Creating Healthy Relationships TeleClass Series

Most of us desire a long-lasting intimate relationship but how many of us really know how to cultivate one?


Eating, weight and body-image problems often mask underlying issues pertain to our fears of intimacy and lack of know-how when it comes to creating honest, clear and intimate relationships.  In this 5-part teleclass series, author and founder of the BodyWay Online program for emotional eating, Jane E. Latimer, M.A. joins Steven Shaps, MFT marriage and family practitioner to address five key areas that are often misunderstood or overlooked in our relationships. 


The know-how of loving another human being isn’t as simple as it seems.


As most of us have already found, when our most precious desires, wants, and expectations meet disappointment, we may develop patterns of relating that sabotage, push others away or avoid what we most want.  We may use addictions, emotional eating or weight as an excuse to stay disconnected and alone.


Upon closer investigation, these sabotaging patterns can be seen as opportunities or blessings. We can come to see that the very conflicts or challenges that we face in our relationships are opportunities for healing, leading to greater love and intimacy.


Loving is still the most gratifying experience an individual can have in a lifetime AND it IS a skill that can be learned.


So, whether you fear or sabotage intimacy, are new to a relationship, in a partnership that may or not be working, have a history of failed relationships, or want more love in your life, Creating Healthy Relationships promises to elucidate the mysterious realm of life we most yearn to be successful at—loving another person!


In this dynamic teleclass series, Steven Shaps and Jane Latimer teach individuals and couples the ins and outs of forming healthy alive partnerships.

You’ll learn how to . . .
• identify and overcome blocks to intimacy
• decrease those behaviors that sabotage relationships
• communicate your deepest feelings and needs without diminishing your partner’s
• stimulate aliveness, connection and intimacy
• claim your own power and keep your partner

The 5-part TeleClass series will take place over five Thursday evenings, May 15-June 12, from 5:30-6:30 pm pacific time (8:30pm – 9:30pm eastern).  All classes will be recorded for easy listening over the phone later in the week or for mp3 download from your computer and will be professionally recorded for later distribution.  Personal sharing will be deleted from the distribution recording to protect the confidentiality of participants.


The five week schedule is as follows:


May 15:  Creating Safety in our Relationship


May 22:  Honest Communication


May 29:  Deepening Intimacy


June 5:  Conflict and Anger


June 12:  Claim your Power—Keep your Partner

May 15 – June 12 2008
5:30-6:30pm pacific (8:30pm – 9:30pm eastern).


fee:  $90 for the series per individual
$140 per couple


All classes will be recorded for easy listening over the phone later in the week or for mp3 download from your computer and will be professionally recorded for later distribution.  Personal sharing will be deleted from the distribution recording to protect the confidentiality of participants.  

1. Creating Safety (May 15)
Feeling safe with our partner is the most important state we can create!
When we don’t feel safe in our relationships, we develop strategies that often hurt ourselves and our partner.  This first class addresses our core need for safety. You will learn why creating safety in our relationships is a must, key dysfunctional patterns that sabotage safety; powerful strategies for creating safety; and how to enroll your partner in safe relating (if he or she isn’t participating on the call). 

2. Honest Communication (May 22)
Direct and honest communication is a skill that can and must be learned if we are to feel good about ourselves in our relationships.  In this second class you will learn about dysfunctional communication styles that sabotage your power and lower self-esteem as well as key communication techniques that increase your chances of getting needs met. 

3. Deepening Intimacy (May 29)
Learn what intimacy really is and how to develop it with our partner.  Establishing ways of deepening intimacy within our relationships increases our ability to feel seen, heard, appreciated and respected.  In this third teleclass you will learn why creating intimacy can be scary; why and how you are wired to sabotage intimacy; techniques for deepening intimacy with yourself and your partner; and how deepening intimacy diminishes the need to continue self-sabotaging addictive patterns like overeating, smoking, excessive TV watching and overspending. 

4. Conflict and Anger (June 5)
Overcoming anger and conflict within ourselves impacts our ability to manage it with our partner.  Every relationship will face conflict at one point or another.  Conflict is most often avoided or handled poorly due to misunderstanding and lack of skill.  In this fourth teleclass you will learn why conflict is a powerful opportunity for personal growth and spiritual development; and how to utilize anger to leverage greater intimacy, connection and empowerment. 

5. Claim your Power—Keep your Partner (June 12)
Step into your power while enhancing love and intimacy.  Learn what individual power looks likeMany of us think we have to sacrifice ourselves to maintain harmony in our relationships.  As a result, we develop codependent strategies that sabotage our needs and diminish our power.  Or we may avoid relationships altogether.  In the final teleclass you will learn how to honor your feelings and needs in your relationship; honor your partner’s feelings and needs; and learn how to leverage conflicting feelings and needs for enhancing love, intimacy and power.