Couples Communication

Couples Communication

How important is communication in your relationship?

• Develop confidence that you can communicate together effectively
• Create faster, better resolutions to conflict
• Increase satisfaction in your relationship
• Expand understanding of yourself and your partner
• Reduce disagreements and tension
• Experience greater caring and esteem for self and partner

How you communicate in your relationship either strengthens or harms your family’s long-term stability and vitality.  Gain skills and tools that improve every aspect of your life – with your partner, your family and friends and people at work and elsewhere.

Couples Communication I is an easy to learn, positive, award-winning educational program that teachers you and your partner practical communication skills to produce, protect and sustain a vital partnership – a Collaborative Marriage/Relationship.

What is Unique about Couple Communication I?
• Over 700,000 couples have participated in Couple Communication since its inception at the University of Minnesota Family Study Center
• Frameworks are theoretically grounded and well-researched
• More than 70 independent studies document the effectiveness of the program in helping partners learn skills and increase relationship satisfaction. Read research here.
• Awards affirming the program have been received from the Association of Couples for Marriage Enrichment, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the National Council on Family Relations, and the Smart Marriages Coalition

Convenient Formats:
You and your partner choose one of two learning formats:
• In a group with an instructor and other couples (totaling 8 hours, $249 per workshop, per couple, includes materials)
• By yourselves as a couple with an instructor/coach ($100/hr, scheduled at your convenience and focused entirely on your unique styles and processes)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Yvette Erasmus, M.Ed.
yvette@aslaninst.com
612.208.7216

Pictured: Java, the 10-year old Plott hound, on the communication mats, taken moments after her two parents got done using the mats.  One of her human companions reported, “Java won’t tolerate ANYTHING but non-violent communication. We call her the referee. When things get heated even the slightest bit, she steps in between us, literally, and we shift. … Animals are amazing teachers.”

Authors of Collaborative Marriage Skills, the Workbook for COUPLE COMMUNICATION I

Sherod Miller, Ph.D., is Chief Executive Officer of ICP. He heads instructor training plus materials and program development. He also conducts training in interpersonal communication and team-building for corporations and other organizations .

Phyllis A. Miller, Ph.D., is President of ICP. She manages certification of instructors, continuing education, and the editorial process. She also conducts training.

Daniel B. Wackman, Ph.D., is Professor of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. He also serves as a consultant to business, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.

Elam W. Nunnally, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Social Welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is a marriage and family therapist specializing in communication and in brief therapy, which he teaches in Scandinavia, as well as in the U.S.

Enrich your relationship
in only 8 hours

Friday, Aug 24, 2012 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday, Aug 25, 2012 9:00am – 3:30pm

$249 per couple includes all materials, including mats and workbooks. Past participants can re-take the course as often as they want for $100

Pre-registration is required to ensure that we have enough workbooks and communication maps for everyone. To reserve your space please contact Yvette or call 612.208.7216

The Couple Communication Program was developed by Interpersonal Communication Programs, Inc. of Evergreen CO and Aslan facilitators have been trained by ICP. To read more about ICP please click here.

Comments from past participants:

“Course was exceptionally well-taught and experienced. Yvette you bring great skill and enthusiasm – the time flew by! Can’t think of a thing to change. Thank you for a super experience.” (Workshop participant)

“You are a great teacher and your examples were exceptional! The energy you brought to the course was energizing to me and inspiring. It went very fast and you kept me involved all the way. Thank you for the fine experience!” (S.N. workshop participant)

“Very impressed with the presentation, group management and the flexibility. It was very effective for me personally and for “us” even though I came with many reservations. Thank you.” (Workshop participant).

Learn How To Use:


The Styles of Communication Map to
• Recognize ineffective and effective ways of talking and listening
• Improve the quality of your communication

The Awareness Wheel to:
• Organize your awareness
• Understand yourself and situations better
• Apply 6 talking skills to be clear and constructive

The Listening Cycle to:
• Tune in accurately to your partner’s concerns
• Use 5 productive listening skills
• Strengthen your relationship

The Map-An-Issue Process
• Create best-fit solutions to complicated situations
• Deal with personal and relational concerns more productively

Enjoy Gaining your New Skills Through:
• Brief presentations of the concepts, skills and processes
• Interesting demonstrations of the communication skills and processes
• Useful practice of skills and processes with real issues of your own choice using skills mats to speed your learning
• Helpful coaching and feedback on your use of skills
• Valuable application of your learning in real situations between sessions (for individual couples)

Who is Couples Communication I For?
The program is for any couple who believes good communication and effective conflict resolution are important to their marriage or relationship.

Your Privacy is Respected
You choose together privately, as a couple, the issues that you discuss and practice