A Workshop of Connection for your Relationship

October 18-19, 2025

9:00-6:00 p.m.

United College, University of Waterloo, Ontario

based on

Hold Me Tight:  Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love

by Dr. Sue Johnson

(From a Reluctant Male Participant): “I would love to see a 3 or 4 day workshop!…”

“Having time to focus and commit only to this process was such a gift to each other and our marriage. We were finally able to put down our fears and defences and really “see” and understand each other and finally “feel” our connection together. We really chose each other again. I feel like we should renew our vows as I would 100% choose to marry him again.”

“Definitely hard to put into words, but mainly that there’s so much I didn’t know about how everything in a relationship is connected with a traceable attachment, etc. I/we have read books, articles, went to individual and couples therapy, etc. but none of them broke everything down to the core the way Hold Me Tight did.”

I will be telling all of my adult children that it would help them BEFORE things get out of hand! Thank you again. You have given me so much hope. I am leaving here SO SO HAPPY! 

Where?

United College, University of Waterloo

190 Westmount Rd N, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G5

Who Should Participate?

• young, middle aged and older couples
• couples early in relationship
• couples in long term relationship
• couples in second marriages/blended families
• same-sex couples
• couples in therapy or never in therapy
• a single person who wants relationship education!

What Will Happen?

• Presentations to the group and DVD’s of three Canadian couples with Dr. Sue Johnson, founder of EFT,  alternating with Seven Private “Conversations” with your partner (therapists available as needed)
• Discover the “dance” that keeps you locked in unhappiness and distress
• Experience new conversations and the ability to repair and reconnect, repair hurt feelings, take down the walls of self-protection
• You’ll discover the art and science of staying in love is quite simple once you have a reliable road map
• learn how to stay available, responsible and emotionally engaged, the A.R.E. of safe and lasting connection
• Contribution to the group sessions welcome but not required
• Go to Podcast about a “Hold Me Tight” couples retreat  (Click to peek into what happens at a retreat!) …Dr. Michelle Gannon and Dr. Sam Jinich, California EFT therapists)
• A cost effective and focused way of working on your relationship as thousands of others are doing throughout North America and abroad (a gift to your relationship!)

Cost

• $875.00 CDN per couple – pay $150 deposit to hold your spot (e-transfer to freshbeginningsforcouples@gmail.com) upon registration
• Early bird $800.00 before September 1, 2025
• Covered by most insurance/benefit plans

Full payment due September 15, 2025

Consider an economical choice for accommodation:

https://uwaterloo.ca/united-college/guest-rooms-conferences/guest-rooms

• (16 hours of Relationship Nurturing!)
• all workshop materials/professional support
• Please note: Cancellation more than 3 weeks prior 50% refund/Cancellation less than 3 weeks prior $100 refund/Cancellation less than 1 week prior no refund

Facilitator:

Mary Luard   MSW,  RSW,  RP

ICEEFT Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist and Supervisor

519-500-4268
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To read comments from couples who experienced HMT Retreats 2015-2024:

freshbeginningsforcouples.net/hold-me-tight-couples-retreat-comments-by-participants

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Why EFT?

The effectiveness of Emotionally-Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) has been demonstrated in over 25 years of peer-reviewed clinical research. Its outstanding success has been heralded in many scientific journals, professional magazines and media such as the New York Times and Psychology Today.

The focus of EFT is to help partners to understand more clearly each other’s deepest emotions. Feelings are often hidden, unexpressed or misunderstood. Our relationships can be a cause of stress and pain or a source of comfort and joy.  In EFT, we help couples learn how to deal with their feelings together, reach towards each other, and be responsive in more loving and positive ways.  

The GREAT news is that we are now bringing the EFT model to you in our Hold Me Tight Couples Weekend Workshop that will be Effective, Safe, Supportive, and Validating. Most importantly, the weekend will be Positive, Proactive and FUN!  The tools you learn will continue to serve your relationship long after this weekend.

“Romantic love is all about attachment and emotional bonding. It is all about our wired-in need to have someone to depend on, a loved one who can offer reliable emotional connection and comfort. Love is not the icing on the cake of life. It is a basic primary need, like oxygen or water. Once we understand and accept this, we  can more easily get to the heart of relationship problems.”  (Sue Johnson, Hold Me Tight)

(Hold Me Tight® is a registered trademark to Sue Johnson)

Registration:

Fresh Beginnings for Couples © 2014