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Practice groups provide the crucial link from theory to application. The attitudes and behaviors necessary to succeed in relationships are easy to understand and learn in theory, but can be very difficult to do in practice. Sometimes it’s not immediately apparent exactly how they can be applied to certain kinds of challenges we face in our relationships. Other times, we just forget to apply them – especially when we get upset. Practice groups help with both problems. First, they help by providing a setting where you can compare notes and see how other people are finding ways to apply them. Second, meeting regularly with others who are working on the same things can help you sustain focus, feel encouraged and supported, and provide you with a valuable weekly review of how to apply effective relationship habits in a in a broad range of relationship situations. Each week, one or two group members talk about the most challenging situations they've recently experienced in their relationships. Lead by a Couples Clinic therapist/educator, the group then helps these members think through how they reacted in these situations, and brainstorm ways that they could respond more effectively in similar situations in the future. There isn't time for everyone to talk about their own life situations every week, but you’ll be encouraged to see how similar the struggles of other group members are to your own, and you’ll find that you learn from the experiences of others. One of the core activities of practice groups is making personalized recordings consisting of “reminders” and messages of support from “the group” that each group member will listen to on a daily basis. These messages are recorded on digital sound devices, then burned onto CDs that group members can listen in their cars while driving. You can read a story about how a wife used this method in an article Brent Atkinson wrote for the Oprah Magazine (Click here to read this article). Because the types of challenges that men and women face in relationships are often different, we’ve found it most useful to have separate practice groups for men and women.
Details When? The men’s group meets every Tuesday from 7:30-9 PM, facilitated by Couples Clinic Therapist Brent Atkinson. The women’s group meets every Sunday afternoon from 2-3:30, facilitated by Couples Clinic Therapist Paula Kutz. Who? These groups are intended for individuals who have a desire to learn more about how to get respect, understanding and cooperation from their partners. Tuition: $25 per meeting Information: For more information about the women's group, call Paula Kutz t 630.232.7457 x113. For more information about the men's group, call Brent Atkinson at 630.232.7457 x111. |
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