Upcoming Events and Workshops

SECRETS OF HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS CLASSES CONTINUE

Secrets of Healthy Relationships  ( Community College of Allegheny County, Allegheny North Side campus. Section #YEB-026-1210)  7-9:30PM, Mar 4 thru April 8, 2008. Course Cost $125.00 .Call 412-369-3703 or check Community Education Classes at http://www.ccac.edu for additional registration information

Relationships are at the heart of every important moment in life. Yet many of us have little or no effective training in how to make those relationships feel safe and joyful. This nationally-recognized program will help you to grow and change in your own ability to guide your relationships intentionally. It is not "group therapy," but rather "relationship education" facilitated by psychologist Dr. Linda Bazan and her husband, Donald Gibbon.

We’re taught this class for both couples and singles of all ages  nine times now and have always found a ready audience for it. The class is about relationships and what makes them work effectively, no matter who you are or how long you may have been working on your own relationship. The relationship in question may be with your spouse or partner, your parents or children, your boss or your employees. The principles we teach are universal… and put into practice with the tools we teach, we find them effective and helpful. These principles are the core of Imago Relationship work, as propounded by Dr. Harville Hendrix in his two best-selling books, Getting the Love You Want and Keeping the Love You Find.

One of the great things about these classes is the closeness that develops among the members. Members' sharing of experiences adds to the already rich learning environment and also makes for great fun. There's a lot of laughter in spite of the seriousness of the topic.  Comments from former students include "Your class changed my life. I wish I'd found it a year ago; I'm convinced it probably would've saved my marriage." And "Don and Linda are the most wonderful teachers. We love them! Relationships are the hardest, but most wonderful part of life, so to make them healthier is one of the best things I know." Couples and individuals are welcome

The class will take place on Tuesday evenings for six weeks, at 7-9:30PM, Mar 4 thru April 8, 2008.  Thee class will be taught again at the Allegheny Campus of CCAC, 808 Ridge Ave, North Side, Pittsburgh.

The classes are non-sectarian though many people feel that this kind of work is fundamentally spirit-driven. If you'd like to have these classes taught at your Church or Synagogue or for any other organization, please contact Dr. Bazan at 412-362-0311.

Testimonials from former students in the classes

Because of the intimate nature of these notes, they are presented anonymously. They were signed by the senders.

“The Imago Education classes in “Secrets of Healthy Relationships” offered as adult education at my church and facilitated by Linda Bazan and Don Gibbon have changed my life. The seemingly same old story of relationships and how to make them better is all new for me this time. I wish I had learned about it before age 60!

I think the most valuable tool that Linda and Don have taught me to use is that of finding a way to validate my partner’s behavior in light of his experience, instead of castigating him for behaving in ways I perceive as designed to hurt me. Somehow, when I am curious about and respect his perspective, I don’t feel as threatened, and his behaviors no longer seem to be mean. I am free to see things my own way, but also accept him as a person, even if we aren’t in agreement.

With our lessened need to protect (and keep from each other) what we hold most dear---consciously or not--- we feel safe and we have more fun together. This is how it works. There is much more to learn, but after a few months of this training, I feel that our marriage is on solid ground and will get better as we each feel loved and honored in more ways than we ever imagined.”

Anon., Squirrel Hill

"My husband and I feel that the “Secrets of Healthy Relationships” classes are the best thing that we have ever done for our marriage. In the past year, we had discussed separating and seemed unable to work out our marital issues on our own. Previous experiences in marriage counseling and individual therapy had helped somewhat, but didn't seem to have a lasting effect on the deeper issues in our relationship. We felt we were spinning our wheels and not making any significant changes in the negative ways we related to each other. After 25 years of marriage, with a young child, we were desperate to preserve what we do have and, hopefully, find ways to make each other happy.

We feel the Imago approach gave us a "handle" on our relationship, with specific communication tools to diffuse anger and reactivity and focus on our partner's needs. The emphasis on exploring childhood relationships as a way of understanding our current relationship with a spouse has been very valuable. We are a product of our pasts, but we can choose to re-write the future by understanding, rather than resenting, our partner's differences, and empathize with their point of view. We have a long way to go in improving our relationship, but the best thing about Secrets is that it has given us hope for the future of our marriage”

Anon., Shadyside

THE RELATIONSHIP SHOP
Dr. Linda Bazan, Proprietor

Is offering...
"Secrets of Healthy Relationships"

Each class looks at typical problems in intimate relationships, especially emphasizing the differing perspectives of both partners. Where there is conflict, as there will be, we'll give you tools to use the conflict constructively. Where there is flagging commitment, we'll give you tools to re-ignite it. Where passion and romance seem cold, we'll give you tools to re-kindle them. Most especially, we'll help you understand and deal with the "power struggle," an unavoidable part of every long term relationship. This program consists of a series of six two-hour classes, offered once a week. We'll start with everyone reading the story of a real-life relationship situation. Then, through discussion, journaling, and leader commentary, we'll "un-pack" the unspoken expectations, feelings and perceptions that cause the tangles. This is NOT a series of lectures. You will be personally involved, but in as private a way as you wish. You'll end up with several important assets from every class:

  1. You'll understand the basis for many of the typical relationship problems and know that you are not alone in facing them.
  2. You'll have some valuable tools which, if you will use them, will help you work through and even avoid painful and repetitious scenes in your own relationship that all too often go unresolved.
  3. You will begin to understand that conflict is not to be feared in a relationship, but that it is truly an opportunity for growth.
  4. You'll begin to understand that love is not just a feeling, it's a verb.

These classes spring out of the work of Harville Hendrix, PhD, whose million-seller book, "Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples," was reissued by Harper's in September, 2001.

The class will be taught by Dr. Linda C. Bazan, whose private couples therapy practice is at 5850 Ellsworth Avenue (click here for directions). Her husband, Donald Gibbon, will also be part of the teaching team. Both have been trained in Imago Relationship Therapy. The class will not be "group therapy," but rather "relationship education." It's exciting, interesting stuff!

.
 
5850 Ellsworth Avenue, Suite 210. Pittsburgh, (Shadyside), PA 15232.
Tel: 412-362-0311