Presented by Danielle Kepler, LCPC
About The Program:
Do you have difficulty communicating and understanding each other? Are you often arguing in circles about the same issues? Or are you in a good relationship and would like to make it even better? Then this program is for you! It is open to anyone that defines themselves as a couple.
Based on the research findings of John Gottman, this program allows couples to use practical tools to strengthen or improve their relationships.
The program is a combination of lectures and couples exercises. **Participants practice the exercises privately and do not share personal information publicly.
Participates in the full workshop will receive a copy of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work and The Seven Principles Companion Workbook.The workbook includes interactive step-by-step exercises for each chapter.
Participants in the Program Can Expect To:
- Improve their friendship, fondness, and admiration
- Enhance their romance and intimacy
- Manage conflict constructively
- Gain skills to address perpetual and solvable problems
- Create shared meaning
The Program is Different Than Reading the Book!
- The Program provides structure and accountability
- Both partners participate rather than one reading the book
- Educator role plays how to do and not do the exercises
Who May Attend:
- Couples that are pre-engaged or dating
- Pre-marital couples
- Everyone from newlyweds to people married for 10 years
- Those who wish to enhance a good marriage
- Those needing better conflict management tools
**Inappropriate couples would be those experiencing severe relationship distress, emotional abuse, domestic violence, active addictions (alcohol/drug, sexual, gambling etc.) and those who are experiencing severe mental health problems in one or both partners.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is the workshop considered couples therapy?
Absolutely not. The workshop is purely educational and is based on Gottman’s 7 Principles Book. The workshop consists of lectures as well as couples exercises.
Must both partners attend or can I come alone?
Since the class involves couples doing the exercises together, both partners must participate. You may attend with a close friend instead of a significant other.
If the class is offered over a series of sessions and one partner has to miss a particular class, the other partner is still encouraged to attend and can use the exercise time to do their part of the exercise then do the full exercise with their partner at home. They may also take the time to read the 7 Principles Book.
Will we have to share our personal problems with the entire class?
No, the class does not include sharing problems publicly. Couple’s exercises are done privately.
My partner is not a reader, can we still come to the workshop if he/she does not read the book?
Yes! Although the book provides valuable information, the class lectures summarize the content of the book.
I do not own the book. Will we get a copy of the book when we participate in the workshop?
Participants in the full workshop will receive a copy of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work and The Seven Principles Companion Workbook. The workbook includes interactive step-by-step exercises for each chapter.
When will the full workshop be offered? What will the format be?
The full workshop will be offered in the next few months (late winter early spring 2016) and throughout the new year at various locations throughout Chicago.
I am planning to offer a 6 week series (2-hour long classes) as well as a two day intensive (two days of 6 hours of classes).
Information about the presenter
Danielle Kepler, LCPC
Danielle Kepler, LCPC, is a licensed clinical therapist with a private practice located in the Fine Arts Building in the Chicago Loop and also a Gottman Seven Principles and Bringing Baby Home Workshop Educator. She works with couples in every stage of their relationship, whether they are dating or seeking pre-marital or marital counseling. She is very excited to be able to bring these educational workshops to couples who want to make their strong relationships even stronger as well as couples who are in despair and looking for a roadmap to get back on track.
