Is this you?
You recognize conflict as a natural part of any intimate relationship and want to welcome it with confidence and skill. You are ready to learn the concepts and skills needed to navigate conflict and stay connected in the midst of daily life challenges.
What goes wrong?
You and your partner are suddenly disconnected and arguing about missing a turn while driving. The content is trivial, but there is something important underneath, if only you could name it.
Mindful Compassionate Dialogue helps you name the real issues and address them effectively. The real issues are universal: love, respect, understanding, being heard & seen, caring, consideration, trust, intimacy — to name a few. Unfortunately these are often communicated indirectly. For example, “You never listen to me!” could be more directly communicated like this: “Hearing you give me advice, I feel frustrated because I want to be heard. Would you be willing to tell me what you are hearing me say rather than giving me advice?”
What’s it all about?
This two hour workshop will be a brief introduction to Mindful Compassionate Dialogue in which you will:
Learn a vocabulary for directly expressing feelings, needs, and requests.
Learn to offer and receive true appreciation.
Learn to offer and receive empathy.
Have an opportunity for questions.
Hear common questions and concerns from other couples that give you a sense of acceptance and normalcy for the issues you and your partner face.
Only be working with your partner in structured exercises. (There will be no small group work in this workshop so you won't need to share anything about your relationship with me or with the group).
Receive a handout that will help you continue to practice at home.
objectives for the workshop
Walk away with an experience of the power of empathy and understand how it differs from other offerings of support such as sympathy, consoling, educating, and problem solving.
Get a glimpse of how identifying the universal values/needs in a conflict can release you from stuckness, and help you find a new way forward.
Learn about a major source of reactivity called "tender needs," and how you can learn to prevent and manage reactivity.
Details
Trainer: Ava Frank
Prerequisites: None
When: Wednesday, February 12th, 2025, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Multnomah Friends Meeting, 4312 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215
For questions: contact Ava at ava@mcdtherapy.com
Cost: $40.00 per couple (Non-dyad intimate partnerships are welcome)