Couples Therapy Case Consultation Group
January 21st, 2026
Perhaps you’ve tried to discuss important topics with your partner… but the moment one of you feels misunderstood, criticized, or overwhelmed, everything shuts down.
Defensiveness rises.
One person withdraws or avoids.
Tension grows.
And you both find yourselves thinking,
“How did we end up here again? All I said was…”
The issue remains unresolved, the conversation feels incomplete, and what could have brought you closer instead becomes another wall between you — creating distance, tension, and emotional disconnect.
If this sounds familiar, then…
Would you like to learn proven, leading-edge communication techniques to finally work through the stuck issues you’ve been avoiding?
Our Couples Communication Workshop teaches couples just that.
When you find yourselves looping in the same old negative pattern, imagine going from:
♥ Conflict → Collaboration
♥ Divided → United
♥ Distant → Connected
♥ Power Struggles → Teamwork

Our tools are designed to get to the root of your repetitive cycles and redirect your conversations toward understanding, empathy, and clarity.
When you stop focusing on who’s “right” or “wrong,”you create a relationship built on love, respect, and collaboration.
“My husband and I have attended years of couple’s counseling, with very little progress. After attending this Communication Workshop, we had a clear idea of what we were both contributing to the ‘dance of anger’ that was our pattern. We are continuing to use the workbook and the tools, and have seen a lot of imporovement in very little time. Thank you Michelle!” – Andrea E. Philadelphia, PA
This workshop takes place at The Inn at Saratoga — a serene boutique hotel nestled along a quiet creek and shaded by gorgeous trees. The natural setting creates a calming, grounded atmosphere that makes it easier to open up, feel connected, and have meaningful conversations.
Just steps away, a charming footbridge leads you to Saratoga Village, where you’ll find cafés, restaurants, and a peaceful park. It’s the perfect backdrop for couples wanting to deepen, repair, and reconnect in a gentle, supportive environment.

• Create a relationship that feels collaborative instead of guarded
• Understand your partner without losing your stance or yourself
• Experience more love, safety, and satisfaction
• Speak from your heart with confidence
• Increase emotional and physical intimacy
• Discuss sensitive topics in a respectful, productive way
• Manage the strong urges to interrupt, defend, or shut down
• Express meaningful, heartfelt appreciations that bring you closer
The principles in this workshop are rooted in the latest developments in differentiation, neuroscience, and modern couples therapy — giving you practical, research-supported tools to get to the real root of your stuck places.
You won’t just hear the tools.
You’ll practice them together in guided, structured exercises — side by side with your partner — so you can feel, immediately, how these shifts can create connection, understanding, and emotional safety.
”As a result of attending your Couples Communication Workshop, we have made significant progress that had not been achieved using any other resource. We are still applying the tools we learned even after the workshop is over, and continue to have successes. Your class had a strong, positive effect on our marriage, thank you!” – Barbara Craver
This Workshop Produces the Best Results If You:
• Are willing to work as a team with your partner to shift long-standing patterns together
• Are ready to explore the kind of relationship you truly want — and your part in creating it
• Have an open mind and curiosity for experimenting with new tools and ideas
• Want to learn what helps your partner feel most loved, valued, and appreciated
This workshop is designed to help you break the negative cycles, communicate in a healthier way, and finally feel connected, understood, united, and moving forward again.
We hope you can join us for an insightful, restorative, and eye-opening day of learning.
We look forward to seeing you there.
“Terrific workshop! I learned a lot about myself and my wife of over 25 years, and our dynamics. The one-on-one portions with Michelle were truly magical and showed me how we could communicate meaningfully on a daily basis.” – C.M

Q- I feel reluctant to attend a group workshop – will we be forced to share or expose anything in front of other participants?
A- It’s a workshop, not group therapy – so no one is ever put on the spot, exposed or otherwise asked to participate in any way. You will learn cutting-edge exercises designed to dramatically improve the way you communicate, which are practiced just between the two of you privately.
Q- What is the structure or format of the workshop?
A- It is a combination of teaching, and several exercises for you and your partner to practice together the concepts that you are learning. This will be done privately, just between you and your partner.
Q- Will we receive 1:2 help at any point?
A- During the private communication exercises with your partner, Michelle will drop in to offer guidance and insights to help keep you and your partner on track. She will not be able to be present with you throughout the entirety of the exercises. If you are looking for more consistent guidance throughout, you might instead consider attending a 1:1 intensive with her: https://michellejoymft.com/couples-therapy-intensives/
Q- Will all the challenges between us be resolved at this workshop?
A- The workshop teaches you a process for HOW to talk about your challenges together. Things like anger, blame, shutting down, criticisms, avoidance etc are what lead to unresolved issues. The workshop process teaches couples how to respond differently and frameworks for understanding – even and especially when they don’t agree. The more you are willing to try something different, the more you will benefit from our day together. When challenges have been happening for a while, it will require more conversations following the workshop, and this process will show you how.
Q- Are same-sex couples welcome?
A- Absolutely.
Q- Are couples who attend newlyweds or do they have long term marriages?
A- Both! The tools and methods that this workshop teaches are applicable to you whether you are just dating, or have been married for 40 years. Regardless of how long you have been together, you will fit right in.
Q- What is included in the price?
A- The price includes:
Q- What is the location like?
A- The workshop is held at The Inn at Saratoga, a serene boutique hotel nestled along a quiet creek and surrounded by beautiful trees. It’s peaceful, calming, and the perfect setting for reflective relationship work.
You’ll also have easy access to Saratoga Village, just a short walk across a charming footbridge — with cafés, restaurants, and a lovely park via a footbridge if you want to stroll, relax, or grab a meal before or after the workshop.
The workshop location offers peace, nature, and ease of access across the Bay Area:
Q- What if my partner or I am still feeling reluctant to attend?
A- Feel free to contact Michelle to discuss how this workshop can be of help to you. And — this workshop comes with a special guarantee: If you attend and, for any reason, you believe the insights and skills cannot help your relationship, you may request a courteous and complete refund of the workshop.
Q- What is the cancellation policy?
A- The payment is nonrefundable, but transferable to a future workshop if needed.
“Today was exactly what we expected and very much met our needs! Michelle was so reassuring and made us feel so comfortable. It has only been one week since we attended the workshop, and my husband and I are already seeing the benefits from the workshop and the tools we learned. The workshop was very beneficial and I definitely recommend it to all couples!” – Lori Stouffer
“This was a great workshop and worth every penny. We are coming away with useful and practical tools to implement in daily life, in a non-threatening format. I feel more heard and understood than I ever have before by my husband. Thank you!“ – Claire Federico
“Today’s curriculum was fantastic. Michelle Joy is a wonderful instructor and I really enjoyed how she presented and discussed the topics. I highly recommend this workshop to many other couples that I know. Top notch and 2 thumbs up!” – Art Federico
“The Communication Workshop was absolutely wonderful and I am so happy that my husband and I were able to attend. This will undoubtedly change your marriage in the most positive way! You will gain knowledge on how to grow and rebuild connection with your partner and break old patterns of ineffective communication. I absolutely loved it! Michelle is kind and clear in her teaching.” – Julie Taylor
“I was fairly apprehensive before we went to the workshop, because I don’t like to share feelings in public, so it was a relief to find out that I wouldn’t have to. The day was at times intense and at other times fun. My partner and I explored some issues that have been dogging us for years and learned new ways of dealing with them. Michelle provided some very helpful insights into what gets in the way of us communicating with each other, as well as some tips for how to solve problems rationally, rather than allowing our reactivity to get in the way. Highly recommend it to couples at any stage of a relationship!” – Martha S.
“My husband and I found the Couples Communication Workshop to be terrific. Michelle is a great teacher and made us both feel very comfortable – it was wonderful to know that none of the couples would be asked to process or practice the exercises in front of the group. We not only felt good about the issue we processed and negotiated at the workshop, but also had an extremely wonderful outcome when we applied what we learned at home. Take the workshop! Even with a reluctant partner, we both got very much out of the day.” – Stacey S.
“As a result of attending the Couples Communication Workshop, we learned a lot about conflict resolution, and truly understanding each other. We left the workshop with a positive view and outlook on our relationship. Absolutely take the workshop! It is worth your time.” – Mike K.
“Michelle’s communication workshop provides a fundamental understanding about how we as humans respond emotionally to various situations. Coming to the class with an open mind allows you to learn about your significant other and about yourself in a one-on-one setting. Everyone can benefit from this class – whether you’ve been dating a few months or been married for many years. The class has helped me to understand my spouse’s perspective on life and our relationship is improving continuously because of it. We have an excellent set of tools to fall back on when things get a little rough. Thank you Michelle!” – Christina N.
Michelle Joy, M.A., MFT has been affiliated with The Couples Institute in Menlo Park, CA since 2002. A graduate of the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy – Advanced Level, she teaches advanced classes, provides consultations, and offers communication workshops for partners. She has presented nationally for PESI.com and CAMFT, and also teaches in Dr. Ellyn Bader’s online course, reaching therapists worldwide.
💳 Registration Fee
The registration fee is non-refundable. However, you may apply your payment toward a future training by Michelle.
👥 Small Group Format
Enrollment is limited to ensure personalized attention, rich discussion, and in-depth case support.
📚 Workshop Materials
Includes workbooks for two, with optional guided coaching during private communication exercises.
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Couples seeking to break conflict cycles, improve communication, and strengthen their connection.