Description:

Can couples sustain the passion of romantic love? The answer: it depends upon the quality of the interactive space. This lecture will describe a new kind of marriage/ intimate relationship that meets the conditions required for restoring and sustaining the sensation of passionate love.

Educational Objectives:

1. Describe the three conditions required for restoring and sustaining passionate love.
2. Demonstrate the facilitation of the clinical process that enables couples to recover romantic love.
3. Describe the process to other clinicians.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*

Outline:

• Personal Journey & Philosophy

  • Speakers emphasize the importance of choice, change, and chance in transforming relationships.

  • They model their own practices in daily life, advocating for “safe conversations” as a foundation for relational health.

• The Dallas Project & Broader Vision

  • Launched a citywide initiative to teach safe conversations in Dallas.

  • Created the nonprofit Relationship First to promote relational education at scale.

  • Inspired by the belief that healthy couples can prevent broader societal issues.

• Expanding to Ecosystems

  • Focus expanded to schools, workplaces, and faith communities—any setting where relationships form.

  • Used streaming workshops and multilingual materials to reach diverse audiences.

  • Collaborated with city leaders, including the mayor’s task force on poverty.

• Core Concept: Safe Conversations

  • Aim: Shift culture from individualism to relationalism.

  • Promote a “zero-negative” environment—removing blame, shame, and criticism.

  • Dialog is central: mirroring, validating, and expressing curiosity to build safety and empathy.

• Practices for Stronger Relationships

  • Dialog structure: mirror → confirm understanding → stay curious.

  • Daily affirmations and playful surprises encouraged.

  • Emphasis on cooperative, co-creative interactions over power struggles.

• Impact & Testimonials

  • Participants report improved connection, reduced conflict, and greater emotional safety.

  • Applications extend to families, workplaces, schools, and communities.

  • Early relational education for youth is a key priority.

• Vision for the Future

  • Couples therapy as a force for prevention, not just treatment.

  • Goal: spark a relational revolution—fostering healthier societies through relational intelligence.

  • Final message: a relational civilization begins with safe, connected conversations