Wednesdays at 12:00 PM ET until 1:00 PM ET, starting February 25, 2026 - 8 weekly sessions via ZOOM
Join us for a practical, engaging Lunch & Learn designed to fit into your workday while investing meaningfully in your relationship. This eight-session couples workshop facilitated by experienced couples counselors Amy Begnal, LPC, and Dr. Deborah Grodzicki, leads participants through The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, the internationally respected research and practice model developed by Dr. John Gottman. Through a blend of educational content, demonstrations, and partner exercises, couples gain real-world tools to immediately strengthen their relationship.
What You’ll Get Out of the Workshop:
Participants will learn and practice research-backed skills shown to improve relational connection, deepen intimacy, and enhance overall relationship satisfaction.
Topics and outcomes include:
Strengthen Your Connection:
Deepen friendship and emotional closeness with your partner
Build a stronger foundation of affection, admiration, and respect
Expand your understanding of each other’s inner world and needs
Improve Communication
Learn clear, effective communication strategies that help you truly hear each other
Practice skills to turn toward your partner instead of away in daily interactions
Manage Conflict Constructively
Distinguish solvable vs. perpetual problems and approach each more effectively
Learn how to keep discussions calm and productive rather than confrontational
Discover techniques to break through gridlock and understand underlying dreams or values
Create Shared Meaning & Purpose
Work together to create shared rituals, goals, and a sense of meaning in your life as a couple
Build skills that empower your relationship to thrive — together.
Interactive & Supportive:
Each session includes practical exercises for you and your partner to work on together privately in breakout activities, plus opportunities to ask questions and apply concepts to your unique relationship.
Who This Workshop Is For:
Couples at any stage — engaged, newlyweds, long-term partners, or those seeking to enrich an already healthy relationship.
Investment:
$495 per couple plus required workshop materials starting at $15 (see below for more details)
How to Join:
Pre-registration is required. Upon registering, you’ll receive Zoom access details. Materials should be ordered from Gottman.com (see below). Couples should plan to attend all eight sessions to gain the most benefit from the curriculum.
Workshop Materials:
✅ Required
These materials are necessary to fully participate in the workshop.
The Seven Principles Couples Guide: https://www.gottman.com/product/the-seven-principles-for-making-marriage-work-couples-guide/ Couples may purchase one shared guide or one guide per partner (one per partner is recommended for the best experience).
⭐ Strongly Encouraged
These materials are not required but will significantly enhance learning, discussion, and at-home practice.
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work (book): https://www.gottman.com/product/the-seven-principles-for-making-marriage-work/ Provides helpful context and deeper understanding of the concepts practiced in the workshop.
The Seven Principles Couples Set: https://www.gottman.com/product/seven-principles-couples-set/Includes:
Two Couples Guides
One copy of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
Love Maps card deck
Open-Ended Questions card deck
This set offers the most comprehensive experience and supports continued practice beyond the workshop.
💡 Optional (Nice to Have)
Physical Love Maps and/or Open-Ended Questions card decks (available digitally *for free* via the app store)
Workshop FAQs
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No. This workshop is relationship education, not therapy. It follows the structured Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work curriculum and focuses on learning and practicing skills together in a supportive group setting.
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Yes—attendance at all sessions is strongly recommended. Each week builds on the previous one, and consistent participation leads to the greatest benefit.
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You’ll need at least one copy of the Seven Principles Couples Guide to participate. Couples may share a single guide or purchase one per partner (recommended).
The book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work and the Couples Set are strongly encouraged, but not required. -
No. Reading the book is not required to participate. The workshop is designed so couples can learn and practice the skills during each session. The book simply provides additional depth for those who want it.
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No. Partner exercises are completed privately in breakout rooms. Group sharing is optional and focused on learning, not personal disclosure.
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That’s very common. The workshop is designed to be approachable and practical, even if partners start at different levels of enthusiasm.
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Because this is a live, interactive workshop, sessions are not interchangeable. Couples are encouraged to plan ahead to attend all eight sessions. If a session must be missed, facilitators will provide guidance on how to stay aligned with the curriculum when possible. Recordings will not be provided in order to protect participant’s privacy.
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Any private, quiet location where you can speak freely together - home, office, or another secure space. Headphones are recommended for privacy.
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Each session includes:
Brief teaching on one of the Seven Principles
Real-world examples and demonstrations
Guided partner exercises to practice the skills together
Time for questions and reflection
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The workshop is facilitated by Amy Begnal, LPC, and Dr. Deborah Grodzicki, experienced couples counselors trained in The Gottman Method and Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work curriculum.
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This workshop may be a good fit for you if:
✅ You want practical, research-based tools to strengthen your relationship
✅ You prefer a structured, skills-focused approach rather than open-ended discussion
✅ You’re able to attend weekly Lunch & Learn sessions during the workday
✅ You want to practice skills together, not just listen to information
✅ Your relationship is stable enough to work on communication and connection in a group learning settingThis workshop may not be the best fit right now if:
⚠️ Your relationship is currently in crisis (e.g., active infidelity, separation decisions, or high-conflict safety concerns)
⚠️ You are seeking individual or couples therapy for acute mental health or relationship distress
⚠️ One partner is unwilling to participate at allIf you’re unsure whether this workshop is appropriate for your situation, we encourage you to reach out to the facilitators before registering.