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Enriching Relationships and Personal Resilence
Enrichment Couples Program
Premarital Education or Couples Enrichment 1:1
Dive deep into the wisdom of the Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by Gottman Institute, couples mindfulness and internal family system principles and enriched with additional insights I have learned over the past 15 years. The educational approach is about rolling up our sleeves and putting theory into practice. I'm here to guide and support you and your partner as you explore new skills and weave them into your relationship tapestry.
Important note: If you're navigating a relationship storm or seeking immediate resolutions, this will not be the right fit. This isn't your typical couples therapy. Instead, I specialize in enrichment guidance for those looking to solidify their bond and learn relationship skills, whether you're heading towards marriage or simply committed to nurturing a new lasting relationship. 🌱💌
Overview
You will learn skills in the three key relationship areas:
(1) Increasing collaboration skills
(2) Seek ways to change old patterns
(3) Strengthening a couple's friendship
(4) Creating a couple's sense of shared purpose and meaning.
(5) Foster respect, affection and closeness
(6) Build and share a deeper connection with each other's inner world
Key Indicators This Program is Right for You:
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You are willing to be self-accountable and recognize the importance of personal growth within the relationship.
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You have a healthy relationship foundation and are seeking to enhance and deepen your connection.
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You are open to learning and trying new skills, focusing on your own growth and letting your partner focus on their own growth.
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You experience disagreements, but they are not overly intense or destructive, and you are committed to constructive resolution.
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This program is not suitable for couples in crisis, such as those dealing with infidelity, trust issues, emotional, physical, or verbal abuse
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Weekly fights without repair and growing resentment. If this is your situation couples therapy is appropriate.
Please note couples therapy may be more appropriate, which I do not offer, but please search at www.psychologytoday.com
Its important you get the right level of care!
Each session of the program will adopt a structured format comprising a lecture delivered through
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PowerPoint or document with information (I give you a copy each week)
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Video presentation
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An in-session exercise, a discussion focusing on the weekly theme
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A practice goal accompanied by assigned readings between sessions.
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This program is structured with flexibility to cater to individual needs. However, the effort put in between sessions can significantly impact its effectiveness.
How to get started!
1. To get started with the program, you can schedule a free consultation by emailing info@inwardwellbeing.com. During this consultation, you can ask any questions and determine if the program is a good fit for your needs.
2. If we decide to move forward with the program after the consultation, simply email back and let me know that you would like to schedule a session. I will then send you a link to fill out the necessary paperwork on my portal and we can schedule your first appointment.
3. We meet once a week for 2 weeks, then we take a week off. I have found it important to have the sessions close together with breaks added to apply the material. I can not do monthly or as-needed with this format, it just doesn't work.
😊🌈
With this upbeat approach, couples eager to nurture their bond and build an even deeper connection often find the best results. Here's to growing together and celebrating love's potential! 🌱❤️
Insurance:
Please note that this program is educational and not covered by insurance. Insurance typically covers services deemed medically necessary according to DSM criteria. Since these enrichment classes are not designed to treat a specific mental health diagnosis, they do not qualify for insurance coverage
Location:
I offer sessions via Telehealth in OK and TX.
Cost:
$75 a session
Time:
75 minutes and sometimes up to 90 minutes (depending if its a video night)
Topics of Learning
Introduction and Orientation
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Overview of the program and its goals
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Introduction to Dr. Gottman's research on relationship stability
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Brief overview of polyvagal theory and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy
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Introduction to mindfulness practices for couples
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Understanding the basics of parts work in IFS
Building a Strong Foundation
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Understanding the Sound Relationship House Theory
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Discussing the importance of friendship and admiration
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Exercises to strengthen emotional connection
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Mindfulness techniques to enhance present-moment awareness
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Identifying and acknowledging parts that support friendship and admiration
Effective Communication Skills
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Learning the art of gentle communication
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Techniques for active listening and empathy
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Practice exercises to enhance communication
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Using mindfulness to stay grounded during conversations
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Recognizing when parts are activated during communication and how to manage them
Collaborating and Negotiating Effectively
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Identifying common patterns in disagreements
Introduction to the concept of self-soothing using polyvagal theory
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Strategies for effective collaboration and negotiation
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Mindfulness exercises to maintain calm during discussions
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Learning to do a U-Turn in IFS to understand and manage reactive parts
Deepening Emotional Intimacy
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Exploring shared meaning and goals
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Building rituals of connection
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Exercises to deepen emotional intimacy
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Mindful practices to increase emotional awareness and connection
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Exploring parts that may hinder or help emotional intimacy
Healthy Intimacy and Communication about Sex
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Understanding the importance of healthy intimacy in a relationship
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Strategies for discussing sexual needs and desires comfortably
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Exercises to enhance physical and emotional intimacy
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Using mindfulness to be present and connected during intimate moments
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Exploring parts that influence sexual expression and intimacy
Understanding and Calming the Nervous
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System introduction to polyvagal theory in-depth techniques to recognize and regulate nervous system states
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Practical exercises for self-regulation
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Integrating mindfulness into daily routines for nervous system regulation
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Identifying parts that are activated by nervous system responses and learning to soothe them
Exploring Internal Family Systems
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(IFS)Understanding parts work and self-energy in IFS
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Identifying and discussing protective and exile partsExercises for couples to explore their internal worlds
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Mindfulness techniques to help in unblending and recognizing parts
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Practicing U-Turns to foster better understanding and communication
Repair Exercises
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Techniques for addressing issues when problems occur as they will.
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Using IFS to foster compassion and understanding
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Gottman Repair Skills
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Working with parts involved in past hurts and learning to heal them
Strengthening Commitment and Trust
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Discussing the role of trust and commitment in relationships
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Strategies to rebuild and maintain trust
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Enrichment building activities
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Using mindfulness to reinforce trust and commitment
Integration and Moving Forward
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Reviewing key concepts and skills learned developing a personalized action plan for continued growth
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Final reflections and program closure
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Mindfulness exercises to support ongoing relationship growth
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Ensuring parts are aligned and committed to the relationship’s future
