Building Antifragile Relationships

A series of 5 lectures will train couples on how to flourish through adversity.

Lecture 1 - Me vs Us | Negotiating different value systems

During these two hours the couples will identify strengths. They will also explore value differences within the duo. Once these have been established the facilitators will share practical tips on how to negotiate and communicate about such difficult topics.

Lecture 2 - Togetherness | Investing in our emotional bank

Each relationship has an emotional bank, where the couple deposit or withdraw according to the present need. These two hours will be dedicated to understanding what constitutes a deposit and / or a withdrawal, and how one can maintain a healthy emotional account, despite what the relationship is going through.

Lecture 3 - Closeness | Enhancing intimacy through play

Through a more experiential style of workshop the couples will have the opportunity to explore playfulness within the duo. Sexuality and intimacy are where the inner child of both connect. The facilitators will explain practical ways in which the couple can engage to keep the passion and intimacy alive.

Lecture 4 - Effective Conflict | Strengthening relationship through disagreement

The easiest emotion to express is usually anger, however beneath anger always lies another emotion. This emotion could be a build up of needs. One's complaining about the partner never helping with the house chores could be a way of expressing the need for more physical closeness and emotional investment. When one understands this it's easier to learn effective conflict resolution strategies.

Lecture 5 - Moving Forward | Implementing maintenance and relapse prevention

During the last workshop the couples will attain methods of maintaining equilibrium and flowing communication within the relationship. This will also prevent the couple from going back to their default way of being.

These lectures are delivered by:

Matthew Bartolo, a sex and relationship therapist working with any sexual orientation and gender. Matthew teaches internationally at different universities and organisations around the globe. He's passionate about teaching couples how to build resilience through diversity

Rachel Osmond, a Family Therapist who specialises in couples and families with relationship issues (communication problems, disagreements), infidelity and family issues such as parenting.