Improve your marriage in two days,
or your money back…

Discover proven secrets to breathe new life into your relationship at my couple intensive retreat.

From my heart to yours:

I’m sitting at my desk right now to write to you about my couple intensive retreat. I am searching for a way to convey the power of these weekends to you, someone I have never met. A way to help you understand the benefits that can be yours in such a short time.

You might be wanting a far more loving relationship, yet not be sure how to get there.

You might be wondering if attending a couples intensive retreat can truly help you.

You might want to resolve disagreements more successfully.

I remember 25 years ago when my wife Ellyn and I were a struggling couple. We could get into arguments over silly issues like which movie to rent from Blockbuster. If only they had stayed that small or that few. We hit bigger speed bumps -- clutter, parenting, together vs. separate time, defensive finger pointing communication.

Intensive retreats and workshops were the last thing I thought could help us. After all, I certainly didn't want to spill my guts to a room full of strangers.

And I thought our problems were too complex to improve in just two days at a couples intensive retreat.

Since Ellyn’s idea of a retreat was different from mine, I let her cajole me into attending. She had researched this type of framework for her doctoral dissertation and she was a true believer.

After we attended, I was amazed by how much progress we made in one weekend. Within just a few years I began running retreats myself. Now that I’m presenting couple intensive retreats, I find they’re a tremendous gift and a valuable tool for couples at all stages of their relationship.

It’s great if you can go to a retreat in your younger days before things get too difficult.

But a couple intensive retreat is for everyone, at any stage of their life or their marriage. Most of us don’t learn skills to negotiate or resolve conflict successfully with our partners. Even divorcing partners have been glad they decided to attend my couples workshop.

Communication is important, but it's a limited relationship skill. Couples need far more than just effective communication. This is why “Active Listening” and “I-messages” are OK, but why couples can practice them and still realize nothing fundamental is different.

Flourishing relationships actually require a pyramid of skills. Communication is oversold as a remedy for difficult problems. It is only one part of the pyramid. In this retreat you will get the entire foundation of skills to create the relationship you desire.

Come as a couple and I will teach you how to manage tense discussions, how to collaborate more successfully as a team, how to apologize effectively when you blow it and how to differ without having nasty arguments. I will teach you retreat skills that you will continue using long after the workshop ends.

Once you experience the couple intensive retreat, you can bring what you learn home with you and continue building on it.

I want to acknowledge that for some it takes bravery or a leap of faith to attend a couple intensive retreat. For others it’s hard to admit that things aren’t right at home.

I won’t hold myself apart from you. I will tell you about when I was passive-aggressive. I will tell you how Ellyn and I struggled and overcame the problem of mess and clutter. And I will give you skills to tackle your own unique challenges. I want you to be able to turn your problems around and bring out the best in one another.

I know you can do it. I’ve done it myself and I’ve helped hundreds of others improve their relationships beyond their dreams at my couple intensive retreats. The next couple intensive retreat will be my 65th one.

You will feel much better when you discover that you are not alone with your challenges and when you get encouragement, skills and the practical support that we offer at our couple intensive retreat. It’s just what you need to turn things around.

* * * * * * * * * *

What’s working or not working for you?

Have you been married a while, and recognize some negative habits you’d like to change?

Are you dealing with the complexities of a second or third marriage, and determined to make this one work?

Are you frustrated with your current approach to disagreements?

Many partners are stuck in negative cycles they want to change, but don’t know how.

It’s impossible to deal day after day with a passive-aggressive man.

Or how about controlling behavior from your wife? What about when the man you married—and trusted—lies to you? Or your wife nags incessantly—that sure wrings the romance out of your life.

You imagined marriage would be better than this? You’re not alone. Lots of couples report that life’s okay, but they want more passion and excitement.

Others yearn for more balance and peace.

Whether things are really bad, (you’re sleeping on the couch and contemplating divorce) or you simply want to make a good thing better, you’ll feel renewed after this amazing couple intensive retreat. It’s called “Coming From Your Heart.”

I am Dr. Peter Pearson, Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Couples Institute with my wife, Dr. Ellyn Bader. For over 20 years we have been helping couples build stronger relationships.

Ellyn and I are recognized worldwide for our pioneering work
in marriage counseling and couples therapy.

The textbook we wrote on Couples Therapy is in its 15th printing and still going strong.

But that’s not all. Ellyn says, “Pete’s brilliance runs deeper than his Ph.D. It comes from personal experience and practice in our own marriage, and from his results with the thousands of couples he’s counseled.

I continue to admire and respect the way he reaches out to partners in his couple intensive retreats.”

She adds, “He shares stories from our own marriage with disarming honesty. He is a lively speaker, a touching story-teller, and a teacher who entertains as he delivers life-changing lessons.”

You’ll learn how to improve your relationship

At this couple intensive retreat, “Coming From Your Heart,” you and your partner will learn the latest proven techniques to repair, renew, and restore your relationship.

You’ll see demonstrations of other couples resolving tough issues, you will learn about the predictable evolution of couples’ relationships, and you will develop new skills to manage negative feelings so you can re-energize your relationship.

You get to practice with a therapist there to help you

At this marriage retreat you’ll be able to practice your new skills with a professional therapist, who will help you get unstuck, and keep you on a positive track.

To ensure your progress, we have a ratio of one therapist for every two couples participating. That’s more professionals than any couples workshop or marriage retreat I’ve ever heard of.

So whenever we break into very small groups for practice, you have the benefit of a trained professional there to help you. The unique format of this workshop provides considerable privacy.

Here is what some participants have said about our
Northern California Couple Intensive Retreat:

This couple intensive retreat is a weekend devoted to keeping love, passion, and respect in your marriage or long-term relationship. It’s a special chance for you and your partner to breathe new life into your relationship.

You really can overcome many relationship challenges, and restore and renew your love for one another. If you join me at this workshop, you and your partner will learn how to:

• Express yourself with focused clarity;
• Collaborate as a team;
• Disagree without nasty arguments;
• Negotiate tough problems without defensiveness with each other;
• Bring out the best in each other;
• Reduce stress;
• Ask questions that unite instead of divide ;
• Create rapid relationship repair s ;
• Stay in alignment with how you aspire to be as an effective partner;
• Put all these skills together to create an emotionally and psychologically safe relationship. When you feel safe, it is easier to disagree and support individual differences.

The next retreat takes place February 27-28, 2010. The location is Network Meeting Center in Santa Clara, California. We’ll work together from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday, and from 9 to 4 on Sunday.

Couples often fly in for a long weekend and make it the ultimate
couples renewal getaway.

The fee for this couples workshop is only $697 per couple. That’s quite a value when you think of the personalized attention you receive and what you are going to accomplish. It even comes with a…

No Risk Guarantee.

Here’s my promise. If after the first day you believe that you are not learning more effective ways of being together, we will gladly refund your registration fee.

Register online, by phone, or by fax for the Couples Intensive Retreat

Now’s the time to improve your marriage or long term relationship. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Statistics say that some couples wait six years too long and then it is too late. Register online now . . . All it takes is a $100 deposit to secure your reservation.

You can also register by telephone. Call 650-327-5915 or toll free 877-327-5915. Or contact my office by email at admin@couplesinstitute.com and we will help you with your registration.

Regards,

Peter T. Pearson, Ph.D.
Co-Founder and Co-Director, The Couples Institute

P.S. Please register now. I hate turning away desperate couples who wait too long to sign up. This workshop is only offered 3 times a year, and if you miss this chance you won’t get another one soon.

LOOK WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS SAY:

"I learned about exceptional teamwork as an Army Ranger. This weekend, I learned how to create a successful team with my partner."

~Logan Sanders

“(We) learned tools to stop repetitive arguments and get fresh perspectives that are cooperative instead of blameful.”

~Adrienne Wong

“We discovered deeper understanding leads to change without bitterness.”

~Amy Solanas

“I wholeheartedly recommend this workshop whether you are just starting a relationship or you’ve been married for 50 years.”

~Nanci Fox Banman

“Peter and the other therapists were sincere, authentic, and trustworthy…The hands-on practice really drove it home.”

~Renee Dalovisio

“I learned tools that have helped deepen, strengthen, and heal my relationship…I understand my partner in a whole new way.”

~Tammie Perry

“I can now remain calm during tough talks. We should all learn these skills in kindergarten!”

~Mary Jean Jones

“I was nervous about going to the workshop, but it turned out to be a safe place to discuss sensitive topics.”

~Scot Granger

“The work this weekend helped us to get ‘unstuck.’ As a result, I feel deep movement in myself and a willingness to be different with my partner.”

~Lynn Keener

“My partner and I are so impressed with each other’s ability to work with this method. The results are very fulfilling.”

~Claire Owens

“I now feel we have a great opportunity to create an incredible relationship. I really do not see how a couple could be effective without learning these techniques!”

~David Owens

“This workshop has affected my entire paradigm in not only my intimate relationship, but in other significant relationships as well.”

~Andrea Harrison

“Peter creates an environment in which I could safely open my mind, mouth, and heart to give and receive some of the unspoken communications which were barriers to intimacy with my husband.”

~Serena Lucchesi

"We knew there was a better way, and now we found it. Thank you."

~Dan Scamara

"I can now be the person I want to be when discussing an emotionally loaded issue with my husband. The impact has been enormous."

~Kathie Christie

"This workshop is invaluable in reducing the defensive nature of our previous discussions. The fear I felt when bringing up challenging issues with my partner has been drastically reduced."

~Rick G.

“The workshop is not scary, and no one forces you to say anything you don’t want to. If you care about your relationship, this workshop is well worth the effort!”

~ Heather Nordstrum

"The workshop created a bond between the two of us that we didn't have before--we now have a friendship that I have always wanted."

~Jason Muth

"I now feel more capable in the face of conflict--without Valium even! I wish I'd been open to going to this workshop years ago."

~Jocelyn Parker

“Take it, take it, take it. This workshop should be required by law for every couple!”

~Michael Osbourne

“These methods have allowed me to handle stressful situations in our relationship that I would have avoided in the past.”

~Amy Fox

“I learned some amazing communication techniques that I can use not only with my wife, but anyone I know.”

~Anthony Jones

“I have found a whole new freedom with my husband.”

~Ellen Hubler

“I am amazed at how much I learned and grew at this workshop. I appreciate my partner in a whole new way.”

~Tammie Perry

“I gained clarity as to why unhealthy patterns have repeated in our relationship, and why our challenges had remained unresolved. Since I learned the method to diffuse emotional defensiveness during difficult conversations, our communication has become much more productive.”

~Greg Dyal

“The tools that I learned are so powerful, rich, and cutting edge. It brings me hope for couples everywhere!”

~Deb Frost

“Even though we had attended this workshop before, I am impressed at how much I learned. The workshop was even better the second time!”

~Jill K.

“I had three dozen other things I wanted to do that weekend, plus a fever! But I’m glad I went.”

~Bill Grizard

“The work my partner and I did was transforming…a real gift to ourselves and our relationship.”

~Jann Turner

“I came to the workshop feeling so much pain, anger, resentment, and sadness. I left the workshop feeling hope and healing in my heart.”

~Anna Brown

“This workshop has a remarkable upside and absolutely no downside. The relationship with my partner has grown tremendously.”

~Mitch Zimmerman

“Being with other couples makes for a surprisingly supportive and safe environment. With new tools we can work out difficult issues and end with a hug instead of yelling.”

~Liz Tercell