Learn how to create closeness and bring out the best in each other during today's stressful times. Hold Me Tight: A Couples  Relationship Enrichment Class Proven techniques to help couples learn how to repair, enhance, and continually grow their love relationship. Facilitated by Lou Orsan, MFA Weekend Workshop: Saturday and Sunday, February 18th and 19th, 2012 9:00 am to 5:00 pm  $280 per couple Location: AMA Classroom, Bellevue Hold Me Tight Couples Refresher Class (For couples who have completed the HMT workshop) (Date to be announced) 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, $190 per couple Location: AMA Classroom, Bellevue With all of the stressors of today's world, it's even more important for a couple's most important relationship to be their source for strength and comforting. However, too much stress can result in one or both partners feeling emotionally overwhelmed and disconnected. The closeness they once had changes into a painful pattern of relating - negative words, feelings and actions - that takes over their relationship. Without consciously planning to, each partner triggers the other with blaming, criticizing, demanding or defending, avoiding and withdrawing behaviors which escalate into frequent arguments and hurt feelings. Underneath their surface anger lie deeper feelings of anxiety, rejection and abandonment. Partners begin to feel disconnected and vulnerable. They no longer feel safe to engage emotionally with each other for fear of being hurt by their partner's negative responses. Each partner is left with resentment and a deep sense of aloneness and despair. This class takes you through a clear, step-by-step process for breaking free of painful patterns of relating and shows you how to work together to start bringing our the best in each other. The class is based on Dr. Sue Johnson's ground-breaking book Hold Me Tight: Seven conversations for a lifetime of love. Techniques offered are derived from her scientific studies involving thousands of couples. You'll learn how to heal past hurts so each of you can feel more valued and secure with each other. You'll learn how to communicate your needs and feelings in a way that invites your partner to respond with love and compassion. You'll have the framework to create relationship where you know you'll partner will be there for you and where you become each otheršs safe haven. As a group we will view videos of a couple moving through closeness-building conversations as they process the challenges and joys of their relationship. Then you'll work more privately together as a couple on closeness-building exercises to help you shape a lasting, loving bond which brings more joy, intimacy and shared purpose in your life together. Week 1: Understanding the Science of Love and Attachment Week 2: How Love Goes Wrong: The Demon Dialogues Week 3: Identifying Your Raw Spots Week 4: Fixing Mistakes and Creating a Secure Base Week 5: Becoming Open and Responsive Week 6: Healing Relationship Injuries and Trusting Again Week 7: Developing Intimacy through Tender Touch and Synchrony Sex Week 8: How to Keep Your Love Alive and Care for Your Relationship Space in this workshop is limited to 8 couples.   To register: call 425-736-6980 or email your name, street address, phone number and class title and date(s) to info@angermanagementassociates.com.