“We are never so vulnerable as when we love.
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What is “Hold Me Tight®?”
Hold Me Tight® couples workshops were created by Sue Johnson the founder of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). These educational workshops bring couples into a new place of connection and understanding. The format includes psychoeducation, presentations, private couple exercises (with facilitator engagement), and group discussions during a two-day, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekend. Workshops are designed to help you and your partner "transform" your relationship by reconnecting in an intimate, private, and intense setting. Groups are limited to 6 couples per weekend workshop.
Who is Hold me Tight® for?
Pre-marital couples > Newlywed couples > Couples in short or long term relationships > couples in stagnant relationships > couples in distressed or disconnected relationships or marriages > couples wanting to build extra-ordinary relationships (#couplesgoals)!
When is Hold Me Tight® not a good fit or appropriate for a couple?
Hold Me Tight® is contraindicated for couples in an immediate crisis, such as present or recent infidelity, current substance or alcohol abuse, or current domestic violence. If you are in a couple’s crisis please contact us to schedule a therapy appointment, or to be referred to another therapist.
What will we gain or learn?
Hold Me Tight® is an investment in your relationship! Several facilitators agree that attending a Hold Me Tight® Weekend can be equivalent to attending 6-8 couples psychotherapy sessions (at a cost of approximately $1500+). Several past attendees state the workshop felt as it was tailored specifically to their relationship! After your Hold Me Tight® weekend you will learn what adults need for love…
How do we do this?
We are licensed marriage and family therapists with specialized education, training, and practice in counseling couples in and out of committed relationships. We will teach and guide you through the result and evidenced based tenants of how lasting change can happen in your relationship. Based on over 30 YEARS of couples therapy and attachment based research, you and your partner will learn about the biology, physiology, and neurobiology of love and attachment. You will be experientially immersed in these methodologies of relationship accountability, healing, and growth.
Meet Your Workshop Facilitators
Wendy is a Licensed Independent Marriage & Family Therapist and Supervisor, a Sports Psychotherapist, and Brainspotting Practitioner
Wendolyn Ross, MS, IMFT-S, LPC
Wendy is licensed by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, & Marriage and Family Therapist Board as a Independent Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Counselor, as well as the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists and Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has a Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Supervision Designation which means she is licensed to provide work and clinical training to MFT licensees and trainees. Wendy has, and continues to receive advanced training in emotionally focused couples therapy (EFT), brainspotting therapy (BSP), Gottman method couples therapy Level 1, sports counseling for athletes, and eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapy (EMDR).
Wendy has facilitated, guest co-facilitated, and attended a Hold Me Tight® workshop as an attendee with her husband of 20 years. Because of her knowledge and clinical experience in the field of couples counseling, she also is a assistant facilitator for brainspotting therapy and EFT externship training.
Wendy’s experience includes working with couples at The Parenting Center and MHMR Tarrant County’s Pine Street residential adult substance abuse rehabilitation center, both in Fort Worth, Texas, OhioGuidestone, The Ohio State University (OSU) Couple and Family Therapy Clinic, and her successful private practice, Infinite Transformations Counseling in Columbus, Ohio. She also is a AAMFT Approved Supervisor Candidate. For more about Wendy click here.
Kris Snyder, MS, IMFT, MBA, CPT
Kris is licensed by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, & Marriage and Family Therapist Board as an Independent Marriage and Family Therapist. His experiences range from providing various services to families with at risk youth in the community, juvenile treatment facilities and child protective services.
Kris has also gained valuable experience co-facilitating intense outpatient drug treatment groups and male domestic violence groups. Kris has gained valuable experience serving others through his extensive background in the health, sports, and fitness field where he holds several certifications from leading organizations.
Kris has co-facilitated Hold Me Tight®, brainspotting therapy trainings, and has completed an Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy externship and Gottman method couples therapy Level 1 training. He has counseled couples in private practice and at The Ohio State University Couple and Family Therapy Clinic.
Kris is an Independent Marriage & Family Therapist, Brainspotting Practitioner, and a Certified Personal Trainer
Where Do we sign up?
Regular workshop fees are $675 per couple. There is an “Early Bird” Registration of $625 per couple if you reserve your spot at least one month before your workshop date. Please click the “Workshop Registration” link below to register for an upcoming date. For questions please email info@infinitetransformationscounseling.com.
Before attending your Hold Me Tight® weekend it is recommended that you and your partner read Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by Dr. Sue Johnson. Please contact us for additional information or to be placed on the waiting list.
For in person workshops we highly recommend you make your weekend into a retreat by staying overnight near our workshop location, 855 S. Wall Street, Columbus, Ohio 43206. Our preferred hotel is the Hilton Columbus Downtown Hotel located 2 miles from our offices in the Brewery District. Staying in a hotel allows you to “get away” and escape distractions while focusing on your relationship bond. Our office is located near downtown, German Village, and the Short North. These areas have plenty of hotels, short-term rentals, restaurants, spas, and attractions to partake. For online workshops, if possible we recommend that you getaway from home as well!
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations up to two weeks before workshop will be refunded less a $75 administrative fee. If cancellation is less than 2 weeks you may transfer your fee to another available workshop, intensive, or retreat facilitated by ITC, LLC, or another couple, to be used within one year from the date of your initial weekend. There will be no refunds for no shows or early departures.
Upcoming Online Hold Me Tight® Weekend Workshop
January 19-20, 2024, Friday & Saturday 9am-5:30pm
February 9-10, 2024, Friday & Saturday 9am-5:30pm
Location: 855 S. Wall Street, Columbus, Ohio 43206
**Limited to only 6 couples per workshop**
Facilitated by Licensed Independent Family Therapists, Wendolyn Ross, MS, IMFT-S, LPC and Kris Snyder, MS, IMFT, MBA, CPT
Do we need a couples workshop, retreat, or intensive? Matter of fact, what is an intensive?
Couples Workshops include other couples in the general public, or are arranged for groups, churches, organizations, teams, or groups of friends. Workshops include some group discussion while personal discussions are only between each couple and/or the facilitators. You may register for currently scheduled workshops above.
Couples Intensives are an intimate two-day relationship transforming, psychotherapeutic/psychoeducational event reserved and tailored for one couple. The 15-hour intensive is equivalent to 4-6 months of couples therapy condensed into 2 days, jumpstarting your progress so you can get back to loving, building, and growing. Visit the “Intensive” page for additional information, and to schedule your intensive.
Couples Retreats are either a group retreat at a vacation destination scheduled by Infinite Transformations Counseling with a price schedule for attendees, or scheduled by a group, couple, or set of couples at their expense (facilitator’s fees, travel, accommodations, meals, and any other applicable expenses). You may register for currently scheduled retreats below. For arranged retreats, once date arrangements and logistics have been made, you will receive a link to officially pay and reserve your retreat.
*Our role in facilitating your workshop, intensive, or retreat is as facilitator and coach ONLY. Our agreement is NOT one of a therapist/client and outside of confidentiality, we have no legal, ethical, nor organizational obligations as in such a relationship. You will be required to sign an agreement stating you agree and fully understand this. It is advised and encouraged that you seek couples psychotherapy for such an on-going relationship with a therapist licensed to practice in the state you reside.*
*Workshops, intensives, and retreats may be attended by residents residing in any state or country, and can be online (workshops and intensives), or in person.*
Please email info@infinitetransformationscounseling.com for waiting lists and information on future workshop or retreat dates, or to ask questions on scheduling an arranged workshop, intensive, or retreat.
Past Workshop Attendee Testimonials
“I went into this workshop thinking that our relationship was solid and in a great place. It made me realize that I just buried really tough, unresolved issues, but also allowed me to explore my feeling, express my feelings and needs in a safe productive way. We are reaffirmed in our love, more secure in our marriage, and forever grateful for the tools we learned here. ”
““Hold Me Tight” gave us the opportunity to explore our relationship and analyze the ways we approach intimacy, conflict, and other common issues that creep up in relationships. We did so in a safe, appropriate environment with facilitators present as needed. A great place for a structured look at what makes our relationship work and how we can make it even better.”
“This workshop seemed customized for our relationship. We knew Dr. Sue Johnson’s work, but Wendy and Kris really brought it to life. They were patient with us, clarified the Hold Me Tight Principles, and led a fun, focused “retreat.” Thank you for helping us get to the root of our disagreements and break the cycle!”
“This workshop allowed us to grow in our relationship by allowing the chance to learn and name our conflict cycle. Then attack that vs. each other.”
“Wendy and Kris were down to earth and relational which made the session more comfortable and less intimidating.”
“Awesome material! We will be going back to our binders from this retreat the next time we slide back into our old habits!”