Arguments are not the problem in relationships—how couples handle them is. Based on decades of research from John Gottman and Julie Gottman, this workshop teaches couples practical tools to reduce conflict, improve communication, strengthen emotional connection, and develop skills that foster long-term relationship success.
We will also explore how early attachment patterns, familiar relational dynamics from childhood, trauma bonding, and nervous system reactivity can shape who we are drawn to and how we respond during conflict. Many disagreements are less about the surface issue (is it really about the dirty dishes?) and more about underlying emotional triggers connected to earlier experiences.
Participants will learn how to differentiate present-moment conflict from old emotional wounds, take perspective during heightened moments, and return to connection more quickly after rupture than going days without speaking to each other. Emphasis will be placed on building relational repair skills, increasing emotional awareness, and understanding that communication and connection are ongoing practices. Research consistently shows that the ratio of positive to negative interactions and the ability to repair conflict are key predictors of long-term relationship satisfaction.
