(A first-person experience)
No matter how many years in you are in your relationship, sometimes fresh perspective can help repair fractures or strengthen a bond that was already strong. The Hold Me Tight® Workshop developed by Dr. Sue Johnson and designed around her best-selling book, “Hold Me Tight,” is intended to improve your emotional connection, communication and relationship.
The course description sounds really intriguing and I was definitely interested, but I never in a million years thought my husband would agree to a “relationship workshop.” And like most people, I was not interested in sitting on a zoom call with strangers staring at me or air any of my private information to them. If that sounds like a NO to you as well, you will be happy to know that this workshop requires NONE of that.
With social distancing and limited in-person numbers in mind, an online version of the Hold Me Tight® Workshop is being offered by Patrick Monette, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Emotional Focused Therapy Trained Therapist. Most of us haven’t been able to engage in many of our favorite activities lately, so what better time to enroll in a workshop to strengthen your relationship?
The course, broken up into 8 small sessions, is done entirely on zoom and does not require you to have your video or microphone on; The only person on camera with audio is the presenter. Monette discusses various relationship topics and promotes insightful questions for couples to discuss. The model was structured loosely around presentation of a topic, short video clips and then time for couples to work on discussion exercises. Questions and feedback are private messaged to Monette, which he reads without names.
My husband and I cherished our weekly “date nights” with Patrick’s workshop. A few times when we were ACTUALLY able to get rid of our kids, we got a take-out dinner while we watched the evening’s session. But even when our kids were home, we were able to steal the time away while they were engaged in other activities. Since you are muted in the session, it even allows for the occasional sibling fight to break out without embarrassing you on camera.
We found the program both relaxing and soul searching. Questions sparked some of the deepest and most intimate conversations of our 20 years together. Conversations that would have never just “come up” in day-to-day interactions. We really explored some of our reactions to different scenarios and developed a deeper understand of each other. We both felt it was one of the biggest commitments we have made to each other for our future.
Here are some TESTIMONIALS from other couples that have taken the course:
“We feel the Hold Me Tight Workshop has been the missing link to our marriage. We thought we had to work harder on communicating, but the harder we tried, the more we felt ourselves drifting from each other. HMT helped us realize that we both wanted the same thing in our marriage...connection.
What we liked best about the HMT Workshop was that it was online and confidential. The hour and a half seemed to go by so fast, we didn’t want it to end! We looked forward to our Saturday evenings as our “us time.” It was like being out on a date, but in the comfort of our own house.
Patrick was accommodating to our busy schedules, confidential and professional yet fun!
Thank you, Patrick Monette for providing the HMT workshop. This has made us a stronger couple and was the best thing we could have done for our relationship. We will be attending another HMT Workshop in the near future.”
“We thought the program was terrific!
After struggling with relationship/marital issues for over 2 years on our own, we were looking for some mediation. Patrick’s virtual Hold Me Tight retreat was exactly what we needed!
With Patrick’s direction we were able to heal hurts, understand and communicate at a higher level. All at our own pace, during a pandemic in the comfort of our own home!
Thank You!”
“This course was more than expected. Couples don't have to be struggling to want to enhance their connection and my husband and I were able to truly learn about connecting better. We didn't realize how many habits and ‘demon dialogues’ we had engaged in.
The feedback from our fantastic instructor, and the group we were privileged to be a part of, really challenged us. We feel stronger and more focus on us again after letting life and many children separate us emotionally.
This course guided us to work hard at seeing ourselves again and each other in a new way of love, acceptance and understanding.
My wife is more beautiful than the day I met her. Because learning to dance with her I can see her real heart and smile again. I am finding myself eager to get home quickly again.
My husband seems like a strong man again and I feel we have learned to trust us again. The book was helpful, but it was the rhythm of the classes and the instruction we were part of that really helped us understand each other. We are very thankful for this opportunity and hope to dance together for many years ahead.”
