This program is based on the research of Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Gottman, who have dedicated the past four decades to developing what they call The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. These principles are grounded in what works for actual couples in realistic dynamics to have happy and healthy marriages, and not on idealistic notions of what a “good relationship” should look like.

These principles are grounded in evidence based research, meaning they were tested and the results are able to be replicated. The workshop thus follows the same time frame (total of 12 hours) and curriculum utilized in the Gottman’s research in order to encourage the best results possible.

This workshop is appropriate for couples of all ages and sexual orientations. The relationship skills it offers will benefit couples who are:

  • Engaged
  • Contemplating marriage
  •  Newlyweds
  •  Couples who are parents
  • Empty-nesters
  • Couples who have been together for a lifetime but desire to deepen and enhance their relationship. 

The main goal of The Seven Principles Couples Program is to help couples strengthen their relationships in a variety of ways including deepening their love maps, solving fondness and admiration, facilitating ‘turning toward each other’, accepting influence, solving problems, overcoming gridlock, creating shared meaning, and maintaining gains.

Couples will leave with a deeper understanding of their relationship as well as a roadmap of the steps they will take together to reach their goals as a duo. All couples in a committed relationship can benefit from taking this time to strengthen their bond. If your relationship is strong, you will find tools to continually foster closeness, friendship and trust. If your relationship is fractured, you will gain deeper insight and discover the path to repair and strengthen your bond. In both the workshops and retreats, all work is conducted as a couple without any group discussion or disclosure of personal details so you can feel completely free to dive deep and be open with your partner.

The program has proven effective in improving marriages or providing couples with the tools they need to prevent future relationship problems in a shorter timeframe compared to marriage counseling. The workshop setting is an encouraging place to work on one’s relationship as it is in a space where other couples are doing the same thing. Some couples feel that a workshops is less intimidating than private couples-therapy sessions. While The Seven Principles Couples Program is not a substitute for therapy, it can soften the entry into seeking help to work on a relationship, without the stigma that some still have toward therapy.

Some couples feel uncertainty or hesitation when it comes to working on their marriage on their own because there are often no clearly defined goals, expectations, structure or duration. The 7 Principles Program, on the other hand, removes these barriers by providing clearly articulated goals, structure and a set timeframe. This format encourages both partners to focus on improving the relationship rather than one partner alone.

Classes offered in our workshops are psycho-educational in nature, as such they are not appropriate for all couples, including those with severe distress, significant emotional or physical abuse, serious emotional or mental health problems, relationships where both partners are actively addicted to drugs or alcohol, and relationships with serious compulsive behavior with gambling, sexual acting out, and other disruptive behaviors.

Workshops and Destination Retreats

The 7 Principles For Making Marriage Work program is offered in two formats: 

Miami Workshops

Our Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work Workshop takes place in our Miami office in a small group setting and consists of lectures, exercises, and short videos. This workshop was structured on a 12-hours delivery format which is broken up into two six-hour days. On each of the days, a 15-minute break is provided at every 1.5-hour mark, and there is a one hour break provided for lunch.

  • During interactive exercises, couples will be asked to leave the room in order to perform the short 10 minutes-exercise.
  • Couples will not be asked to disclose any personal information or to share the outcome of their exercise with others.
  • 10 to 15 minutes of homework involving an exercise for the couple to practice at home is encouraged for couples to get the most out of the workshop.
  • Attendees will be provided with all required materials as well as lunch and snacks which will consist of hot coffee, tea, soda, water, sandwiches, salads, fruit, cookies, and chips. If you have special dietary needs, please contact us before you register for the workshop.  
  • It is recommended that you dress in layers to insure that you will be comfortable in the temperature of the room.
  • No guests or children are permitted in the workshop. Couples who bring their children with them will not be permitted to attend the workshop, and will not be eligible for a refund.
  • Street parking and public parking garages are available nearby.

Destination Couples Retreats

The Couples Retreats are where real healing happens, and where couples are guided as they rediscover their passion and admiration for one another, in a peaceful and beautiful setting, without the distractions and stressors of everyday life. The retreats offer the same proven methods and material as the workshops  but instead of going back to daily life at the end of each session, couples have an opportunity to remain disconnected from the rest of the world, as they reconnect with each other.

Retreats are currently offered in Belize, Panama and Miami. Couples are encouraged to stay in the same hotel where the workshop will be conducted.

The format of destination retreats will consist of three four-hours days.  Lunch, afternoon snacks and coffee will be provided to participants.  Breakfast and dinner will not be provided.  

The typical workshop day consists of lectures, exercises, and short videos. A 15-minutes break is provided every 1.5 hours, as well as 1 hour for lunch.  Each day begins at 10AM and ends at 3PM.  After such time couples are free to explore the area on their own.

  • Couples will be encouraged to complete a 10-15 minute exercise in their free time, in order to get the most benefit from this experience.
  • Couples will not be asked to disclose any personal information or to share the outcome of their exercise with others.
  • Attendees will be provided with all materials required, however, you are encouraged to bring a notebook for notes.
  • Couples are encouraged to schedule their arrival one day before the workshop, and to stay an extra day in order to have a full day to explore the beautiful location.
  •  Typically, visas are required for these destinations, and it is recommended that you leave yourself plenty of time to acquire your visa.
  • Airfare is not included in the cost of the retreat and will be the responsibility of the attendees.