Since 2010, Dr. Lisa Blum and Dr. Silvina Irwin have hosted transformative weekend workshops for couples in beautiful retreat locations. Several hundred couples have participated in this workshop over the years, and the feedback is consistently and strongly positive: 100% of participants would recommend the program to a close friend or family member.

The next Sex, Intimacy, Desire and Connection: Your Whole Relationship Workshop will be held November 1-3, 2024 in Temecula, CA.

We currently (as of mid-September) have 2 spots left. Registration will pause after we have reached full capacity. However, we will still be taking names for a wait list, and we usually do get 1 - 2 additional spots opening up. Please email to info@drlisablum.com to express interest in the waitlist. To learn more about the workshop, click below:

The next Hold Me Tight Workshop will be held November 8-10, 2024 in Glendale/La Crescenta, CA.

Registration is now open! Please learn more about the workshop by clicking below:

Hold Me Tight® Workshop for Couples

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.

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 arguments 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

Coming soon: Hold Me Tight® for Newlyweds, Newly Engaged, and Those Thinking About It

Hold Me Tight® Is a Registered Trademark to Sue Johnson

Sex, Intimacy, Desire and Connection: Your Whole Relationship

Sex, Intimacy, Desire and Connection: Your Whole Relationship is our next-step workshop that takes couples into an exploration of their sexual relationship to re-inspire desire and strengthen physical connection.

In this workshop, you will:

• Create the necessary safety in your relationship to have sensitive conversations around sex

• Make sense of the sexual disconnection between you and patterns that keep you disconnected

• Experience a variety of exercises in private -- talking, breathing, safe touch, nonverbal attunement, writing, imagery.

• Learn about your own and your partner's sexuality and desire, and how to enhance or restart touch and sensuality.

• Explore ways to deepen emotional intimacy as a pathway to sexual connection

• Learn a map for healing relational injuries that block sexual connection

• Discover together how you both want to construct a fulfilling, meaningful, rewarding, and pleasurable sexual relationship -- in whatever form that takes you.

Drs. Blum and Irwin are experienced couples therapists with advanced training and certifications in EFT. Though they have advanced training and education in sex and sexuality, they are not certified sex therapists. Their expertise is in helping couples merge sexuality and physical intimacy into a healthy, safe, loving, and whole relationship.

Do you have questions about our workshops? Check out our Workshop FAQ’s and see if we answer them for you. Feel free to reach out to us for any additional questions you may have!

Customize a workshop for your community

If you would like to host one of these workshops for your church or temple group, parents’ group, an LGBT support group, divorced and remarried group, adoption group, cousins circle, or any other kind of community, our team is happy to customize any of our available workshops to fit the specific needs of your group or community.

Our team members have expertise in topics such as parenting, blended families, interfaith and intercultural relationships, trauma recovery, spirituality and faith, LGBT relationships, premarital counseling, and sexuality. We work with you to tailor a workshop to address your group’s interests. The weekend retreat can be at your site or one of ours, in almost any suitable location (we are happy to travel). The cost remains much the same for our other retreats, except for some travel and design expenses.

We love being creative and are happy to talk to you about any specific needs or focus you may want in the workshop. Contact us to begin the conversation.