How do you hold me tight: an exploration of workshop leaders' adaptations and conceptions of success of an emotionally focused couples psychoeducational program

Since the 1960s, couple relationship educational (CRE) programs have become increasingly popular and offer a viable alternative to therapy by fostering satisfaction and connection between romantic partners in an efficient and less taboo format. Despite the proliferation of couples workshops around the world, limited research exists to help guide therapists in leading the most effective program for their participants as well as in creating a positive experience for themselves. This qualitative study aimed to explore workshop leaders’ conceptions of the program’s success, modifications implemented to the standard protocol, and the personal experiences of facilitating the Hold Me Tight program, a couples workshop based on the evidence-based treatment of emotionally focused couples therapy (EFT). Using a semi-structured interview developed by this author, the study found that overall, helping partners access primary emotions and communicate them to one another effectively is what makes the Hold Me Tight program therapeutic. While this is similar to the stages in EFT treatment, the power of the workshop is derived from the combination of didactic and experiential learning that is enhanced and reinforced by the dynamic of the group. Results also found that the flexibility of the leader and tailoring of the program to its participants was an important factor for success in the workshop. Lastly, workshop leaders concluded that facilitating the Hold Me Tight workshop was personally “nourishing” by increasing love in the world, connecting to colleagues in their field, and improving their own intimate relationships. Taken together, these study findings suggest that the HMT program shows promise as an effective method for helping couples reconnect and foster love in their relationship as well as a personally rewarding experience for the leader. Suggestions for implementing an optimal couples workshop are proposed, and limitations and implications for research are discussed.Psy.D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Simone Cheng Humphre