Transformative Couples therapy®
In-Person TRAINING:
may 30 + 31, 2025
Charlottesville, virginia

Transformative Couples Therapy® (TCT) Institute is thrilled to return to Charlottesville, VA to present this two-day training on May 30 & 31, 2025!

  • This two-day introductory experiential workshop will feature an opportunity to learn about treating couples in a way that will enliven your work.​

  • This training will have an optional evening social gathering, time to be together during long lunches, and the chance to experience the joy of being in person again.

  • Transformative Couples Therapy® is based on attachment research and affective neuroscience, and it cultivates the therapist and couples’ somatic awareness.

  • We will combine large group training with small breakout groups to give you an experience of practicing what you are learning.

  • This workshop is for therapists of all levels.

  • TCT Institute Director, David Mars, Ph.D. will share his model with the support of TCT Experiential Assistants.

  • 11 CE's through NBCC included (Virginia Association of Experiential Psychotherapists is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. NBCC Approval No. SP-4796. Please check with your state licensing board to confirm that they accept NBCC CE hours toward your licensure.).

“David’s masterful teaching approach combines just enough theory to satisfy your ‘left brain’ and plenty of experiential exercises to anchor the model in your ‘right brain.’ ”
— Wendy Summer, LPC, VAEP member
“I felt inspired, alive and welcomed. David makes room for playfulness so that I could expand and open up.”
— T.P., Psychotherapist

Course Description

This two-day training is designed for practitioners at beginner to intermediate levels who want to enhance their skills in couples therapy. The course integrates cutting-edge neuroscience, psychophysiology, and experiential practices to address common challenges in couples.

You will:

  • Learn to teach couple members how to relate to each other from their self-at-best from the very first session.

  • Help couples to cultivate healthy patterns of love and respect-based awareness to create positive changes in everyday lives within the relationship.

Through Dr. Mars’ unique process, TCT helps couples grow the necessary capacities to experience more peace, love-based inspiration, and grounded safety, helping them to love and be loved in a balanced way in their lives.

This workshop combines didactic presentations, interactive exercises, and role-play demonstrations. Join us to deepen your understanding of transformative therapy and build effective tools to foster connection and growth in couples.

Transformative Couples Therapy®: A 2- Day Beginner and Intermediate Workshop has been approved for NBCC credit. Virginia Association of Experiential Psychotherapists is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. NBCC Approval No. SP-4796.

Please check with your state licensing board to confirm that they accept NBCC CE hours toward your licensure.

Workshop agenda

Day One

9:00-9:15 AM- Introduction/Overview of Program Learning 

  • Overview of workshop

  • Opening Meditation using Channels of Experience  

9:15-10:00 AM-  Fundamental Principles of TCT  (Lecture and video)

  • Introduction to Channels of Experience

  • Differences between TCT and other couples therapy approaches

  • Introduction to process language

  • Introduction to TCT Fidelity Scales

10:00-11:00 AM- Fidelity Scales in TCT Interventions  (Lecture and video)

  • Interventions for Use in Clinical Practice

    • Creating a secure base

    • Expanding somatic awareness to increase regulation capacity 

    • Deepening felt sense of love and connection

11:00-11:15 AM-  Break

11:15 AM-12:30 PM Fidelity Scales in TCT Interventions Part II (Lecture and video)

  • Interventions for Use in Clinical Practice

    • Defining transformance striving and identifying it in couples

    • Deepening loving connection in and out of sessions

    • Processing emotional experience to completion

    • Working with core affect of surprise

12:30-2:00 PM- Lunch

2:00-2:45 PM- Fidelity Scales in TCT Interventions Part III (Lecture and Video)

  • Interventions for Use in Clinical Practice

    • Structuring sessions to optimize outcomes

    • Using Channels of Experience to teach couples skillful expression about bodily and energetic states 

    • Utilizing portrayals to explore and heal partner’s younger parts

2:40-3:00 PM- Introduction to Experiential exercises- review roles and exercise 

3:00-3:15 PM- Break

3:15-4:40 PM- Experiential Exercises- Small groups with two rounds of role play/participants switching roles

  • Practice TCT Fidelity scale interventions in role play 

  • Practice use of process language

  • Practice use of Channels of Experience

​

Day Two

9:00-9:15 AM- Introduction/Overview of Day 2

  • Overview of today’s learning

  • Opening Meditation: Learning use of mindfulness meditation with couples to start sessions 

9:15-11:00 AM - Fidelity scale interventions- Part IV (Lecture and Video) 

Interventions for Use in Clinical Practice

  • Evoke and witness core emotion

  • Metaprocess State Three Experiences

11:00-11:15 AM-  Break 

11:15 AM-12:30 PM- Fidelity Scale Interventions Part V (Lecture  and video)

Interventions for Use in Clinical Practice

  • Facilitating relational Core State

  • Utilizing core emotion of joy to facilitate positive Core State experiences and increase intimacy

12:30-2:00 PM- Lunch

2:00-3:30 PM- Experiential Exercises- Two rounds  (Participants in same groups as previous day, switching roles so each participant has a turn in each role.)

  • Practice TCT Fidelity scales in role play 

  • Practice use of process language

  • Practice use of Channels of Experience

3:30-4:00 PM- Metaprocess the workshop experience in Big group (Group Discussion)

4:00-4:15 PM- Complete evaluation forms