Practice Building Monthly Calls
These calls are held on the first Thursday of every month at 2.00 Eastern time.
The objective is to share experience from those who have been successful at Practice Building, and answer your questions as a group, based on all our experiences of what seems to work.
March 5th - Henry Harlow
This first call introduced coach Henry Harlow, who shared some insights about how to focus on building your practice. To listen to the recording click here.
April 2nd - Norene Gonsiewski
Norene shared how she more than doubled the size of her practice by networking with referral services. To listen to the recording click here.
May 7th - Sylvia Rosenfeld and Cheryl Dollinger-Brown
To listen to the recording click here.
July 1st- Jayne Gumpel
Logistical Suggestions
•§ Each group should consist of 6 sessions and include at least 4 couples (but no more than 6)
•§ Each session should be scheduled for 2 hours (for 4 couples). If the group consists of 5 or 6 couples, you can add on time as necessary.
•§ For groups consisting of 4 couples, you should aim to charge $500 per couple for all 6 sessions. Consider offering a scholarship if need be.
•§ For subsequent groups (i.e. following a successful first run), charge $600-$800 per couple.
•§ Aim to run 3 sets of groups at a time and offer an all-day Saturday group for all participants following their final session. This Saturday group should be included in the cost of the program.
•§ Plan all sessions well in advance (date and time).
Marketing and Recruiting Ideas
•§ Design an email and paper brochure.
•§ Create a list of all couples with whom you are acquainted, whether clients or friends. Call each of them to explain that you will be leading a 6-week course focused on relationships using Imago theory and techniques. Follow up with an email and/or paper brochure.
•§ Create a list of all referrals, including therapist, pastors, and teachers. Call on each of them and set up meetings to explain the course you will be running. Obtain names and email addresses of possible contacts or consider asking your referral source to distribute your materials (brochures, etc.) for you.
•§ Create a list of all individual clients, whether single or married. Include past and current clients. Send them information about the course and invite them to attend.
•§ Be sure to stress the commitment to confidentiality!
Recommended Schedule/Curriculum
Session 1
Centering
Introductions: What I love about my partner and what I want you to know about him/her
Lecture: Romantic phase
Demonstration: Teach Intentional Dialogue using the romantic stage as content
Teach in vitro
Break group into pairs to practice mirroring
Close process
Close meditation
HW: Practice mirroring
Session 2
Centering
Check in: HW, what worked?
Lecture: Romantic phase transforms to the growth phase
Demonstration: Intentional Dialogue re: Power Struggle Issue
Teach in vitro again
Practice: One sender only
Close process
Close meditation
HW: Practice Intentional Dialogue
Session 3
Centering
Check-in: something you appreciate about your partner
Lecture: Exits and safety
Demonstration: Intentional Dialogue re: Exits
Practice: Full Intentional Dialogue re: Exits
Close Process
Close meditation
HW: Write a story about your most “popular” exit
Session 4
Centering
Check-in: just a word.
Lecture: The purpose of the unconscious in mate selection or learning to love what we hate and why that is important.
Writing exercise
Close meditation
HW: Holding
Session 5
Parent-child dialogue
Centering
Check-in: longer sharing
Demonstration: Parent-Child Dialogue
Process
Close meditation
HW: Write a relationship vision together
Session 6
Frustrations and how to express them
Centering
Check-in
Demonstration: Behavioral Change Request
Process
Close with simple commitment exercise and relationship vision