Workshops
We began co-leading workshops in the summer of 2002. Our primary program is something we call a “lab.” We bring a group of people together–usually 20-25 people–and create a community that serves as a laboratory for all of us to practice new ways of behaving and communicating. Most of these workshops are nine-day, residential programs. Between the locations we choose, the duration of the program, and most importantly, the principles of Green Psychology, we’re able to create a context that allows people to transform themselves. What does that mean? Different things to different people, but the common experience is that people leave the program loving themselves.
In an effort to make our labs more accessible to more people, in 2008 we started offering “mini-labs,” which are three or four-day versions of the longer program. Some of these are residential and some are day programs. Students have demonstrated the ability to learn the principles of Green Psychology and to learn Green Speak during these shorter programs, but we haven’t been able to recreate the deep community experience that is part of our longer labs.
Our newest workshop is called “Dating-Relating-Mating.” This is a program for couples or people seeking to become coupled, and it does require you to come with your partner or prospective partner. This program is as useful for people who are dating, and trying to figure out if they should continue, as it is for people who have been together for many years. Our basic idea is that when you’re in the dating stage, if it’s not great–move on. Don’t try too hard. Don’t force the fit. Once you start the relating stage, this is the time to work through your differences, and we encourage you to do so now, don’t wait until you’re married or have deepened your commitment. For couples who are married, which we call the mating stage, we teach skills that are designed to make life easier. At each stage, the principles of Green Psychology simplify and clarify the process of intimate relating.
