Committed couples wanting to strengthen their emotional connection are invited to register for the class “Hold Me Tight: Conversations for Connection.”

According to Reni Weixler, MA, LPC, a Relationship Therapist at Philhaven’s Recovery of Hope, the goal of Hold Me Tight is to “lead to a life time of love, where each partners’ needs are met and the relationship serves as a secure base for both people to flourish in the outside world.”

The class is based on the so-called “new science of love” laid out in the book Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by Dr. Sue Johnson, Director of the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy and Distinguished Research Professor at Alliant University in San Diego, California as well as Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa, Canada.

The Seven Transforming Conversations Dr. Johnson’s book describes are: Recognizing Demon Dialogues, Finding the Raw Spots, Revisiting a Rocky Moment, Hold Me Tight, Forgiving Injuries, Bonding Through Sex and Touch, and Keeping Your Love Alive. Weixler notes, “Hold Me Tight teaches partners to become more empathic, trusting, and open with each other and to more easily handle day-to-day stress and problems. Reading and discussing Hold Me Tight, watching demonstrative videos clips and doing in-class and take-home exercises will strengthen and deepen a couple's emotional connection.”

Dr. Johnson’s book is based on Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT). Her websites explains, “The message of EFT is simple: Forget about learning how to argue better, analyzing your early childhood, making grand romantic gestures, or experimenting with new sexual positions. Instead, recognize and admit that you are emotionally attached to and dependent on your partner in much the same way that a child is on a parent for nurturing, soothing, and protection. EFT focuses on creating and strengthening this emotional bond by identifying and transforming the key moments that foster an adult loving relationship.” According to recent research, EFT has an astounding 70 - 75% success rate and results have been shown to last, even in the face of significant stress.

For any questions and to register: