Relationship Essentials Workshop
When: Tuesdays, 7:00pm-8:30pm (weekly), starting October 15- November 19th, with a break October 29th. Registration closes October 7th to allow adequate scheduling time for the pre-course call.
Where: Bozeman, MT (in person event)
Cost: $475 per relationship
Group size: Limited to 8 relationships
Includes: Five weekly 1.5 hour group meetings, weekly take-home conversations for you and your partner (30 minutes to an hour), two thirty minute video calls with Blair Hensen LCPC pre and post course, and light refreshments each week.
This 5-week workshop is designed to help you and your partner(s) build the skills you need to create a secure functioning relationship. This workshop is for partners who want to work on building relationship skills essential for long-term relationships. Any stage of relationship is welcome to join! There are some couples this is not the right fit for see FAQ’s below for details. This workshop is open to all identities and types of romantic relationships. Personal sharing is NOT required (see FAQ’s below).
Topics Include: attachment, understanding emotions, communication, conflict repair, and creating shared principles and a vision for your relationship.
Check out the FAQ’s below for more info!
FAQs
How do we know if we are the right fit for this workshop?
Who is this program is for: Any ages 21 years old and up! This program is for any partners interested in learning preventative skills and creating a secure and intentional relationship. Ideal for long-term/committed relationships or couples working toward long-term commitment. All backgrounds and intersecting identities are encouraged to join.
Who is it not for: This program is not able to support couples currently dealing with significant relationship distress (divorce, betrayal, addiction, emotional and physical abuse, or severe mental health challenges). Couples counseling is recommended for dealing with significant distress.
Do I need to live in Bozeman, MT to join?
Yes, or within driving distance to attend weekly!
What if we can’t make every week?
We recommend carving out the time the best you can. If you need to miss a week, let us know ahead of time and we will make a plan for sharing the lesson from that missed week. We do offer this course in the Spring and Fall so if you can’t make it work this time, plan on it for next session!
What does the 30 minute call pre/post workshop with Blair include?
During the pre-course call we will discuss your goals for the course, and answer any specific questions you have. During the post-course call we will follow up on any additional questions and give you a chance to provide any feedback you have about the course. The pre-workshop calls will be scheduled for the week of October 7th and the post-workshop calls will be scheduled between November 12th-19th.
Do we need to share about our relationship during this workshop?
Sharing is not required, but questions are encouraged! You will be asked to introduce yourselves and your significant other at the beginning of the course as a way to get to know each other. This course is educational and an opportunity to learn relationship skills. There will be time for questions and if it’s helpful to share a question with context you are of course welcome, and the context is often not necessary.
For instance, a common question I get is when we are in conflict is it sometimes better to walk away for a while than keep trying to resolve the fight? This is such a great question, and no context was needed. Everyone in the group will benefit from learning about this. We will go over this topic in the course, but the quick answer is “it depends”. To answer with more depth, the key is making sure you are both cared for and it may be that the best thing for both of you is to take some time to regulate (deep breathe, move, get outside for a bit), and then come back together to listen and repair. And you will learn ways to work through conflict, so that taking time apart is not your only option.
What will we gain from doing this course?
While it is an investment of time and money, taking the time to learn about ways to strengthen your relationship early on in your partnership can have long-term benefits. When you have the skills to have difficult conversations, co-regulate big emotions, repair conflict, and be able to listen, really listen to each other, it makes all the hurdles life throws us more doable as a strong and secure team.
What will the weekly meetings be like?
Each week there will be a different topic, each topic building on what we learned together the previous week. First, we usually review the at-home exercises and discuss any questions from the prompts from the previous week 10-15 minutes. Then there is usually about 30-45 minutes of education on the weekly topic, 30 minutes of an experiential activity for you and your partner to try, and 10 minutes for questions or review. Some weeks there will be demos/role plays to see the skills in action.
Are there requirements between weekly meetings?
All take home conversations/activities are optional, and of course, they are encouraged. Take home activities are designed to be between 30 minutes to an hour. Some couples spend more time than that because the prompt can lead to additional ideas or conversations.
What’s the difference between this workshop and couple’s counseling/therapy?
Counseling is an opportunity for individualized support to help couples work through specific challenges, mental health diagnoses and goals. This workshop does not treat mental health diagnoses or offer individualized support. If you have additional questions about the differences feel free to reach out!
Why did you change it from 6-weeks to 5-weeks?
Each year, I request feedback after the course and aim to implement changes to improve this course offering. Couples shared the 6-week commitment was worth it in the end, but difficult to commit to at the beginning. I have reorganized the content to offer an initial 5- week offering and a second 4-week deep dive course (launching 2025) that will discuss decision making, how to talk about sex and other hard topics, managing thirds like extended family and work, and more on conflict repair.
If you have additional questions about any of these or more, contact us and we will be happy to connect more!
Past Participant Reflections
“Blair’s online couple’s workshop was fantastic in setting my fiancé and I’s relationship up for success. We loved the group aspect of the course and hearing other couple’s perspective on the topics. I would highly recommend all couples as they transition to the next level of commitment.”
“In the 6-week online course provided by Open Routes Adventures and led by Blair Hensen, my partner and I acquired invaluable communication strategies. The program allowed us to gain insights into each other’s needs, with group sessions offering a safe and supportive space for vulnerability and reflection. Armed with newfound tools and perspectives, we successfully navigated challenges, leading to renewed intimacy, trust, and a shared commitment to nurturing our relationship.”