Relationship Guide: Tools for Greater Communication and Connection

When you want to strengthen relationships, therapy is not the only starting point. Sometimes having a space to learn, reflect, and build foundational skills is what’s needed. The Relationship Guide offers a structured, educational experience designed to help you understand your patterns, improve communication, and connect with intention. This program blends teaching, guided exercises, and reflection to help you create lasting change. You can attend on your own or with your partner. .

Led and developed by Marissa Massimini, LMFT, this course draws from Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) and attachment science to help you move from reactive patterns to secure connection.

Why Join Relationship Guide?

This course is ideal if:

• You feel stuck in recurring conflict or disconnection

• You are beginning couples therapy and want to build skills outside of therapy

• You want tools to understand and regulate your emotions

• You are currently in therapy and want additional support in between sessions

• You want to learn the science behind relationships and apply it

• You’re ready to bring awareness, compassion, and confidence back to your relationship

Each week blends teaching, reflection, and practice. You’ll walk away with greater understanding of your relationship dynamics and concrete tools to reconnect.

About Marissa Massimini, LMFT

Marissa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a deep passion for helping individuals and couples strengthen their relationships. She is part of the Integrative Couples Therapy team in Encinitas, California, and her work is grounded in attachment theory and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, an evidence based approach that helps couples move from conflict to closeness.

Marissa believes that caring for our relationships is one of the most important ways to care for ourselves. She creates a warm, accessible learning environment that invites curiosity, self-awareness, and growth.

Course Overview

Over six weeks, you will explore the science and skills of healthy relationships through teaching, discussion, and guided exercises. You can attend all sessions or just the ones that fit your schedule.

Week 1 – The Negative Cycle: A New Way to Understand Conflict, January 28, 2026
Recognize the repetitive patterns that block connection and learn how to shift from blame to collaboration.

Week 2 – Attachment Theory: Understanding Anxious Attachment, February 4, 2026
Explore how attachment styles shape communication and emotional needs.

Week 3 – Attachment Theory: Understanding Avoidant Attachment, February 11, 2026
Identify avoidant patterns and learn how to stay engaged when emotions feel overwhelming.

Week 4 – Exploring Emotional Triggers, February 18, 2026
Understand the roots of reactivity and build tools to stay grounded and connected during conflict.

Week 5 – Active Listening: How to Really Hear Each Other, February 25, 2026
Practice listening to understand, not to defend. Develop empathy and emotional attunement.

Week 6 – Foundations of Clear Communication, March 4, 2026
Learn to express needs and boundaries with honesty, compassion, and clarity.

Structure of the Program

The Relationship Guide group takes place virtually over six consecutive weeks via Zoom. You can attend all sessions or drop in.

Day and Time: January 28 through March 4, 2026. Wednesdays, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Pacific Time)

Location: Virtual on Zoom

Cost: $195 for the full six session series, $40 per session drop in, per person

Important Note: This is an educational course, and is not therapy.

Each live session includes guided teaching, exercises, and space for group reflection. Between sessions, you’ll apply what you learn at home.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

• Identify your negative cycle and see it as the problem (instead of you or your partner)

• Recognize your own attachment needs and emotions and why you react or respond the way you do

• Practice pausing before reacting and choosing new ways to respond

• Build empathy and safety through listening and validation

• Communicate with greater clarity, compassion, and confidence

• Draw from a range of relationship and emotional regulation skills

Next Steps

If you’re ready for better relationships and more connection, this course offers a clear path forward. To learn more or reserve your spot, email info@integrativecouplestherapy.com.