"Marriage By Design" Workshop to be held
in Harlingen June 23

HARLINGEN, June 15, 2007  –-  A unique workshop for married couples in the Valley, “Marriage by Design,” will be offered for the first time on Saturday, June 23rd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen.

The workshop helps couples to create and maintain healthy relationships, Participants will learn how to identify problem areas and learn strategies to improve their relationship. In this way, couples can begin to “design” their own healthy relationship – the type of relationship which all couples desire.

“This workshop is designed to provide you with the skills to design, remodel, or rebuild a relationship,” said Susan Fuller-Henderson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Valley Baptist’s Employee Assistance Program.

Ms. Fuller-Henderson said attendants will learn proven tools to bring greater fulfillment and new direction to their marriage, as well as to other important relationships in their life. Participants will also learn how to tell the difference between problems that can be solved and problems where acceptance and coping are better strategies.

“Marriage by Design will help you assess what is right and what could be changed,” Ms. Fuller-Henderson added. “It is solution-oriented and will give couples an effective alternative to simply blaming each other when conflict arises. It will also teach couples how to cultivate a culture of gratitude in their relationship.”

During the workshop, Ms. Fuller-Henderson will be joined by “Mr. and Mrs. Stuck,” who through their participation in the seminar become “Mr. and Mrs. Unstuck.”

“Human fallibility, fumbling and the ‘foot-in-the-mouth syndrome’ that frequently occurs in relationships will be apparent while ‘Mr. and Mrs. Stuck’ attempt to make their marriage stronger,” Ms. Fuller-Henderson said. “Many participants will be able to identify with this surrogate couple and learn how to unglue themselves and build anew. In their quest for joy, companionship and love, the couple learns to leave behind any wreckage from the past.”

Ms. Fuller-Henderson has 15 years experience working with married couples, families, adults and children. She has received certification in a marital therapy program entitled “Marital Therapy: A Research-Based Approach.” This program was developed by John Gottman, Ph.D., of Seattle, Washington, an author who is internationally known for his research on what makes marriages succeed or fail.

The workshop will be held in Valley Baptist-Harlingen’s Woodward Conference Center, next to main entrance of the hospital at 2101 Pease Street in Harlingen. Cost of the workshop is $15 per couple or $10 per individual for members of Valley Baptist Health Plans. The cost for all other attendees is $30 per couple or $25 per individual. All proceeds will be used for efforts to establish a new Pediatric Emergency Room for children needing emergency services in the Valley.

Refreshments will be provided at the workshop. For more information or to register, contact Valley Baptist’s Center for Leadership Excellence at (956) 389-1649 or by e-mail at gena.mcdonald@valleybaptist.net. Registration will also be available at the door.