12-Week Marriage Counseling Program

Intensive marriage counseling for Seattle-area couples
The structure of a workshop with the privacy of counseling appointments

Everyone knows marriage today is in crisis.

But they’re wrong. Marriage is carving out new territory. For the first time in history, we’re marrying for emotional connection, not economic security. The emotional bond marriage holds more potential for fulfillment, but also for disappointment. People in happy marriages usually report their marriage is the most satisfying part of their lives. But it takes commitment and tools to get there. And every marriage runs into major challenges at some point.

Rock Solid is a marriage counseling program that strengthens the four factors of a solid marriage.

Master the Safe Zone
You need a Safe Zone if you get stuck in vicious cycles of communication. Or you keep quiet to avoid the blow-ups. All the nasty behaviors people display are really attempts at self-protection. For 200,000 years we had to be strong adversaries to survive. Couples must resist their time-honored impulses to make each other feel unsafe.

You master the Safe Zone when you can be upset or angry and still look out for both of you, instead of allowing your survival instincts to kick in. This Program gives you a customized toolbox of communication strategies. It gives you tools to speak from the heart without things going south, which is the lifeblood of a solid marriage.

Know Your Relationship Scripts
Your Relationship Script is the emotional DNA of your relationship. It’s the set of desires, beliefs and scenarios that invisibly filter your perceptions and direct your behavior.

Do you calm down after a fight, apologize and feel loving again, but the issue doesn’t feel resolved? Or do you feel a lot of outrage, instead of simple anger? Your Relationship Script is getting triggered.

Too many people carry their desires and beliefs locked inside them. This program shows you how to identify your script so you can respond accurately to what’s going on. And share it in safety so you feel known and accepted at your core. When you relate at this level, you have a bond that is unique and irreplaceable. You affair-proof your marriage.

Manage Trigger Moments
This factor is in play if you know how to communicate intellectually but you can’t do it in the moment. Or you do feel resolved eventually, but it’s an exhausting process to get to there.

A Trigger Moment is when your partner does something to trigger your Relationship Script and your emotions threaten to rocket you out of the safe zone. Usually, that’s the beginning of a vicious cycle. This program shows you the steps to take to calm your emotions and read your partner’s signals accurately. Then you can pull both of you back into the safe zone before any damage is done.

Practice the Art of Passion
The biggest myth about sex is that sexual problems are always due to emotional problems in the relationship. Emotional closeness is fundamental. But if you’re not having sex, you feel like roommates, or you relate mostly as parents, chances are you have been neglecting the art of passion. We Americans are pragmatic addicts and pleasure is too often last on our list.

This program gives you a framework for getting reacquainted with each other’s desires, getting back in the habit of cultivating pleasure, and making room in your busy lives for an erotic relationship.

Experience real results in 12 weeks.

This intensive marriage counseling program includes:

• A 30-minute assessment appointment. There are many fine marriage counselors in Seattle. We want to make sure I’m the right counselor for you.

• Carefully designed sessions that build on prior skills and insights.

• 6 couples sessions and 6 individual sessions that last 1 hour and 15 minutes each. Accomplish more than a traditional 50-minute counseling session allows.

• Homework assignments to accompany each session. You work as hard at home as you do in my office.

• A 40-page workbook. Take home reading to reinforce discussions. Some couples make a point of keeping the workbook within easy reach long after they finish the program!

• Unlimited phone and email access to me. Get expert advice in real time when you run into roadblocks.

• Investment in your marriage: $665 per month for 3 months for the complete Rock Solid Marriage Program.

Why a structured program?

It’s not that hard to have a positive interaction in a counselor’s office. But to keep it going, you need skills you can take home.

I know from my training experience you learn more effectively when you have a roadmap and skills build on each other. A variety of learning methods helps, too-reading, listening, discussing, practicing and receiving coaching. And a lot of learning is simply remembering. Structure gives you more memory hooks.

Does this sound intensive? It is. If your marriage is not your top priority right now, this program is not for you. If it is, I will use every tool and resource I have to turn it around.

When you’re ready for your free 30-minute assessment, email or give me a call at 425 822-5202