Hold Me Tight® Couples Workshop
Strengthen emotional connection and intimacy in two days.
The Hold Me Tight® Couples Workshop is a two day, in person experience based on the Hold Me Tight® curriculum created by Dr. Sue Johnson, the developer of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. This workshop is designed to help couples strengthen emotional connection, improve communication, and deepen intimacy by understanding and reshaping attachment patterns and the emotional bond between partners.
Workshop Details
Dates: October 9th and 10th, 2026, Friday and Saturday
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm both days
Location: 191 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas, California
Investment: $1000 per couple
Each day runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. We offer short bio breaks throughout the day and there is a lunch break from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm both days. Couples are encouraged to walk to one of the many nearby restaurants in Encinitas during that time.
An Experiential and Research Based Path to Connection
The Hold Me Tight® Couples Workshop follows the Dr. Sue Johnson’s Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, the core structure of the curriculum. The weekend combines teaching, examples, videos and discussion with private conversations between partners. Playful and experiential exercises are woven throughout the weekend to nurture emotional accessibility, responsiveness, and engagement.
Couples have ample time to work together privately throughout the workshop. They do not share personal details with the group, unless they want to. The focus remains on understanding your bond and strengthening your connection in a contained way.
This workshop is designed for all couples who value their relationship and want to care for it intentionally. Some couples are preparing for marriage and want to ensure a strong foundation. Others have been married for decades and want to deepen what they already share. Many couples are experiencing ongoing distance or conflict in their relationship and are seeking an immersive experience and the opportunity for transformation.
The Seven Conversations of Hold Me Tight®
Conversation One: Recognizing the Demon Dialogues
Couples learn to recognize the negative cycle they get pulled into, and begin to see the pattern as the problem, rather than each other, and work together to do things differently.
Conversation Two: Finding the Raw Spots
Couples explore triggers and sensitivities that get activated during conflict, so their reactions make more sense, and they engage in mutual and reciprocal compassion and understanding.
Conversation Three: Revisiting a Rocky Moment
Couples revisit an experience from their past, and have a conversation about it, with developing skills in place, enabling them to offer more grace, empathy, and care.
Conversation Four: Hold Me Tight
Couples engage in a deep conversation, in which they clearly express fears, needs, and wants, giving them the experience of reaching and responding with presence and connection.
Conversation Five: Forgiving Injuries
Couples work through a challenge point in their relationship, or one from their past, by acknowledging the impact, offering reassurance, and committing to rebuilding trust over time.
Conversation Six: Bonding Through Sex and Touch
Couples deepen their understanding of how emotional connection and physical intimacy are interconnected so eroticism can become mutual, playful, and safe.
Conversation Seven: Keeping Your Love Alive
Couples discover how to strengthen ongoing patterns of responsiveness and repair so their connection stays steady and their love remains alive.
Your Facilitator
The workshop is led by Cristina Trette, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Owner of Integrative Couples Therapy. Cristina has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and extensive experience conducting couples therapy and workshop facilitation. Her facilitation style is warm, honest, and up-lifting. She creates a space where couples can engage deeply.
Flying Into San Diego International Airport
The closest airport is San Diego International Airport (SAN), located about 30 minutes south of Encinitas, San Diego International Airport.
Where to Stay
We are located in Encinitas, just a mile from the beach. Encinitas is a relaxed coastal town in North San Diego County known for its beaches, surf culture, and walkable downtown lined with palms and local shops. With ocean views, yoga studios, and a strong sense of community, it blends laid back living with an active, outdoorsy lifestyle. Many couples, including those living in San Diego, choose to stay at beachside hotels or Airbnbs to give themselves the entire weekend to focus on their relationship. A few favorites include:
Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas – a luxury oceanfront resort just minutes from our office
Surfhouse Boutique Hotel – modern beach lodging steps from the sand
Airbnb – a wide range of cozy, private options close to beaches, cafes, and our office. We recommend finding a location in Encinitas but there are many near by towns that you will enjoy
Reserve Your Spot
Advance registration is required to support a small and connected group experience. If you have questions about whether the Hold Me Tight® Couples Workshop is right for you, our team is happy to help. You can contact us and schedule a consultation with Cristina Trette to learn more.
Register Now
If you are ready to register now, click here. Or, contact us and our Care Coordinator can answer your questions and help you get started.