Weekend Couples Retreats

Join me in Savannah, Georgia for a weekend experience with your significant other at a Hold Me Tight Workshop. 

Hold Me Tight® is an educational workshop based on the best-selling book by Dr. Sue Johnson, Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love. The structured curriculum used in this workshop is based on the theory and practice of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT).  EFT is a systematic approach that aims to reduce relationship distress and help couples create trust and intimacy.

In this private weekend workshop, you will learn how to identify and change the negative patterns that get in the way of intimacy, make sense of emotions, and restore trust and safety in your relationship.

The workshop is led by Karen Harmon-Berry, LISW-S, a mental health therapist with over 20 years of experience.  You will be guided through facilitated conversations, video presentations, exercises, and “one-on-one” discussions to help you reconnect and transform your relationship.

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What is EFT?

EFT or Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples is a well-validated, structured approach that is designed to help couples understand each other’s emotions and respond effectively to each other’s needs. It is based on adult attachment theory and is widely used as one of the most successful approaches to creating loving relationships and lasting bonds.

In EFT, couples learn to identify their negative communication cycle, how to express deeper underlying emotions, reach towards each other, and be responsive in more loving and positive ways. When couples can clearly communicate and respond to attachment needs, it can create the safety, trust and support that couples long for.

What will we actually do at the workshop?

I will present information about love and attachment to help you make sense of the cycles of disconnection in which couples often find themselves. I will also show videos of actual couples working through common cycles of conflict, and ask you to privately engage in structured conversations/exercises with your partner. We will reflect as a group and you will have the opportunity to discuss your experience with the exercises. This group sharing is optional and no one is required at any time to share with the group. However, many of my participants find this part of the workshop most helpful.  

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Is this workshop right for us?

This workshop is appropriate for couples who want to create a more loving bond – married, unmarried, straight, gay, the long married, or the recently married – anyone who wants to work on their relationship. Only a few situations would indicate that this workshop wouldn’t be the best approach right now:  where there is violence in a relationship, where there is active untreated addiction, or where there is an active affair.

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This workshop focuses on health and growth. It is geared toward couples looking to understand their patterns of communication and improve their bond. The goal is to help make sense of the strong emotions or distancing that happens when there is disconnection in your relationship. We are not trying to find out “who’s to blame,” but instead focusing on “how do we restore or deepen the connection?"  One thing that I love about the weekend experience is that you get to make a lot of progress and gain much more understanding in just two days, as opposed to traditional therapy.  

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Is group participation required at the workshop?

This educational workshop is not group therapy and there is no requirement for group participation. I understand that many people are very private and can be anxious about being in a group. 

When we are together as a group, the time is spent primarily with the workshop leaders presenting material or watching videos. Then, couples spread out in the space to have private couple conversations. There is an opportunity to share experiences afterwards with the group, with some people choosing to do so. Any group sharing is at your discretion and comfort level.

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What is the format of the workshop?

Information presented to the group, videos, and private conversations with your significant other will be the format.  The Book, "Hold Me Tight" is the foundation for the material in the book.  It is recommended that you have the book and read the first part of the book on your own prior to the workshop.  

​SCHEDULE

Saturday 9 AM-5 PM, and Sunday 9 AM-5 PM; Lunch will be on your own outside of the hotel. 

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How much does the HMT weekend retreat cost?

The cost of the workshop is $700 per couple.

The registration fee covers the participation of both partners for the 2-day workshop. There will be lite snacks and beverages provided each day. Meals and lodging are not included. 

If a cancellation request is received 21 days prior to the workshop, a full refund is given. If a cancellation is requested less than 21 days prior to the workshop, 50% of the fee will be refunded.

Where is the workshop?

The workshop will be held at Hotel Indigo in downtown Savannah, Georgia. 

This beautiful hotel is just steps from iconic River Street and many attractions and restaurants.  

**Hold Me Tight® is a registered trademark to Sue Johnson.

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