Couples Retreat: Building Deeper Connections through Curiosity and Kindness
Inspired by the Gottman Method

Join us for a transformative weekend retreat designed to strengthen the emotional bonds between partners. This retreat will take place from Saturday morning through Sunday evening, offering an immersive experience to foster connection, vulnerability, and growth.

Guided by the principles of the Gottman Method, we’ll explore the foundational elements of successful relationships, with a focus on two key characteristics: curiosity and kindness. Through workshops, guided discussions, and experiential exercises, couples will learn practical tools to communicate more effectively, resolve conflict with empathy, and cultivate deeper intimacy.

Special Session: Enhanced Couples Connection

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your relationship, heal old wounds, or simply deepen your emotional connection, this retreat offers the tools, space, and guidance to help you thrive as a couple.

Couples Retreat Agenda

Deepening Connection and Vulnerability

Registration and settle-in
Light refreshments and introductions
Overview of retreat goals and schedule

Opening Session – Foundations of Emotional Connection

Introduction to the Gottman Method and its relationship principles
Focus on curiosity and kindness: The foundation of healthy communication
Guided couples exercises on active listening and emotional attunement

Lunch Break

Light, nutritious meals served
Time to relax and informally connect

Plant Medication Enhanced Couples Session

Guided session incorporating plant medicine to deepen vulnerability and emotional connection
Facilitated emotional exploration and partner sharing
Gentle grounding exercises to support the experience

Break

Quiet time for reflection or reconnecting with nature

Integration Session with Sensate Focus

Introduction to sensate focus as a tool for non-verbal emotional intimacy
Guided sensate focus exercises focusing on mindful, non-demand touch to enhance emotional safety and trust
Group discussion on how physical touch can reinforce emotional connection

Evening Reflection and Wrap-up

Group debrief on day one’s experience
Guided meditation to wind down and prepare for the next day

Strengthening Emotional Intimacy

Morning Check-in and Reflection

Light breakfast
Recap of previous day’s experiences and setting intentions for day two

Conflict Resolution and Communication Skills

Exploring Gottman’s “Four Horsemen” and their antidotes
Role-playing exercises for effective conflict resolution
Breakout groups for shared reflection

Lunch Break

Light, restorative meals served
Time to relax and connect

Deepening Emotional Intimacy with Sensate Focus

Continuation of sensate focus exercises, building on Saturday’s experience
Exploring the emotional and physical dimensions of touch in cultivating connection and curiosity
Reflection on how partners can integrate sensate focus into their daily lives

Break

Mindfulness or movement exercises to re-center

Cultivating Lifelong Curiosity and Kindness

Practical tools for maintaining emotional intimacy post-retreat
Gottman-based strategies for continuous relationship growth
Closing partner activity: Expressing gratitude and setting shared intentions

Sunday

Designing Your Relationship Roadmap

Creating Personalized Rituals: Couples design small, intentional daily/weekly rituals to sustain connection (e.g., a weekly check-in, a gratitude practice, mindful touch rituals).
Love Map Check-In: Revisit and update each other’s emotional "Love Maps" (future dreams, stressors, and evolving needs).
Crafting a Relationship Agreement: Partners outline mutual commitments for continued growth, including communication strategies, conflict resolution techniques, and intimacy-building practices.

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Closing Ceremony & Final Reflection

Guided visualization: Envisioning a thriving future together
Gratitude exchange: Partners write and read short notes of appreciation for each other
Group closing: A final moment of connection and encouragement from facilitators