Often couples say that they experience the same troubling patterns with their partners over and over; although the topics may vary, the end result – of conflict and disconnection – seems the same. It’s so frustrating not to be able to get your message across and have your partner understand what you need. Sometimes communicating, itself, seems risky – will it lead to more disconnection and distress? Despite your deep love and desire for your partner, it can feel that you are miles apart. If you’ve experienced the same thing, you may wonder why it happens as well as how you can get out of those cycles and back to smooth sailing with the one you love.
In the Hold Me Tight® workshop, we explain and offer concrete directions to help you cool down the distress, understand one another better and create the closeness you desire. We offer you the science of love and attachment, explaining in plain language what’s happening between us and our partner. We make it practical and applied, including specific suggestions and video clips showing how it’s done. We offer clear-cut ways to communicate differently – a guide to making those communications feel safe and go smoothly. We also show you how to create a sense of closeness, trust, and intimacy with your partner.
Let’s Connect:
Thank you for considering our one-day couples workshop called Hold Me Tight®, a program developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, founder of Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT). We would love to have you join us at our upcoming event on Saturday, September 23, 2023!
During this workshop, you will learn from presentations, discussions, example videos, and personal exercises about how love goes wrong, and how you and your partner can make sense of the emotions in your relationship. You will also learn how to stop fighting and start connecting differently, how to heal past hurts, and how to create the relationship you’ve always wanted. This workshop is open to couples of all sexual and gender orientations.
Check-in is Saturday morning from 8:45am – 9:00am. We meet from 9:00am – 5:00pm with a little over an hour for lunch and short breaks throughout the day. Initially, we meet as a large group, using presentation and plentiful videos and examples. Break-out sessions are done with each couple having private conversations to complete exercises together. Workshop leaders are available for consultation on the exercises if desired. Respect for privacy is paramount and sharing in large group is voluntary.
Dr. Jeanne Peterson
Dr. Peterson holds a license as a psychologist in the state of Florida and is also a Certified EFT Therapist and Supervisor. She received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology in 1992 from the Florida Institute of Technology, completing her internship at the USF Counseling Center. She previously earned a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University (1984) and completed a clinical externship in structural-strategic family therapy through the Institute for Juvenile Research in Chicago (1987). She is a member of the American Psychological Association and Florida Psychological Association and is a Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Her previous clinical experience spans 30 years and has been in a variety of settings including community mental health centers, substance abuse treatment facilities, University counseling centers, inpatient treatment facilities, and private practice. She has been a faculty member at the University of Connecticut in their COAMFTE-accredited marriage and family therapy doctoral program, at North Carolina State University in their APA-accredited School Psychology program, and at the Florida School of Professional Psychology where she served as Dean and Associate professor in their APA-accredited Clinical Psychology program. Dr. Peterson currently is in full-time private practice, where she sees clients, offers workshops, and supervises graduate students and residents.
Dr. Ryan Henry
Dr. Henry is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Tampa, FL. He received his Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University and later his Doctorate of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University in April 2003. He is a Certified EFT Therapist and Supervisor, and a Florida Board-approved Supervisor. He is also a Clinical Fellow in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapist since 2006.
Dr. Henry is a faculty member at the University of South Florida where he serves as the Program Coordinator for the Marriage and Family Therapy Concentration in the Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling Program in Tampa. Dr. Henry maintains a private practice where he works with distressed couples through 1-3 day intensives and provides supervision for therapists. He has a passion for working with highly distressed couples and specializes in helping couples recover from the effects of pornography, addiction, and affairs.
Hold Me Tight® will be presented by Drs. Jeanne Peterson and Ryan Henry, As experienced group leaders, they can help you improve your relationship. For more info, or if you are interested in registering, please call our office 813-907-9191.
"The material is marriage-changing. The therapists are gentle, kind, and encouraging. They know the material, and are lovely humans."
"If you want to grow as a couple and feel more connected to your partner, you have to attend. This workshop is scientifically validated. Just do it."
"Take the risk. The risk is worth the reward of feeling seen and known. Invest in the hard things."
"It will change the way you view your partner and how he/she responds to you."
"This workshops allows you to breakdown your cycle in a way that makes sense."
"This workshop gave us education, insight, time, and space to not only hear good things, but also experience them."
"It is a safe environment and allows you to discuss vulnerable parts of your relationship."
"The program allows you to better understand your partner’s needs, as well as your own needs. It also teaches you how to diffuse conflicts quickly and efficiently."
"It's worth the price of admission."
"You will walk away feeling better about each other if you're willing and able to self reflect."
"What people don't understand and realize is that connection and love are basic needs to function. We are designed to bond and we all need other people. This retreat teaches just that. It also allows you to feel comfortable creating those secure bonds and it promotes healing "