The Art & SCIENCE of Love: A Weekend Workshop for Couples
Workshop Description
Discover The Art and Science of Love at our world-renowned weekend workshop for couples created by Drs. John and Julie Gottman and see for yourself why millions of couples worldwide have benefited from the Gottman Method.
- 2 days filled with engaging presentations and experiential activities designed to confirm, strengthen, or restore your love
- For couples of every age, ability, and sexual orientation
- Shown to achieve results similar to those of 6 months of marital therapy
- Has produced positive results for 94% of those who attend
Based on over 40 years of research with thousands of couples, The Art and Science of Love workshop will give you new insights and research-based skills that can dramatically improve the intimacy and friendship in your relationship and help you manage conflict in a healthy, positive way.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Our curriculum is developed from 40 years of research with more than 3,000 couples. It’s grounded on what actually works in relationships that are happy and stable, not idealistic notions or anecdotal evidence of what a relationship should be. On day one, you will learn how to build friendship in your relationship and express feelings of respect and affection. On day two, you will learn how to manage conflict and communicate effectively.
94 % of couples who participated in this workshop in Seattle at The Gottman Institute report positive results.
The workshop has produced positive results for 94% of those who attend based on exit surveys, but don’t just take our word for it. Click here to read one real couple’s story, “15 Favorite Moments from our Gottman Weekend Workshop.”
What will I learn?
You and your partner will learn how to foster respect, affection, and closeness in your relationship. You will build and share a deeper connection with each other. You’ll learn how to keep conflict discussions calm, how to break through conflicted gridlock, and how to strengthen and maintain the gains in your relationship.
Other workshop topics include:
Learn to recognize the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and what to do if they are attacking your marriage | Identify your relationship’s specific strengths and how to build on them together |
Learn about the effects of physiological flooding and how it may affect conflict resolution | 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 six skills for effective conflict resolutions |
Who is the workshop for?
This workshop is designed for ALL couples in a committed relationship. You do not need to be married. If you have a strong relationship, this workshop will provide you with insights and tools to foster further closeness, friendship, and trust. If your relationship is distressed, this two-day workshop will provide you with a greater understanding of your relationship and a road map for repair.
No public discussion or disclosure is involved. All work is done as a couple and Gottman-trained therapists are available to support one-on-one during exercises. This educational workshop may not be appropriate for couples dealing with addiction, domestic violence, or other serious relationship issues. In those situations, we recommend seeking counseling with a Gottman-trained therapist.
What is included in the price?
In addition to a greater understanding of how to build friendship, manage conflict, and create shared meaning in your relationship, you will receive The Art and Science of Love box set, which contains the entire curriculum plus games and exercises for building friendship, emotional intimacy, and romance and several tools for managing ongoing conflict that is inherent in all relationships.
Why have so many couples chosen our workshops to enhance and enrich their relationships?
- Our methods are grounded in science, and based on 40 years of research with more than 3000 couples.
- Our workshops are for couples of every type.
- Two days filled with practical, simple tools and exercises to help you confirm, strengthen or restore your love.
- 86% of people who complete the Gottman couples workshops in Seattle report positive results and make significant progress on conflicts that once felt “gridlocked” (based on exit surveys).
- These numbers are a big improvement over other forms of relationship intervention. For example, acclaimed marriage researcher Neil Jacobson conducted an evaluation of one of the most highly regarded therapy methods and showed that only 35 percent of couples using it improved their marriages.
- The workshops are shown to achieve results similar to those of 6 months of marital therapy (though this workshop is not therapy).
- Along with the memory of re-connecting and the knowledge of what you can achieve together, you will also take home a box of techniques, cards, tools and tips to support your relationship in your everyday lives.
Can we attend the workshop even if we aren’t married?
Absolutely. Couples workshops are open to ALL couples - married and unmarried, straight or gay.
Can I come to the workshop alone if I can’t convince my partner to attend?
Sorry, no. Our workshops are specifically designed to be interactive and experiential for couples only.
How can I convince my partner to attend a workshop/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 Dr. Gottman’s book, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, with their partners.
I’d love to come to your workshop, but my partner is a private person and is not comfortable sharing in a group setting.
Though the lecture part of the workshop is done in a large group, all workshop exercises are performed with your partner only, and at no time are you asked to interact with other couples. There is no small/large group work, and no mandatory sharing or public disclosure. We utilize several rooms in order to provide enough space for all couples to work privately on their relationship, implementing the new skills and techniques being taught. Michael and Sinead are available to work one-on-one with couples who desire additional assistance with the exercises.
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. Feedback from both enhancement and repair couples indicates that the couples workshop was very beneficial to them.
Would it make sense for us to attend if we are already separated or in the process of divorce?
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.
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 for Marriage Work” by Dr. John Gottman enhanced their workshop experience by providing a foundation in the research concepts and applications.
Do you provide childcare?
No, we do not provide childcare options.
Testimonials
“My husband and I took Art & Science of Love (Gottman) Couples Workshop with Michael and Joy as part of our 20th Anniversary celebration and tuneup. We have two children entering the teen years and realized our parenting roles were shifting. We, also, needed to reinvest in each other."
"The workshop forced us to prioritize our marriage and start remembering that we actually like each other and have fun together."
"Michael and Joy did a wonderful job of leading us through exercises that build friendship and help with conflict resolution. They provided a safe, low stress and often humorous space to try out the Gottman techniques. They presented research and statistics about friendship and conflict in marriage that helped us to depersonalize our issues. The workshop was a tuneup in reconciling our love and our humanity.”
“The Workshop gave us a chance to really listen to each other’s issues and create a structure for creating We-ness”
“We started to talk about our issues in a productive way... it was extremely helpful in learning tools that are Constructive - rather than Destructive - in addressing issues!”
“Learning practical tools to help navigate a bumpy relationship and to break the ice for difficult discussions was a positive highlight”
“We can now talk openly and honestly to each other without judgement”
“My spouse really heard me today about topics that are important to me”
“I enjoyed the break-out activities and learning about the research”
