Have you strengthened your relationship foundation in Couples Alive: Foundation and are looking for the next step? Couples Alive 2 is about igniting passion and aliveness together and is part 2 in our Haven core series for people in primary relationship.

“What we’ve noticed in our relationship since attending Couples Alive Foundation:

1. we are more loving and accepting of each other
2. we have more effective ways of communicating and setting boundaries
3. we are both happy to be living together and miss each other when we are apart
4. there is more physical affection between us

I’d say that taking Couples Alive has saved our relationship from ending, we have learned how to be more happy and relaxed together.”

– S. H., Couples Alive series participant

When we first meet someone, and increasingly as the stakes go up, we do our best to be seen in a positive light. It is in these exciting, and often-uneasy, times that we begin to establish the range of who and how we are in our relationship.

If we suppress ourselves to make our relationship work, we are likely to experience resentment, distance, distrust and anxiety. Alternatively, each person’s fully acknowledged and expressed presence can become the foundation of a solid, loving relationship. Through this process we begin to build the faith in ourselves and each other to relate at an edge of aliveness and discovery.

Passionate expression and healthy power-struggle can help establish growth and acceptance – as individuals and as a couple. In this program couples work to identify and share personal characteristics, beliefs and behaviours;  go beyond ‘good-bad’ judgments, and explore how these traits can be embraced to enhance relationship.

This program is for couples that want to:

• Experience more energy, pleasure and edge
• Develop a healthy approach to power struggles
• Learn ways to create personal safety and location
• Build solid ground for relating through risk, compassion and curiosity
• Broaden and deepen their range of intimacy
• Create an open and accepting environment for each person

Couples Alive program highlights:

• 4 focused days together improving, revitalizing, and expanding your relationship
• A chance to get away and visit Gabriola, one of BC’s most accessible gulf islands
• Many years of continued success with hundreds of diverse couples
• A truly unique approach to relationships developed – and lived – by our founders, Dr. Ben Wong and Dr. Jock McKeen
• A variety of breathing and body-awareness experiences that you can take home to continue nurturing your connection and growth
• Opportunities for self-care and/or quality time together with our oceanfront hot tub, onsite bodyworkers, gym, meditation room, forest trails
• The magic of being with a diverse group of couples and the rich opportunity to learn from and relate to each other in this setting
• Something different from your traditional couples counseling sessions – couples often report accelerated outcomes compared to individual sessions (though we believe there’s a place for both)
• Coaching and feedback from experienced and professional leadership who are highly trained both at The Haven and in their own professions
• A program that offers opportunities to continue to learn and grow together…
• We welcome all people in a primary relationship, whether the individuals identify as male, female, or non-binary
• Participants will be invited, but not required, to share what’s going on for them and their relationship in the larger group. As with all Haven programs, how you participate is your choice

Investment:

Earlybird package pricing is available up to one month before the program start date, starts at $3,410 plus tax per couple and includes a basic room and meals.  Full payment is due one month before the program start date regardless of tuition price.

You can find our cancellation policy here

Schedule:

Your program begins with dinner at 6pm, followed by your first session at 7:30pm

Daily schedule:

• • • Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00am
    • Morning session 9:15am to noon
    • Lunch noon to 1:00pm
    • Afternoon session 3:00 – 6:00pm
    • Dinner 6:00 – 7:00pm
    • Evening session 7:30 – 9:30pm

Afternoon and evening sessions can vary.  Your program finishes with lunch on the last day

Transportation:

If you are travelling to Gabriola as a foot passenger on the Gabriola Ferry a shuttle to The Haven can be requested.  Information on this option will be included in your pre-arrival email.

Recommended Resources:

Here are book titles that can complement and enhance your learning in this program. You can purchase when you are at Haven, or order online. Click to learn more:

• The Beauty of Conflict for Couples: Igniting Passion, Intimacy and Connection in your Relationship by Crismarie Campbell & Susan Clarke

• Joining: The Relationship Garden by Bennet Wong & Jock McKeen

Admission requirements: The student must have the desire and ability to learn.  Must demonstrate a capacity for responsible self care, responsible self organization and sound mental health.  The student must understand and speak English.

This program does not require approval by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.  As such, the registrar did not review this program. What does this mean? Click here to learn more.