Feel Close Again.
You love each other. But somewhere between work, family, responsibilities, and the same arguments that never seem to get resolved, it can become harder to feel truly connected.
The Hold Me Tight® Couples Workshop gives you two days to step away from everyday life, slow things down, and understand what keeps pulling you apart.
Based on Emotionally Focused Therapy, this workshop will help you recognize the patterns you get caught in, have the conversations that are difficult to have at home, and learn how to reach for each other in a different way.
Slow down. Reconnect. Feel close again.
Based on the Groundbreaking Work of Dr. Sue Johnson
The Hold Me Tight® Couples Workshop was developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, internationally renowned psychologist, researcher, and the primary developer of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
Based on her bestselling book, Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, the workshop translates decades of attachment science and couples research into meaningful conversations that help partners better understand each other, break out of painful patterns, and create a stronger, more secure emotional bond.
What You'll Learn Together
Understand Your Pattern
Discover the negative cycle you get caught in—the pattern underneath the arguments, distance, or misunderstandings that keep pulling you apart.
Understand What's Underneath
Learn to recognize the deeper emotions and attachment needs that often get hidden beneath anger, criticism, defensiveness, or withdrawal.
Have Different Conversations
With guidance and structured exercises, you'll have meaningful conversations with your partner privately—at your own pace and without sharing with the group.
Create Lasting Connection
Learn how to reach for each other in ways that build greater safety, trust, closeness, and connection—long after the workshop ends.
Your Weekend Together
November 6–7 · Two days to slow down, reconnect & feel close again
Throughout the weekend, brief teaching and examples are followed by guided, private conversations between you and your partner.
You will never be asked to share the details of your relationship with the group.
Friday
Understanding the Dance You're Caught In
9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Breakfast and Lunch Provided
Understanding Connection
We begin by exploring what creates emotional safety and connection—and why even couples who deeply love each other can lose their way.
Recognizing Your Negative Cycle
Discover the pattern you get caught in—the arguments, misunderstandings, silence, or distance that can leave both of you feeling disconnected.
Finding What's Underneath
Learn to look beneath anger, criticism, defensiveness, or withdrawal to recognize the deeper emotions, fears, and needs that are harder to express.
Turning Toward Each Other
Begin having a different kind of conversation—one that helps your partner understand what is happening inside you and makes it safer to reach for each other.
Saturday
Finding Your Way Back to Each Other
9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Breakfast and Lunch Provided
Reaching & Responding
Build on Friday's work by practicing how to reach for your partner—and respond in ways that create greater emotional safety, trust, and closeness.
Healing Important Moments
Explore the hurts and missed moments that can linger between you, and learn how to begin repairing them together in a way that brings you closer.
Deepening Intimacy
Discover how feeling emotionally safe, seen, and understood creates the foundation for greater affection, intimacy, and connection.
Bringing It Home
Leave with a new understanding of each other, a clearer way to recognize and interrupt your negative cycle, and tools to keep creating connection long after the weekend ends.
Location
Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel
1110 Willow Rd.
Northbrook, IL 60062
847-480-1922
Your Guides
Tina Sprague
Glenview, IL
Tina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker certified in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapist (EFIT) with a passion for helping couples repair disconnection and build stronger, more secure bonds. Visit her at www.SpeakFromTheHeartTherapy.com.
Shera Wiscons
St. Louis, MO
Shera is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), with over a decade of experience helping couples restore closeness, strengthen their emotional bond, and build more fulfilling relationships. She is the owner of Connective Counseling and after 17 years with her husband, knows that strong relationships are always a work in progress. Visit her at ConnectiveCounseling.org.
Hold Me Tight® May Not Be the Right Fit If:
- You and your partner have different goals for the relationship, or one partner is not currently committed to working on the relationship. If you're both committed but simply unsure how to move forward, the workshop may still be a good fit.
- There is an ongoing affair. The workshop can be helpful for couples healing after an affair, but it is not recommended while an affair is still active.
- Your relationship is currently highly volatile, making it difficult to spend extended time together without conflict escalating.
- There is active intimate partner violence or a concern for either partner's safety.
Not sure if the workshop is right for you? We're happy to talk with you before you register to help determine whether Hold Me Tight® would be a good fit for your relationship.
[email protected]Reserve Your Place
Space is limited to ensure an intimate, held experience. We'd love to welcome you.
$995 Early Bird
$1,095 Regular Registration
All couples will receive a copy of the Hold Me Tight Workbook by Sue Johnson.
Questions? Reach out at [email protected]