CIRCLES OF CONNECTION
PSYCHOTHERAPY
Hold Me Tight
®
Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love
June 19-20, 2026
Burlington, Vermont
The Hold Me Tight® Workshop is based on Dr. Sue Johnson’s bestselling book Hold Me Tight, which brings the principles of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to couples in a clear, guided format. Rooted in the science of attachment and love, this workshop helps partners recognize their emotional patterns and learn new ways of reaching for each other with openness and trust. Offered around the world, it has helped countless couples deepen their connection, heal disconnection, and build more secure, loving relationships.
This Workshop will guide couples on how to cultivate deeper emotional bonds and enhance communication, fostering a resilient and loving partnership. Through guided exercises and heartfelt discussions, you’ll learn to understand each other on a deeper level and navigate conflicts with more empathy and trust. Embrace the journey towards a more connected and fulfilling relationship.
This workshop is appropriate for all couples at any stage of their relationship. This workshop is not appropriate for couples experiencing active addiction, abuse or infidelity.
Hold Me Tight is a registered trademark of Sue Johnson Inc.
The 7 Conversations
1. Recognizing the Demon Dialogues
Couples learn to recognize the repeating cycles of conflict—such as pursue/withdraw, attack/defend, or mutual shutdown—that create distance and disconnection. The focus is on seeing the cycle as the enemy, rather than each other.
2. Finding the Raw Spots
Partners explore the vulnerable places shaped by past experiences that get triggered in the relationship. By recognizing these “raw spots,” couples begin to understand why certain interactions feel so painful or threatening.
3. Revisiting a Rocky Moment
Couples reflect on a specific difficult interaction and uncover the underlying emotions and attachment needs that were present. This creates new awareness and begins to shift blame into understanding.
4. Hold Me Tight
This is the core bonding conversation. Partners practice expressing their fears, needs, and longings openly, and responding to each other with accessibility, responsiveness, and emotional engagement.
5. Forgiving Injuries
Couples address emotional injuries that have created lasting pain or distance. Through guided steps, partners share impact, offer empathy, and begin the process of genuine repair and forgiveness.
6. Bonding Through Sex and Touch
This conversation explores how emotional safety strengthens physical closeness, and how touch and sexuality can become a way to reinforce bonding rather than a source of pressure or disconnection.
7. Keeping Your Love Alive
Couples consolidate their new patterns of communication and connection, and develop ways to maintain emotional accessibility, responsiveness, and engagement in everyday life.
Facilitator
Alexis is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT). She works with individuals and couples to support healing, connection, and lasting relational change. Her approach integrates mindfulness and somatic awareness to help clients deepen emotional insight and resilience. Alexis offers a warm, grounded presence that supports meaningful growth in both personal and relational work.
What to Expect
• Alexis will present and guide you through key relationship insights based on Dr. Sue Johnson’s Emotionally Focused Therapy and her book Hold Me Tight®. These teachings provide a clear framework for understanding emotional connection and relationship patterns. Reading Hold Me Tight prior to the workshop is recommended but not required. Link to purchase the book is included below.
• Couples will have dedicated time to practice each conversation privately together, using structured exercises designed to help you apply what you are learning in real time. Alexis and two highly skilled therapist assistants will be available to offer support and guidance as needed, always respecting your comfort level.
• There is no group sharing required during group sessions, though many couples find sharing in the group a meaningful experience. All exercises and conversations are held privately between you and your partner, allowing for a safe and personal experience.
• Workshop materials and snacks are included. Lunch is not provided but is available for purchase during the lunch break at local restaurants.
Workshop Details
• Date
July 19-20, 2026
• Time
9AM to 5PM
• Location
The Sanctuary at Chace Mill, Winooski, VT
• Cost
$700 per couple, Early Bird $650 by April 30
• Cancellation Policy
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Cancellation by Participant:
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More than 30 days before the event: Participants can cancel with a full refund or transfer their registration to a future workshop date if available.
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15 to 30 days before the event: Participants can receive a 50% refund or transfer their registration to a future date.
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Less than 15 days before the event: Cancellations within this period are generally non-refundable due to the limited time to fill the spot, but participants may be able to transfer their registration to a future session.
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Cancellation by Organizer:
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel or reschedule the workshop (e.g., due to unforeseen circumstances), all registered participants will receive a full refund or the option to transfer to a future workshop date.
Soothing the Threatened Brain
Dr. Sue Johnson, founder of EFT, talks about the science of love and the power of secure attachment.
Hold Me Tight Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love
Click below to order Dr. Sue Johnson's book Hold Me Tight from Bookshop.org.
Apply Here
Contact me here to schedule a preliminary call and find out if this is the workshop for you!
Workshop registration limited to 10 couples with a waitlist.
© 2026 by Alexis Lowenstein, MFT.