
People of ALL backgrounds, ages, faiths and sexual orientations
​
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
​
Think you might be a couple not suited for this workshop? All that means, is that therapy has shown to be the most appropriate approach for the type of concerns listed above. You and your partner would likely benefit from more specialized, clinical support.
​
If you are unsure if this is for you, please reach out so we can discuss further whether this is a good fit.
Your Investment
CouplesWorkshop
​
Saturday November 8th 10:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday November 9th 11:30am - 4:30pm
Where: Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library
3541 Park Avenue - Brookfield, IL
​
Cost: $750 per couple
Early bird special! Register before October 15th at a discounted price of $700 per couple.​
Payment must be made at the time of registration for the workshop.
What's Included:
-
Workshop participation
-
2 Workbooks
-
7 Principles for Making Marriage Work book
-
Snacks and refreshments.
​​
Registration:
-
Use the register button or QR code to access the Google Registration Form with a few brief questions and payment options.
-
Early bird special! Register before October 15th and receivce $50 off, bringing the cost down to $700 per couple.
​​​​​
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet your facilitators
The workshop is being co-hosted by myself and colleague, Meg Lestina LCSW, CAMS-II. Combined, Meg and I have over 15 years experience as therapists and mental health educators providing individual and couples therapy to La Grange and the surrounding communities.
​
Well versed in addressing issues such as coparenting, communication, conflict, building emotional connection, finding balance between work, family, and couple time, pre-marital counseling, family planning, parenting, infidelity, divorce, coparenting, betrayal, intimacy, broken trust, alcohol abuse, interracial couples, in-law relationships, LGBT couples, ENM couples, trauma, attachment wounds, resentments, and more, we have worked with couples about everything from household responsibilities to betrayals and deep seated resentments.
​​​
Training:
Megan John and Meg Lestina have completed Gottman trainings, The 7 Principles Workshop Facilitator training, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples. ​
I see myself as a guide to couples bridging gaps in understanding, developing skills in emotional attunement, and enabling them to connect and communicate in ways that resonate uniquely with that couple. Relationships are dynamic, complex, and continuously evolving. When we add in busy days, individual goals, work, kids, family, and stressors we can be challenged to maintain connection and patience. I think of relationships like a garden - sometimes the work is light whereas other times it requires a lot of digging and troubleshooting. I remind my clients that relationships don't suffer or thrive because of any one big event. Rather it's all the little things that accumulate over time. Similarly, a plant does not die because you didn't water it one day. Together we learn how to water our relationship through the many sliding door moments we have each day.
