Comments From Previous Workshop Participants

"The seminar we attended in May was fabulous! I honestly didn't think we would ever be able to get back to the intense feelings that we had when we first were married, but this seminar sure did it for us! What a gift it has been!  We have been giving your web address out to all of our friends!  Thanks sooo much!!" 
-H.S., Great Falls, VA                                           

"Excellent! Very practical and immediately useful. We would like to send our entire family to your seminars."
.-D.K., Tacoma, WA

"My husband and I attended the marriage seminar in Seattle at the beginning of the month.  We have enjoyed a wonderful relationship in many respects, but have consistently had difficulty managing conflict in a healthy way.  We have attended counseling for 2.5 years and have grown in many ways, but were "gridlocked" in this area.  We recently hit the bottom and were unsure if we could continue.  Our therapist suggested we attend your seminar.  My husband and I were both deeply touched by your program.  It was, by far, the best money we have ever spent.  We learned so much and have begun to implement the techniques we have learned.  We are achieving much success and are forevermore grateful.  As we learn to master the strategies, we plan to teach our five children how to deal with conflict differently so that it will also transcend the generations.  Thank you so very much for your time and effort.  It was more meaningful than you will ever know."
- D.M.

"THANK YOU for your many efforts prior and during the workshop.  We had to leave an hour early to catch our flight back to Boise, so we missed our opportunity to say goodbye, as well to put the necessary closure on such a profound experience.  Our ride to the airport was a quiet one, since we had no words to describe "the  Gottmans"   (other than beautiful souls...) and the myriad of contributions they have made, and continue to make, enhancing and maintaining relationships--everywhere."
-R.M., Boise, ID   

"We were really unaware of the specific problems we were facing until this workshop. We were separated and were strongly headed for divorce. I no longer feel this is an option I want. Instead, I feel very optimistic in being able to listen and speak now about our core issues and in resolving our problems."
-B.N., Seattle, WA

"I attended the Jan 31-Feb 1 workshop in Seattle and felt compelled to give you some feedback that I was unable to give at the workshop.  Thank you so much.  My partner and I worked very hard during the weekend and got a tremendous amount of growth out of it.  I want to let you know two things I felt were just fantastic.  One is the vocabulary you used. We now have ways to talk about issues that are so much more straightforward.  You have simplified in both vocabulary and in concept what can become so complicated and sticky.  Secondly, I greatly appreciate the realistic view I gained about the reality of a long-term relationship through the examples and stories shared by John and Julie. Even the experts seem to deal with the everyday challenges of responding to eachother's needs. Very helpful in a society filled with Hollywood relationship images.  Thank you for your commitment.  We will continue to work on our path (with a little help from our Gottman Method Trained Counselor), and will refer others to your weekend workshops."
-L.R.,  Seattle, WA

"I just wanted to share with you that my husband and I have been able to be a source of strength and encouragement to so many couples as a result of attending the seminar and subsequent reading.  I never would have expected it.  Yesterday I received a thank you note from someone!  All we did was share hope, what we learned, techniques to try, and more hope, and referred people on to you, The Gottman Institute.  Continue to do the good work that you do." 
-N.S.

"I wanted to say thank you, as my wife and I got so much out of your couples workshop this weekend.  Basically, the way I think about it: Happy at home = happy at work.  Not happy at home = not happy anywhere.  We're very grateful for attending.
-Microsoft Employee, Seattle, WA

"Just being together so intensely for two days was helpful. The workshop was very encouraging."
-A.S., Portland, OR

"It was a terrific weekend and I am grateful to the people who put on the seminar. I believe it will have a highly positive effect on our relationship. Special thanks to the therapist who worked with us. She was wonderful!!!!"

"The main thing is that my spouse can hear me now. And, I am less defensive about listening to him."
-M.D., Spokane, WA

From an Institute staff member: "A pilot who lives in Ontario just called to reg for the April Couples Workshop. He said his therapist sat him down last night and said, "I know you are a busy pilot, but you and your wife just HAVE TO MAKE TIME to go to Seattle to the Gottman workshop. That one weekend can do more for you than I can do in months and months of our working together!"

"I was engaged for 2 years but kept having problems.  I registered for the Couples workshop in 2001 and after Saturday I realized we should not be together and we broke up.  Now, a year later, I am with a new partner and we are considering getting engaged.  I told him we MUST attend this Couples Workshop to determine if we should stay together. Attending this workshop with a boyfriend is the BEST way to determine whether or not we are well-matched for marriage."
-S.R., Seattle, WA

"A solid home life is a foundation for a solid work life.  It's easy to see how all of the tools for dealing with relationship conflict apply as well to conflict in the workplace."
-Microsoft Employee, Seattle, WA

"We loved the opportunity to focus on our marriage in a structured way."
-B.L., San Francisco, CA

"This workshop for us was a refining and a fine-tuning of major work already accomplished."
-M.W., Everett, WA

“I just attended the Gottman workshop for clinicians in Columbus, Ohio. It was all that I expected and more. I need to know the couples workshop dates for 2002. I want to give my son and his fiancé this experience. They will be married September 29 this year.”
-L.A.R., Columbus, OH

Very uplifting and positive. It resulted in good feelings for myself, my wife, and our relationship."
-R.B., Bellevue, WA 

"The roving therapist really helped us when we were stuck & feeling scared. We feel much more hopeful & loving."

"We loved the role plays, the honesty & the caring. You are both doing such good work in the world. Thank you!"

"Thank you for providing a safe, productive & nurturing environment where couples don't give up on each other. To your entire team...Take Care

"Don't change a thing! I feel like a soldier who has survived advanced special forces training. It called forth a depth of strength, feeling, and recommittment that I never knew was possible for me."

"Tremendous Healing!! We discovered we both had old beliefs or prejudices against each other that we thought were a gridlock. Barbara Johnstone helped us. When we shared our dreams - they were the same! (thanks be to God) Thank you for a great 2 days."

"We have been married 27 yrs. For 20 yrs we have been in a marriage support group. This group is full of "masters of marriage" and we learned how to "mentor" one another. I'll be sure to pass on info on "the Art & Science of Love" Thanks again. God bless your work"
- C.J., Seattle, WA