Hot off the presses! Read below for a blurb written by Saba Khan reporting on her doctoral research into the efficacy of Hold Me Tight NJ!
Hold Me Tight: Conversations for Connection (HMT) is a psychoeducational program for couples developed by Susan Johnson, Ph.D. to support healthy and strong relationships. HMT is based on Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), an empirically supported, attachment-based couple treatment shown to improve relationship outcomes for couples. Dr.’s Riggs Skean and Brown, facilitators for Hold Me Tight NJ workshops held in NJ and NY, were observing positive relational changes for couples attending their workshops.
Collaborating with a doctoral psychology graduate student, a study was designed to determine if the shifts they observed aligned with couples’ self-reports. Included in this study were 103 participants who attended HMT workshops with their partners. Regardless of gender and initial distress levels, the study found that participating in workshops facilitated by Dr.’s Riggs Skean and Brown helped partners significantly improve closeness, emotional safety, connection, commitment, and relationship satisfaction felt in their relationships. Using statistical analyses, it was found that these workshops promote immediate and significant changes including increased bonding, meaningful change in relationships, and a strengthening of the elements mentioned above as a result of workshop participation. It is the first study that empirically validates a HMT workshop in NJ. If you are interested in reading more and would like a copy of this study, please email: ssafdar@scarletmail.rutgers.edu
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