About the Program: Deepen Your Connection!
If you’re looking to strengthen your relationship and develop long-term strategies to enhance intimacy, improve communication, and build a stronger partnership, The Seven Principles Workshop may be for you. This interactive and immersive program is offered to couples who want to learn proven, practical tools to strengthen their connection. Designed by world-renowned relationship expert and psychologist Dr. John Gottman, this full-day session is based on findings from decades of research on the resilient factors that help marriages and committed relationships to thrive.
Bring joy, passion, and understanding back into your relationship—at any stage of your journey together. Whether you’re married, engaged, considering marriage, or in a long-term partnership, you’ll explore new ways to connect and strengthen your bond.
In this workshop you will learn:
- how to improve your friendship and connection
- powerful communication tools
- strategies to manage conflicts effectively and empathically
The workshop includes educational material, videos, demonstrations and exercises. You will have the opportunity to practice specific skills privately, learning new ways to interact. Each couple will receive material associated with the class activities, and gain tools that can be applied directly to their own relationship.
What are the 7 Principles?
- Enhancing Couples Love Maps
- Nurture Your Fondness and Admiration For Each Other
- Turn Toward Each Other Instead of Away
- Let Your Partner Influence You
- Solve Your Solvable Problems
- Overcome Gridlock
- Create Shared Meaning
To learn more about the benefits and details of the Gottman workshop, read this BLOG POST by Dr. Efanov.
Workshop Details:
Date:
Fall, 2025
New workshop being planned for October, 2025.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Simona Efanov at 703-687-6610, Ext 143, or [email protected], or complete the form below.
Location:
The Ross Center
1595 Spring Hill Road, Suite 520
Vienna, VA 22182
Registration Cost:
$600 per couple, which includes a copy of Gottman’s The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, 2 Couples Guides, and Gottman card decks. Coffee and lunch will be provided.
Facilitator: Simona Efanov, PsyD
Dr. Efanov is a licensed clinical psychologist and Seven Principle certified workshop facilitator, and participants will benefit from her years of expertise delivering individual and couples therapy. Her approach integrates Gottman principles as well as emotion-focused and attachment-based therapies. In her couples work, she emphasize the importance of fostering trust, working together on ways to heal and repair past hurts, and building a strong sense of intimacy, which help couples build resilience. She prides herself on integrating science and the art of clinical practice, while presenting concepts in a tangible, user-friendly manner.
Who is This Workshop For?
The Gottman 7 principle Workshop was initially designed for married couples. However, research has consistently shown that the principles in the workshop apply to any committed relationship. Therefore, the workshop is a good fit for:
- Couples in committed relationships (married, engaged, or long-term partners)
- Couples considering long-term commitment (or pre-engaged)
- Those looking to strengthen their bond and improve communication
- Couples of any background, age, faith, or sexual orientation
Not recommended for couples experiencing severe distress, active substance abuse, serious mental health concerns, or ongoing emotional or physical abuse.
Next Steps:
If you are interested in participating in this program in the future, either in person or virtually, please fill out the brief screening questionnaire at link below, and our workshop leaders will get back to you shortly.
LINK TO 7 PRINCIPLES SCREENING FORM
For More Information:
For any questions about the workshop please contact Dr. Simona Efanov at 703-687-6610, Ext 143, or [email protected]
Download the FLYER here.
Q&A
Is the workshop the same as couples therapy?
No; The workshop offers psychoeducational material and is intended to be presented in a class-type format, where couples can learn about factors to strengthen their relationship. Couples therapy involves an ongoing therapeutic relationship aiming to repair maladaptive patterns in relationships.
Will I have to share personal problems with the class?
No, exercises are presented during class with opportunities to practice, however, no personal information will be asked or required. There is no mandatory process and no mandatory sharing.
Must both partners attend?
Yes, the workshop is designed for both individuals in a relationship.
Must I read the book to attend the workshop
No pre-reading is necessary.
Should I do anything to prepare for the workshop?
No, there are no pre-requisites; the workshop is self-contained and will cover all necessary aspects to understand the 7 Principles.
Do we need to be in therapy to attend the workshop?
No, the workshop is psychoeducational and intended for couples with or without the experience of couples therapy.
If the workshop appropriate for couples going through a hard time?
The workshop aims to help couples strengthen their relationship, improve communication and learn healthy conflict resolution skills, including during times when there are challenges in the relationship. If one of the partners feels that the relationship is going through a current period of severe distress, please contact the facilitator to determine whether the workshop is a good fit at this time.
