LGBTQ+ Relationships: Connection and Communication
Through Differentiation ~A Relationship Workshop for Socially Conscious Humans~ REPEAT WORKSHOP OFFERED: Sat., 3/23/19 9am-430pm

• Improve your relational intelligence.
• Build together a happier and healthier relationship
• Assess your relationship strengths and learn strategies to address your relationship challenges.

Is it challenging to balance your individual partner needs with the needs of your relationship?

Are you and your partner feeling disconnected?

Are you wanting to more easily state your perspective and hear theirs?

Is there too much tension or arguing?

Are personal and relationship boundaries sometimes murky?

Could you use a relationship skills tune up?

Examine these questions in a workshop environment where you and your relationship and your social-political values are welcomed, respected and taken into account in the discussions. (Unfortunately, this opportunity is too rare.)

This workshop is specifically designed for socially conscious humans in all types of consenting adult relationships.

• It is intended as an anti-racist, safe, affirming, sex-positive, non-judgmental, and accepting space for all gender, sexual, and romantic forms of expression, consenting adult activities, and relationships.

• All relationship and family configurations are welcome.

• Attend with or without your partner(s).

• You may be in a relationship(s) or not.

Make the time now to increase your interpersonal intelligence and to invest in your relationship.

Isn't your relationship health worth seven intentional hours?

... And, if not now, when?
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Workshop theme:

Connection and Communication Through Differentiation

DIFFERENTIATION in this context is the concept of honoring and balancing each partner’s individual identity and needs with "the needs of the relationship". It is a dedication to each partner developing a strong enough sense of them self as a separate whole person from the other - so they may each, then, generously support the other in being their best version of themselves. This, in turn strengthens the emotional safety, buoyancy and vitality of the relationship (i.e., boundaries, emotional intelligence, caregiving vs caretaking, inter-dependency vs co-dependency).

Workshop topics:

• Identify the ways that oppression, trauma and privilege affect how you show up in your relationships

• Assess your relationship dynamics for emotional reliance, resiliency, communication and attachment styles

• Learn the science behind our brain and body’s reactions to (perceived or real) emotional threats

• Identify your “go to” primal self-protection reaction to stress or conflict: FIGHT, FLEE, FREEZE or FACE

• Explore scientifically proven methods to calm our bodies and thoughts so that we may gain more agency over our anxiety, shame, distrust, defensiveness, anger and fear

• Explore the three biggest blocks to connection: trying to fix it, changing the focus to ourselves, and getting defensive

• Learn tips to increase emotional, affectional and sexual intimacy – even when there are differences, trauma issues and awkwardness

• Discuss concrete strategies to demonstrate appreciation, improve respectful listening, arguing, apologizing, and problem-solving

Your takeaways of the day:

• The satisfaction that you are intentionally making time and putting in effort to do your part to build a strong and mutually fulfilling relationship

• Increased insight about your own and your partner's perspectives, needs and concerns

• Opportunity to identify two changes you will make towards increased personal and relationship wellness

• Identify together your steps to develop your very own Our Relationship Care Plan

• Bonuses: Everyone will receive a heart token, a flex water bottle and a magnet of the 14 Fundamental Self-Care Tips for Socially Conscious Humans

Registration & Fees:
Register early: Space is limited to 25 people. Each time this workshop has been offered it has sold out. There have been attendees from Greater MN, and as far away as Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City. The Eventbrite registration site has waiting list capabilities.

Fee: Early bird: $165 ||| $185/person regular fee. ||| Split the payment: pay $90 now and $95 at the door with cash or check. No cards. ||| 5% discount if you register with two or more people: Use coupon code Relationship5. Two scholarship spots are available. No one is turned away for an inability to pay. Contact us if you need to make payment arrangements.

Provided: Healthy snacks, caffeine coffee, spring water and hot tea will be available during stretch breaks. A pen, folders with handouts, worksheets and a resource bibliography will also be provided.

Bring: Lunch is not provided.* Bring a bag lunch or dine at a local café. Bag lunches may be stored in the facility's refrigerator.

Facilitated by: Irene Greene MSED / Greene Growth & Training / An informed, progressive, cutting-edge and engaging presenter who has helped hundreds of people improve their relationships by using innovative ideas, personalized strategies and fresh perspectives.

Irene adheres to a fundamental consciousness for how the layers of cultural and systematic oppression and trauma influence personal, inter-personal and community health and well-being. She is affirming and inclusive of the fluidity and varieties of sexuality, sexual and gender expression and identities, and relationship configurations.

Irene Greene MSED / Greene Growth & Training LLC

More workshops and Groups Offered by Irene

Professional Trainings:

• When European-American Helping Professionals 'Help' Black, Indigenous and People of Color: Mixing 'Good Intentions', Good Practices and White-Body Privilege Various dates 2019
• Minimizing Burnout, Compassion Fatigue and Political Trauma Stress for Socially Conscious Helping Professionals: Sustainable Wellness & Self-Care Explore the ”occupational hazards” of burnout, vicarious trauma, secondary victimization, oppression fatigue and compassion fatigue. Assess your personal and professional burnout and stress levels Learn concrete sustainable self-care and wellness strategies for professional and personal self-care. Create your own “Professional & Personal Self-Care Plans” Various dates 2019

Community Workshops:

• Radical Self-Care Over Political Trauma Stress: Turn Anxiety and Fear into Resiliency and Resistance Come together with like-minded humans and share our various reactions to the current social-political climate. Understand the psycho-physical impacts that stress, trauma and oppression fatigue have on our minds and bodies. Learn concrete sustainable self-care and wellness strategies. Come aware with a personalized “Self-Care Plan for Socially Conscious Humans”
• Radical Relationships: Connection and Communication Through Differentiation: Workshop for Socially Conscious Humans. All relationship configurations welcome. Sat., 3.23.19 @ 9-430pm

Support Groups

14-week psycho-educational support groups are offered by Irene 2 times/year:

~ Coming Out Group for Women - Intakes now for February start date

~ Sexual Abuse Healing & Support Group for Women (2nd group) - Intakes now for January 2019 group

~14 Week Psycho-Educational Support & Wellness Group for Socially Conscious Helpers, Healers, and Advocates - Intakes starting Fall 2018 for January 2019 start

FAQs

What are my transportation and parking options?

Walker Church is located one block from major bus routes #21 and #14. Lyft services are also available. There is residential on-street parking.

What should I bring?

Bring a water bottle. Pens, paper, worksheets, handouts and folders will be supplied.

Healthy snacks, spring water, coffee and tea will be available during stretch breaks.

Lunch is not provided.* Bring a bag lunch or plan on walking a few blocks to a local café. Bag lunches may be stored in the facility's refrigerator.

We are coming in from out of state? Can you suggest a neighborhood or hotel or ideas on how to get around?

We are happy to make suggestions for your stay in the Twin Cities. Minneapolis and St. Paul are rich with art, theatre, museums, restaurants, shopping, coffee shops, distilleries, breweries, the mighty Mississippi River and dozens of parks. Plus, we have a wonderful transit, Lyft and bus system, and some of the best biking in the USA. Contact us for information.

What's the refund policy?

30 days: Attendees can receive refunds (minus $25 processing fees) up to 30 days before the event start date.

Is the building accessible?

Walker Church is fully accessible.

If the workshop is full, how do I get on the waiting list?

The registration process through Eventbrite will explain the procedure for you to place your name on the waiting list. You will be notified if a space becomes available.