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In this workshop Linda Bloom and co-facilitator Doug Von Koss illuminate the principles that Linda and her husband Charlie discovered in their research with couples of long-term marriages and wrote about in their book, Secrets of Great Marriages.

Between 2006 and 2009, Charlie and Linda Bloom interviewed over 50 couples from all over the country who had been married an average of 30 years and had created exemplary marriages. They were not only extremely fulfilled in their relationship with each other, but they had used their marriage as a foundation for their own personal development and as a support to their commitment to serve and contribute to the well-being of others. Their widely-acclaimed book, Secrets of Great Marriages: Real Truth from Real Couples about Lasting Love, was a product of their research and contains the essential principles that characterized these relationships. 

This workshop will illuminate those principles and through the use of interpersonal exercises, dialogue, mindfulness practice, and group process, will support the development and integration of these principles into the life of each participant. The themes of the workshop include, but are not limited to: conflict management, embracing the shadow, dealing with competing commitments, cultivating resilience, honoring differences, and handling incompletions. The workshop is open to and appropriate for individuals as well as couples.

Doug Von Koss and Linda Bloom have co-facilitated many workshops together. Doug is the artistic director of the Noah Project, a men's ritual performance group in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through a magical blend of chant, movement, poetry and ritual, Doug weaves a spell that encompasses the ecstatic, the sacred, and the wise fool. He draws from
 many of the world's religious traditions: Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic,
 Zoroastrian, Christian, Jewish and Sufi to create a glorious mosaic that 
is above all else, a celebration of the human spirit.

Learning objectives include:

• Understanding the technology of conflict management
• Recognizing the nature of one’s “work” in regard to creating a context for respectful and honest relatedness
• Developing the kinds of interventions with couples that promote greater understanding and non-defensive listening (for professionals)
• Understanding the power of repair efforts with examples of various types of repairs when breakdowns occur in relationships
• Discovering the conditions and essential ingredients that make up a committed partnership
• Learning how to manage your own reactivity when you feel threatened or anxious in a volatile situation

Our intended audience is adults, usually from the late 30’s into late 60’s who are interested in enhancing the quality of their relationships. Their interest is mostly in the area of romantic partnerships but also includes family relationships, work relationships and friendships.Our workshops are NOT limited to couples and we welcome singles. We usually have about 40-50 percent singles.

Presenters

Psychotherapist Linda Bloom, LCSW, and her husband Charlie Bloom, MSW, have worked with individuals, couples, and groups since 1975 and teach relationship and workshops worldwide. www.bloomwork.com

Doug Von Koss, artistic director of the Noah Project, blends the magic of chant, movement, poetry and ritual to create a mosaic that is a celebration of the human spirit. www.dougvonkoss

Charlie and Linda Bloom have been offering workshops worldwide since 1986 and have taught at many institutions for higher learning. They have co-authored the books: 101 Things I Wish I Knew When I Got Married: Simple Lessons to Make Love Last and Secrets of Great Marriages: Real Truth from Real Couples about Lasting Love.
 

Fees
Registration fees include program and freshly prepared meals. Onsite lodging is extra, $75 per person per night Shared Room and $99 per night Single Room.

• $295 EarlyBird Fee thru July 23, 2012
• $325 Regular Fee thereafter

Registration within 72 hours of the event will incur a $30 administration fee, so please register early.

Schedule
Friday
4:00—5:45 PM Check in
6:00 PM Dinner
7:00—9:00 PM
Introductions, context set. Workshop guidelines intention and purpose

Saturday
8:00—9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM—12:15 PM
Dealing with differences, incompletions, competing commitments
12:30—1:30 PM Lunch
2:00—5:45 PM
Repair efforts and trust-rebuilding, shadow work
6:00—7:00 PM Dinner
7:00—9:00 PM
Evening free for relaxation, integration of coursework

Sunday
8:00—9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM—12:15 PM
Love languages, opening of the heart, gratitude;
What are you leaving with? Q&A, Integration
12:30—1:30 PM Lunch
1:30 PM Departure

Arrival and Departure
Check-in and access to accommodations is from Friday from 4:00—6:00 pm. Guests are requested to be checked out of their room by 11:00 AM on Sunday. For more information on directions and transportation, see Plan Your Stay.

CE Credits
12 Continuing Education Credits are available for a processing fee of $25.

The Institute of Noetic Sciences (101 San Antonio Road, Petaluma, CA 94952-9524), sponsor of this program, certifies that this continuing education workshop meets the criteria for Continuing Education Credit for:

• Marriage Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Social Workers — The California Board of Behavioral Sciences, provider #PCE 3885
• Nurses — The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), provider #10318

Further Information
Please email workshops@noetic.org or call 707-779-8202.