Summer 2024 Couples Therapy Group
The Big Easy Relationship: Get Back that First Date Feeling
Welcome to The Big Easy Relationship...
... where your relationship feels more fun, connected, and hopeful than it has in ages.
Imagine...
connecting to that feeling of when you first met your partner and you felt so damn lucky this person came into your life
staying in the present moment with your partner more: not stressing about the future or feeling stuck in the past
gaining energy back by losing stress
feeling more physically and emotionally connected
This isn't an unattainable fantasy.
This can be your relationship!
No matter where you're starting from, each relationship has the ability to grow and deepen in its own ways. This weekly group for couples will have your heart fluttering just like the first date!
What will change in our relationship?
In 6 weeks, y'all will be able to...
01
Communicate in a Way That Gets Your Point-of-View Across
Effective communication involves more than just speaking; it's about truly listening and understanding your partner's perspective. You'll be able to express yourself authentically and respectfully while also being receptive to your partner's needs and concerns.
02
Stay Calm and Present, even when Emotions Run High
Emotional regulation is the ability to manage and control one's own emotions in a healthy and productive manner. By mastering emotional regulation skills, couples can create a supportive environment where both partners feel validated and respected, laying the groundwork for deeper connection and intimacy.
03
Practice The Good Fight: Turn Conflict into a Chance to Get Closer
Conflict resolution is a vital skill for any successful relationship. You'll have practical tools and techniques to address disagreements effectively, turning conflict into an opportunity for growth and understanding. Conflicts will be seen as a natural part of the relationship journey, rather than a source of division.
04
Feel Emotionally and Physically Closer
You'll feel emotionally closer to your partner than you have in a long time. From holding hands to sexual expression, physical intimacy plays a crucial role in strengthening the connection between partners.
We provide couples with a safe and supportive space to discuss their needs, desires, and concerns around physical intimacy, as well as practical strategies to enhance this aspect of their relationship.
By addressing both emotional and physical intimacy, our aim is to help couples cultivate a relationship that is rich in love, passion, and mutual satisfaction.
Hello, butterflies!
Who are we?
Hey there! I’m Katherine, and the one thing you should know about me is that I love love. 💕After spending years crunching numbers and working with machines as a data scientist, I took a step back and asked myself that age-old hard question: “What could I wake up excited to do every morning for the rest of my life?” The first answer that came to mind was, “I want to learn and teach everything there is to know about love.” And now, I’m a couples therapist!
My biggest joy in my work as a therapist is watching my clients fall back in love with each other. It’s a kind of magic not even Walt Disney or Lifetime movies could capture! As a therapist specializing in couples, I am a big believer that relationships are at the core of who we are, and that the investments we make into our relationships improve our lives tenfold.
Here’s where I want to help you and your partner get to through this group:
You have broken the cycle of recurring arguments and are finally finding effective solutions
You are feeling so much happier and more connected
You have reached a new level of trust, openness, honesty you didn’t think was even possible
You’re remembering all the reasons you fell in love with this person in the first place
Outside of the therapy space, I have an incredible life partner and copilot. We have chosen to be child free, and are continually navigating the fun (and sometimes frustrating!) adventures that come from being from countries on opposite sides of the world, having different cultural and racial backgrounds, and speaking different languages. I am excited to help you build up the best, happiest, most fulfilling relationship of your life!
Hi! I'm Eleanor and I'm your relationship's super-fan.
That's right, I'm as ecstatic about your relationship goals as you are. I'm in the front row, cheering for y'all to get back that First Date Feeling. You know which one I'm talking about?
The one where...
you spent hours and hours talking to each other and it was like no time had passed
you were excited when your partner's name popped up on your phone, it felt like a gift being dropped in your lap
you felt playful and flirtatious towards your partner
I'm not only a relationship super-fan, I'm also a licensed therapist with over a decade helping folks improve their relationships.
Personally, I've been with my husband for 8 years, married for almost 6. We have two completely wild small children (ages 2 & 4). Relationships ebb and flow! And each new stage brings its own strengths and challenges. I can't wait to help you Get Back that First Date Feeling!
Wanna know more? Here's our game plan.
The Big Easy Relationship is a 6 week, in-person couples therapy group. Think of it like Date Nights with Intention.
Every Wednesday night from July 10th through August 14th, we'll meet at 1239 Baronne St. We'll meet from 7-8:30 pm. (more details below)
In addition to the weekly group, there are two workshops, a workbook, and a 30 minute 2-on-1 check in with one of us.
Date Night #1: Explore Attachment and The Good Fight
If you're not familiar with Attachment Theory yet, you are in for a treat! It's a super helpful (not to mention, extremely well-researched) theory that we use in therapy all the time. It helps us figure out who we are and what we need in relationships.
The Good Fight?! That's right. You've probably heard the old adage that healthy relationships include fighting. Yep! That's true. If you're feeling stuck in fights (avoiding them altogether or getting caught in the same argument over... and over... and over...), then this is the group for you.
Date Night #2: Regulate and Communicate
Sometimes it can be really hard to not get carried away by our emotions. Two things are true: our feelings are valid AND feelings are not facts. In this group, we'll learn how to stay "online" when emotions run high.
That'll help us figure out the best way to communicate in the relationship that we're in, not the one that exists in our head. This night will help us help our partner: the better we communicate, the better we understand each other = more connection in our relationship!
Date Night #3: Words that Repair
It's not about never making a mistake (last I checked, this wasn't physically possible for human beings). It's about The Repair Conversation. Tonight, we'll work on tools and skills needed to fix our mistakes (big or small).
Relationships are always a two-way street: very, very rarely is one person completely responsible for what's "going wrong" in the relationship. Repair conversations are super helpful for all parties to know how to use for when (not if) we hurt the other person.
Date Night #4: The Link Between Emotional & Physical Connection
Physical might mean sex, or it might mean cuddling, holding hands, or long walks on the beach.
Many people (but not all people) intuitively feel a connection between their emotional relationships and their sexual ones. We'll explore ways to support both so that everyone walks away feeling satisfied.
Date Night #5: Get that First Date Feeling Back
Bring together all of the things you learned: how we relate to each other, tools for communication, emotional balance techniques, identifying and implementing physical connection, & more!
Reflect on how we've built so much appreciation for our partner. Troubleshoot any remaining sticky points.
Date Night #6: Closing Celebration & Bring It On Home!
You did it! Time to celebrate.
We'll wrap up any final thoughts, questions, and take-aways. We'll celebrate our progress: now our partnership is feeling grounded, connected, deep, playful, fun and energizing!
Course Extras (included):
Two Extra Webinar Workshops: Eleanor is running: "Beyond the Sheets: Exploring Common Questions about Sex." Katherine is running: "Ties That Bind: Adventures in Kinky, Queer, and Ethically Non-monogamous Relationships"
One 30-minute couples' check-in session will take place with either Eleanor or Katherine. You'll schedule directly with them
Workbook to keep. Take these skills on the road with you! You can keep this workbook to refer back to at any time.
Details
Dates: Wednesday July 10 through Wednesday August 14 (6 weeks total)
Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm
Price: $888 per couple (payment plan available)
Both people in the couple expected to attend each session
Closed, in-person group at 1239 Baronne St in NOLA
One 30 minute couples' check-in per couple with either Katherine or Eleanor
Two webinar workshops
Katherine is running "Ties That Beyond: Adventures in Kinky, Queer, and Ethically Non-monogamous Relationships"
Eleanor is running "Beyond the Sheets: Exploring Common Questions about Sex"
Workbook PDF to keep
Who's a Good Fit for this Group?
What kind of couples is this group for?
This group is open to the entire rainbow of experiences and relationships. It's also only open to people who are supportive and accepting of all kinds of relationships. All races, all jobs, all ethnicities, all orientations and identities invited. Polyamorous partners are welcome, as are monogamous folk, but please note that each couples spot includes only 2 individuals due to the cozy and intimate size of the group.
Couples who are committed to each other and sure they want to be together, but need some expert support in working through their issues.
Couples who have generally solid mental health, or who are currently in individual therapy to deal with any individual mental health challenges they are facing (such as anxiety, trauma, or depression).
What kind of couples is this NOT for?
The kind of couples therapy we are offering in this group is best suited for partners who are firm in their commitment to one another. If one or both of you is currently one foot in and one foot out of the relationship, you will get a lot more out of discernment counseling, a service Katherine provides to help couples decide whether they should stay or go (contact her for more details!).
The group also works best for couples who aren’t currently dealing with individual or couples issues that require more intensive care and support, such as substance use, physical violence, or untreated mental health issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer a payment plan?
Yep! Six weekly payments of $150
I already know I'm going to miss a week... what do I do?
Every couple is going to get one "Free Makeup" for group sessions. This means that if you and your partner have to miss one week, you will be able to do a free makeup session with either Katherine or Eleanor (subject to scheduling).
The cost of the missed session will not be refunded from the paid amount
After that, any missed group sessions will not be refunded or reimbursed.
If you'd like to makeup the material, you can consult your workbook or book a couples' session with Eleanor or Katherine at their full fee.
Each couple has bought the "spot" in the group and that spot is reserved for you whether or not you fill it each day. Due to the extensive nature of planning for this group, no refunds will be provided.
Webinars will be recorded and sent out to all participants. No need to make those live unless you'd like to. If you can't make it and have specific questions, submit them to Eleanor and Katherine prior to the webinar and they will be answered anonymously.
What kind of couples is this for?
ALL couples. And we do mean ALL.
This group is open to the entire rainbow of experiences and relationships. This group is also only open to people who are supportive and accepting of all kinds of relationships.
All races, all jobs, all ethnicities, all orientations and identities invited.
What's the vibe? is it stuffy? casual?
We're a pretty chill group around here- so you can come in your workout clothes, your pajamas, or whatever you wore to work that day. Truly- wear what you're comfortable in. Feel free to bring snacks/food as well.
What does a typical session look like?
Each week combines theory and practice of the tools and strategies that make relationships soar.
We’ll start with a warm up activity and review of the previous week’s homework.
We’ll then shift into learning about the special topic for each week, where Eleanor and Katherine share expert knowledge, each couple tries out exercises, and we have an open group discussion around how the information relates to the unique situation and goals of each couple.
We’ll then do a quick recap of the day and a cool down, and, voila, your intentional date night will come to a close!
How does billing work?
All paperwork and billing will go through a HIPAA compliant healthcare management system called "Simple Practice".
That's where you'll electronically sign your paperwork package. Simple Practice usually automatically charges cards within 24 hours of an appointment.
Do you offer a payment plan?
Yep! Six weekly payments of $150
Are you offering a money-back guarantee for this group?
No. All sales are final.
When's the deadline to join?
You can join anytime between now and July 10th. Email us with any questions or special accommodations needed.
I want that First Date Feeling- how do I sign up?!
Great!
Email hello@themindnerd.com or click any of the buttons on this page
You'll get a handy email with a quick Group Screener. It'll take about 10 minutes to fill out. This lets us know if you're a good fit for this group!*
Once you fill out the screener, you'll hear from us. If you're a good fit for this group, we'll go ahead and send you the paperwork package. If we think this group might not be for you, we will send you other options to check out.
You fill out the paperwork package via Simple Practice.
Show up on Wednesday, July 10th with your partner, ready to go!
*We are not in the business of taking people's money, time, and energy if we don't think this is the right group for you. If we can't help you, we will be honest about that. We also really care about creating safe and fun containers for all participants, so this helps us make sure everyone signed up is on the same page.
I'm in! What should I do to prepare?
Great! You don't have to do anything to prepare. If you'd like to take a look at our websites to get more acquainted with us, feel free.
Katherine: www.themindnerd.com
Eleanor: www.groundedhealthnola.org
Optional, because some folks love homework (no worries if that's not you). But here's a journal prompt:
If I could place an order for my dream relationship- what would that include? What would not be included? How would I know when I had it? How would I feel in this relationship?
Where the magic happens: Office @ 1239 Baronne Street
This group will be held in person at 1239 Baronne on Wednesday nights.
7:00-8:30 pm
July 10-August 14th
Email hello@themindnerd.com to get signed up