In the fast-paced world of relationship therapy, even therapists need a chance to reconnect and recharge. The 2024 Australian Gottman Therapy Retreat, held in a serene setting, offered an exclusive space for professionals to deepen their skills, share insights, and support each other. Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic was honoured to be part of this transformative experience, attending advanced training sessions led by the only two Gottman Consultants in Australia, Trish Purnell-Webb and John Flanagan, along with Dr Bill Bumberry, a leading Gottman trainer from the USA.
Upcoming Couples Therapy Workshop: The Art and Science of Love
Before we dive into the insights from the 2024 Australian Gottman Therapy Retreat, we're excited to announce an upcoming 2 day intensive workshop for couples looking to strengthen their relationship:
Dates: 30 November and 1 December 2024
Location: Mantra Mooloolaba Beach, Sunshine Coast, QLD
Presenter: Madonna Hirning, Certified Gottman Therapist & Psychologist from Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic
Cost: $1,190 inc GST per couple (includes full registration, meals, and an Art and Science of Love Couples Pack)
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm AEST both days
This transformative workshop, based on over 40 years of Gottman research, offers couples practical tools to enhance their relationship. Participants will learn to foster intimacy, manage conflicts, and create shared meaning in their partnerships.
Note: While accommodation is not included, workshop participants can enjoy a special discount at Mantra Mooloolaba Beach.
To learn more about our relationship workshop, read here. To reserve your spot, buy your ticket here.
Now, let's explore the valuable insights gained from the recent Australian Gottman Therapy Retreat, which informs the techniques and strategies we'll be sharing in our upcoming workshop.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
What is the Australian Gottman Therapy Retreat?
How does Dr Bill Bumberry’s Masterclass benefit couples therapy?
What key topics were discussed at the retreat?
How does working with emotions improve therapy outcomes?
Why is self-care important for relationship therapists?
What is the 2024 Australian Gottman Therapy Retreat?
The Australian Gottman Therapy Retreat is an invitation-only event for certified Gottman therapists and those on the certification track. It’s designed to offer advanced training, peer support, and a much-needed space for reflection.
Exclusive Access: Only therapists pursuing or holding Gottman certification can attend, ensuring a high level of expertise among participants.
Community Support: Therapists from across Australia come together to share insights, preventing burnout and fostering growth in their practice.
Annual Gathering: Organised by Trish Purnell-Webb and John Flanagan from the Relationship Institute Australasia, this retreat is the premier event for Gottman-trained therapists in Australia.
By attending this retreat, therapists and psychologists like Madonna Hirning deepen their commitment to couples therapy and self-care.
Read here to know more about this.
How Does Masterclass Benefit Couples Therapy in Australia?
Dr. Bill Bumberry’s half-day masterclass provided the attendees with advanced techniques to work with emotions in therapy, offering practical strategies that enhance the quality of care for couples.
During this half-day discussion on the retreat, he focused on the following points:
Emotion-Focused Training: Dr. Bumberry emphasised the importance of engaging couples at an emotional level, helping therapists guide clients through vulnerable moments.
Striking a Balance: The session taught therapists when to give couples space to process and when to engage, a critical skill for successful therapy outcomes.
Real-Time Insights: Learning directly from a master therapist like Dr. Bumberry allows practitioners to refine their skills and apply them immediately in their practice.
Therapists left the masterclass feeling rejuvenated, with new tools to enhance their couples therapy sessions.
What Key Topics Were Discussed at the 2024 Gottman Therapy Retreat?
The retreat covered several complex topics relevant to modern couples therapy, providing local therapists with new strategies to handle these challenges effectively.
Infidelity in Therapy: Therapists learned new approaches for helping couples navigate the painful aftermath of infidelity.
Intimate Partner Violence: The retreat explored methods for safely addressing these situations in therapy.
Couples on the Verge of Separation: Therapists were given tools to support couples in crisis, helping them reconnect.
Creative Metaphors: Using metaphors to explain relationship dynamics can help couples gain a deeper understanding of their issues.
These sessions empowered therapists to tackle some of the toughest issues couples face, with confidence and care.
How Does Working with Emotions Improve Couples Therapy Outcomes?
Focusing on emotions during therapy plays a crucial role in helping couples build stronger, more resilient emotional connections. Madonna & the team at Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic, have adopted advanced techniques from the 2024 Australian Gottman Therapy Retreat to work more effectively with emotions, leading to deeper, more lasting outcomes in couples counselling.
Here’s how working with emotions improves therapy:
1. Verbal and Non-Verbal Cues
What we say matters, but how we say it can matter even more.
Often, emotional tension arises not from the words themselves but from tone of voice, body language, and the unspoken emotions underlying conversations. Therapists at Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic are trained to carefully observe both verbal and non-verbal communication between partners.
For example, if a partner says “I’m fine,” but their body language (crossed arms, avoidance of eye contact) suggests otherwise, a therapist will gently explore these mixed signals. By addressing what’s unsaid, therapists can guide couples through difficult conversations, helping each partner feel heard and understood on a deeper emotional level.
2. Flexibility in Therapy
Knowing when to engage and when to allow space for reflection is key to effective emotional work.
During therapy, couples often experience moments of emotional intensity, and it’s essential for therapists to strike the right balance between engaging with those emotions and giving couples the space to process on their own.
At Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic, therapists have honed the ability to recognise when to encourage couples to confront difficult emotions head-on and when to step back, allowing reflection. This flexibility enables each partner to process their emotions at their own pace, which can lead to more profound realisations and emotional breakthroughs.
3. Non-Verbal Communication
Mastering the art of non-verbal communication is essential in couples therapy.
Often, emotions are expressed through facial expressions, gestures, and body posture rather than words. Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic therapists are trained to detect these subtle signals, helping them understand the underlying emotions of each partner.
For example, a partner might seem calm verbally but exhibit physical signs of distress, such as fidgeting or tight jaw muscles. These cues offer valuable insights into their emotional state, allowing the therapist to guide the conversation more effectively. Understanding non-verbal communication ensures that both partners’ emotions are fully addressed, even when words may fall short.
These techniques are now being implemented at Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic, allowing therapists to help couples reconnect more deeply.
Why is Therapist Self-Care So Important in Gottman Therapy?
Therapist self-care is essential for maintaining the energy, focus, and emotional resilience needed to provide high-quality care for couples.
Preventing Burnout: The retreat emphasised how self-care and peer support can protect therapists from burnout in a demanding profession.
Building a Support Network: Therapists who connect with others in their field can share experiences and offer mutual support, helping each other thrive.
Reigniting Passion for Therapy: The retreat environment allows therapists to reconnect with their purpose, bringing renewed energy back to their practice.
Madonna Hirning is dedicated to ongoing professional development and self-care, ensuring they provide the best support to couples.
Book An Appointment with an Australian Gottman Therapist
The 2024 Australian Gottman Therapy Retreat was a transformative experience, offering advanced skills and new perspectives on couples therapy. If you’re looking to strengthen your relationship, book an appointment with a Gottman-certified therapist at Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic. Our team is continually refining their skills to ensure you receive the highest level of care.
Stay Updated
Follow our blog and social media channels for more insights on Gottman Therapy, relationship health, and updates from the team at Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic.
Comments