Level Up Your Relationship (Self-Paced)
Moving in together? Getting married? Deepening your relationship?
This course is for you! I will guide you + your partner through 11 essential conversations for building a strong foundation for the long-term.
OVERVIEW:
- Online Prepare-Enrich Relationship Questionnaire for each partner.
- Personalized Couple’s Report based on your Questionnaire results.
- Couple’s Workbook.
- 11 video lessons plus exercises to help you further explore each topic.
Strengthening your relationship from the comfort of your own home!
Blog
Ted Talks
The Power of Vulnerability
How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to embrace our imperfections and to recognize that we are enough?
Emotional First Aid
We focus on keeping our bodies healthy, but what about our psychological and emotional well-being?
Trauma and the Nervous System
How does trauma and chronic stress affects our nervous system and how do these things impact our health and well-being. Much of the content is based on the groundbreaking work of Stephen Porges and his Polyvagal Theory.
The Power of Introverts
In a culture where being social and outgoing is so prized, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. Susan Cain argues that introverts bring extraordinary talents to the world, & should be encouraged and celebrated.
Emotional Self-Mastery
What often blocks people from feeling capable in life is how they handle unpleasant feelings. These challenging emotions lie at the heart of confidence, emotional strength, and resilience.
Changing your Story can Change your Life
Psychotherapist and advice columnist Lori Gottlieb shows how to break free from the stories you’ve been telling yourself by becoming your own editor and rewriting your narrative from a different point of view.
Therapy Podcasts
Dear Therapists – Dr. Lori Gottlieb + Dr. Guy Winch
“These offer you unforgettable stories of what it means to be human. Sit in on real sessions with real people as we guide our “fellow travelers” through the everyday and extraordinary challenges of life. We bring the therapy room into your earbuds as we invite you to be a fly-on-the-wall and listen to our intimate, raw, transformative sessions where we share insights and actionable advice, then check back to find out what happened after the session–and what we can all learn about ourselves through the lens of others.”
Where Should We Begin – Dr. Esther Perel
“Step into iconic couples therapist Esther Perel’s office and listen as real couples anonymously bare the raw, intimate, and profound details of their story. From infidelity, to sexlessness, to loss, it’s a space for people to be heard and understood. It’s also a place for us to listen and feel empowered in our own relationships. So.. where should we begin?”
How’s Work? – Dr. Esther Perel ” This podcast offers a new perspective to the invisible forces that shape workplace connections, conflict and dynamics through one-time therapy sessions with coworkers, cofounders and colleagues — touching every work environment from start-ups and family businesses to corporations and service industries.”
This Jungian Life – Join three Jungian analysts as they discuss cultural currents, family dynamics, dreams, how we grow and more, and share what it’s like to see the world through the depth psychological lens provided by Carl Jung. They discuss a dream submitted by a listener at the end of each episode.
At Home with Byron Katie
“We exercise our bodies, but what about our minds? Think of this podcast as mental hygiene. I marvel at each guest’s courage, and I invite you to relax, get comfortable, and open your mind to inquiry. Let’s do The Work.”
Your Mental Breakdown – hosted by therapists Doug Friedman and Meredith Levy: “Your Mental Breakdown follows the sessions of one client at a time over the course of therapy. Our podcast is best listened to from the start to get a full understanding of our sessions.”
Other People’s Problems – Hillary McBride
“Real people. Real problems. Real talk. Normally, therapy sessions are totally confidential — but this podcast opens the doors. Hillary McBride and her clients want to help demystify mental health. No actors. No auditions. No artifice.”
Back from the Abyss – Dr Craig Heacock
“How do we find a way out of the darkest depths of despair? Psychiatrist Dr. Craig Heacock hosts a deep dive into powerfully moving stories of hope and healing, recovery and redemption.”
Shrink Rap Radio – Dr. Dave Van Nuys
“Psychology Interviews: Exploring brain, body, mind, spirit, intuition, leadership, research, psychotherapy and more!”
Unlocking Us – Dr. Brene Brown
“Join researcher and #1 New York Times best-selling author Brené Brown as she unpacks and explores the ideas, stories, experiences, books, films, and music that reflect the universal experiences of being human, from the bravest moments to the most brokenhearted.”
Mindful Communication Podcast – Jonathan Miller
“Jonathan Miller, Founder of Mindful Communication, interviews thinkers and influencers in an attempt to explore the human condition and how we relate to one another and ourselves.”
Books
What Happened to You? – Dr. Bruce Perry + Oprah Winfrey Have you ever found yourself asking, “Why did I act that way?” When we question our own emotions, we often blame ourselves and hold both ourselves and those around us to unrealistically high standards. In their enlightening discussions, Oprah Winfrey and esteemed brain and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry introduce a transformative perspective: shifting from asking “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”
Focusing – Gene Gendlin
“Based on groundbreaking research conducted at the University of Chicago, the focusing technique has gained widespread popularity and scholarly acclaim. It consists of six easy-to-master steps that identify and change the way thoughts and emotions are held within the body. Focusing can be done virtually anywhere, at any time, and an entire “session” can take no longer than ten minutes, but its effects can be felt immediately–in the relief of bodily tension and psychological stress, as well as in dramatic shifts in understanding and insight.”
The Way of Integrity – Martha Beck
“Inspired by The Divine Comedy, Martha uses Dante’s classic hero’s journey as a framework to break down the process of attaining personal integrity into small, manageable steps. She shows how to read our internal signals that lead us towards our true path, and to recognize what we actually yearn for versus what our culture sells us.”
Boundary Boss – Terri Cole
“In Boundary Boss, psychotherapist Terri Cole reveals a specific set of skills that can help you stop abandoning yourself for the sake of others (without guilt or drama) and get empowered to consciously take control of every aspect of your emotional, spiritual, physical, personal, and professional life.”
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone – Dr. Lori Gottlieb
“With startling wisdom and humor, Gottlieb invites us into her world as both clinician and patient, examining the truths and fictions we tell ourselves and others as we teeter on the tightrope between love and desire, meaning and mortality, guilt and redemption, terror and courage, hope and change.”
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents – Lindsay Gibson
“If you grew up with an emotionally immature, unavailable, or selfish parent, you may have lingering feelings of anger, loneliness, betrayal, or abandonment. You may recall your childhood as a time when your emotional needs were not met, when your feelings were dismissed, or when you took on adult levels of responsibility in an effort to compensate for your parent’s behavior. These wounds can be healed, and you can move forward in your life.”
Mother Hunger – Kelly McDaniel
“Many of us find ourselves stuck in unhealthy habits simply because we don’t see a better way. With Mother Hunger, McDaniel helps women break the cycle of destructive behavior by taking a fresh look at childhood trauma and its lasting impact. In doing so, she destigmatizes the shame that comes with being under-mothered and misdiagnosed. McDaniel offers a healing path with powerful tools that include therapeutic interventions and lifestyle changes in service to healthy relationships.”
Living Nonviolent Communication – Marshall Rosenberg
Facing a difficult meeting with your boss, a troubling call from your child’s school, and a recent argument with your partner, you may feel pressured to react defensively or with frustration, risking damage to these relationships. However, there’s a more constructive approach: Nonviolent Communication, as developed by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg. This method offers practical guidance for handling such situations by fostering empathy and understanding, enabling you to respond thoughtfully rather than reactively, and improving your interactions with others.
The 10 Conversations You Must Have Before You Get Married – Guy Grenier
” Easy to read, filled with humour, and fun to do, The 10 Conversations teaches you step-by-step how to communicate, problem-solve and have fun together, all the while investigating the critical issues related to relationship success.”
Getting the Love You Want – Harville Hendrix + Kelly Hunt
“This book explores the idea that people often choose romantic partners to help address unresolved childhood issues. When these partners don’t meet our hidden expectations, relationships can struggle. To address this, the authors propose a process for couples to better understand their unconscious needs and improve their interactions, leading to a more conscious and loving relationship.”
The Relationship Cure – John and Julie Gottman
“This book offers a blueprint for how to improve all your relationships whether in a marriage, at work, or with friends, by revealing the science of understanding how others communicate their needs and how to efficiently express your own desires too.”
Hold Me Tight – Dr. Sue Johnson
“This book gives you advice on how to build and sustain a deeper connection with your spouse or partner by identifying the importance that every kind of emotion has in creating a lasting relationship and how to handle each of them maturely.”
Wired for Love – Dr. Stan Tatkin
“This book is a guide to building and maintaining strong, healthy relationships. It explores neuroscience and attachment styles to help partners create secure connections and navigate the ups and downs of love.”
In Crisis?
- Crisis Line – 1.800.784.2433
- BC Crisis Center