Hold Me Tight® 
7 Conversations for a Lifetime of Love

November 8 - 10, 2024 | Glendale/La Crescenta, CA

Facilitated by Lisa Blum, PsyD and William Saltzman, PhD

Friday 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Sunday 10:00am - 3:00 pm

(R) Hold Me Tight is a registered trademark to Dr. Sue Johnson.

Workshop Description

Hold Me Tight® is a weekend retreat for nurturing emotional closeness with your partner. This workshop is based on the international best-selling book "Hold Me Tight: 7 Conversations for a Lifetime of Love" by Dr. Sue Johnson. We welcome all couples to join us, and aim to create a space where folks feel welcome in all identities, in all forms of relationship, and all shapes, sizes and abilities.

The educational and experiential workshop introduces core concepts of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, heralded as one of the most effective couples therapies. 

  • Get unstuck from repeating patterns of arguing or silent distancing that cause frustration and pain

  • Make sense of the strong emotions and needs that can surprise both of you in the relationship

  • Begin the process of repairing relationship injuries, even old ones, and understand how to move forward

  • Change how you communicate so you can really open up to each other with your true feelings and wishes

  • Increase feelings of trust and intimacy, playfulness, and fun

  • Learn how to take the great conversations you start at the workshop and keep them going at home

  • Begin to talk about your sexual relationship and ways to continue to address this important aspect of your relationship (A follow-up workshop to address sex and sexuality is available)

*If you are a mental health professional, a complete list of the learning objectives and schedule for this program can be found here.


Fees

Registration includes the workshop fee for two of you, all materials, expert guided assistance during the workshop from therapists and facilitators, with snacks and beverages throughout the weekend, and Sunday lunch included.  Accommodations, Saturday lunch, and dinners are arranged on your own. If you are traveling from out of town, we strongly recommend booking your stay at a nearby hotel of your choice.  It is best to book a place in Glendale or Pasadena CA, which are close to La Canada, home of the wonderful Descanso Gardens. A list of nearby hotels is available here.

Space is limited and we recommend registering as soon as possible.

Registration Fees for this workshop (does not include lodging) are listed below.

  • Early Bird Registration per couple is $935.00 through September 15, 2024.

  • Regular Registration per couple is $1025.00 through November 6, 2024.

Payment is available through Zelle (preferred), Check, ACH or Credit Card. Registration is only complete when payment is finalized. Locate the “Register” button above or below to begin the registration process.

  • To pay by Zelle (preferred method), send the full registration amount shown upon completion of the registration form Find us on Zelle at: info@eftresourcecenter.com.  Many banks provide easy payment through the bank-to-bank network called Zelle.  If you are unsure if your bank participates, you can check here: https://www.zellepay.com.

  • To pay by check, send the full registration amount shown upon completion of the registration form, made out to the EFT Resource Center, and mail to: Dr. Lisa Blum, EFT Resource Center, 130 S. Euclid Avenue, Suite 8, Pasadena, CA 91101. 

  • If you prefer to pay by ACH or credit card, we will send you an invoice after you have completed the registration form.


COVID Safety

We are asking, on the honor system, that anyone with symptoms which could possibly be COVID not attend the workshop and instead transfer your registration to an alternative workshop.

For the safety of all involved, the following precautions will be taken:

  1. Indoors will be well ventilated with windows and doors open, to the extent possible.

  2. Masks will be provided for those that want them; you are welcome to wear a mask during the workshop.

  3. Disinfecting surfaces will be done throughout the weekend.

  4. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the facility.


Workshop Logistics

LOCATION
La Crescenta Woman’s Club (LCWC)
4004 La Crescenta Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214

The workshop will be held in the spacious meeting rooms of the La Crescenta Woman’s Club, officially in the city of Glendale but also on the border with La Canada/Flintridge, CA .  The workshop is not affiliated with the Woman’s Club, but we do appreciate LCWC’s long history of community-building, philanthropic work. The 1925 historic clubhouse provides a roomy, comfortable, and welcoming space for our weekend workshop, and includes outdoor space for conversations and exercises.

SCHEDULE
The workshop begins Friday afternoon at 1:00, continues for a full day Saturday, and concludes with a mid-day session on Sunday, ending at 3:00. Coffee, tea and water, as well as morning and afternoon snacks are provided. Saturday we take a spacious break for lunch on your own at nearby restaurants, and Sunday lunch is provided.  The workshop does have a full schedule, and the segments build on each other, so attendance at the entirety of the workshop is requested. You may consider whether you and your partner are able to add an extra day either before or after the workshop so you can enjoy your time away in Glendale/La Canada at your leisure.  

About two weeks prior to the workshop, we will send out an email providing you with important details such as the final schedule, parking info, how to prepare, weather and dress, etc.

INTRODUCTORY MEETING
In the week before the workshop we will hold a one hour introduction to the workshop via Zoom.  This meeting will take place on Monday, November 4 from 7:30-8:45 pm via Zoom.  We will introduce ourselves and provide an overview of the key concepts the workshop is based upon, to allow you to dive into the workshop better prepared. The session will be recorded for those who cannot make it so that you can watch it at a time prior to the workshop that is convenient for you.

ACCESSIBILITY
The meeting room for the workshop is accessible.  Please contact us in advance to make us aware of any mobility, diet, or other health-related needs you have.

MEALS & REFRESHMENTS
Your workshop fee includes light refreshments and beverages that will be provided during workshop hours, and a working lunch on Sunday.  Lunch on Saturday and dinners are on your own to be enjoyed at one of the many lovely restaurants in the Glendale/Pasadena area. We strongly recommend making dinner reservations in advance as the most popular restaurants do fill quickly on the weekends.

RECOMMENDED WORKSHOP PREPARATION
In preparation for the workshop, we recommend:

  1. Purchase and begin reading/listening to the book that the workshop is based upon: "Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love" by Dr. Sue Johnson. We have found that couples who have read at least part of the book (the first four chapters is a good start) feel like they are stepping into the workshop with some helpful background, and can dig into the material that much more readily.

  2. Review the pre-workshop video if you were unable to attend the live Zoom meeting.

CONTINUING EDUCATION (FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS)

This is an introductory program that introduces the key concepts of attachment theory as applied to couples’ distress through the lens of Emotionally Focused Therapy. The workshop outlines the Interventions that help couples identify the negative patterns they get stuck in, and the process for finding their way back to meaningful connection, to strengthen and enhance their relationship. The workshop offers opportunities for couples to directly apply the principles of this powerful model of psychotherapy to one’s own relationship.

We are pleased to be able to offer 14 hours of Continuing Education credits for mental health professionals through a partnership with Illuminated Education. Illuminated Education is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Illuminated Education maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Will my state licensing board accept these CE credits? Because each state’s and discipline’s licensing regulations differ and are subject to change, it is the license holder’s responsibility to determine if your licensing board accepts APA approval for continuing education activities. For additional information, please go to the Illuminated Education website at www.illuminateded.com.

CANCELLATION POLICY 
Please read our cancellation policy carefully. Your registration fee is non-refundable, but transferable to a future workshop if you can notify us of your inability to come at least one week before the workshop. There are no transfers of workshop fees for cancellations within 7 calendar days of the workshop. This policy is the most generous that we can offer as we invest significantly in your experience at the workshop with supplies, a team of trained therapists to support you if needed, and meeting space. We aim to give you the most valuable workshop experience with the most support, and your cancellation means loss of our financial investment without chance of recuperation of that investment.

Should you choose to cancel your Hold Me Tight Workshop with us, we cannot be responsible for any costs incurred - including but not limited to airline tickets, rental cars, accommodations, etc. Exceptions will not be made for cancellations due to illness, travel-related delays, or life circumstances. We are aware that there are uncontrollable elements in life, and we strongly recommend Travel Protection Insurance with a registered agent to cover any travel-related risks.

An exception to the cancellation policy will be made if you test positive for COVID or have been directly exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID. If this occurs within 10 days of the start date of the workshop, your registration fee may be transferred without penalty to a future workshop that is offered within the next 12 months.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
More details about the workshop can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions or any special needs, do not hesitate to contact us at info@drlisablum.com so that we can help to make your retreat experience with us most comfortable.

We look forward to seeing you in Glendale/La Crescenta!