What is Hold Me Tight?
Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson
"The book Hold Me Tight, first published by Dr. Johnson in 2008, offers a revolutionary new way to see and shape love relationships. The stories, new ideas and exercises in the book are based on the new science of love and the wisdom of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT), an effective new model developed by Dr. Johnson." (ICEEFT)
Hold Me Tight Workshops
The Hold Me Tight Couples workshop is a structured, evidence-based relationship education program developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, the founder of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). Based on her bestselling book of the same name, the Workshop is designed to help couples understand their emotional patterns, heal past disconnection, and build a more secure, loving bond.
At Secure Attachment Solutions, the Hold Me Tight Workshop is facilitated by Cayla, a certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist with years of experience guiding couples through this powerful program. Unlike individual therapy sessions, the Workshop is a group experience; meaning you work alongside other couples, learning and growing in a supportive, structured environment.
The Workshop is not group therapy. Rather, it is a psychoeducational program that teaches couples the science of love, attachment, and emotional responsiveness; and gives them concrete tools to transform their relationship.
The Science Behind the Hold Me Tight Workshop
The Workshop is rooted in attachment theory, which teaches us that human beings are biologically wired for emotional closeness and connection. When that connection feels threatened; through conflict, distance, or repeated misattunement; our nervous systems go into self-protection mode. We pursue, withdraw, criticize, or shut down. These patterns can feel impossible to break.
Dr. Sue Johnson's Hold Me Tight program offers a roadmap for understanding why these patterns develop and how to change them. Through a series of structured conversations and exercises, couples learn to:
- Identify their negative interaction cycle
- Understand the attachment fears and needs driving their behavior
- Share vulnerable emotions that have been hidden beneath conflict
- Respond to each other with empathy, openness, and emotional availability
- Build new patterns of connection that feel safe and secure
The Workshop draws on decades of research showing that emotional responsiveness; not conflict resolution skills or communication techniques alone; is the foundation of lasting love.
What Happens During a Hold Me Tight Workshop?
A Workshop at Secure Attachment Solutions typically unfolds over two days. Each session is carefully structured to guide couples through the core conversations outlined in Dr. Sue Johnson's Hold Me Tight program.
The Workshop includes:
- Educational presentations about attachment theory and the science of love
- Video demonstrations of couples working through key conversations
- Guided couple exercises done privately (not in front of the group)
- Reflection and sharing opportunities within the group
- Facilitated discussion and Q&A with a certified EFCT therapist
Participants often describe the Workshop as one of the most meaningful relationship experiences they have ever had. Even couples who do not consider themselves in crisis find that the program deepens their understanding and strengthens their bond in lasting ways.
Who Should Attend a Hold Me Tight Workshop?
The Workshop is designed for couples at all stages of their relationship. You do not need to be in crisis to benefit. In fact, many couples attend a Workshop as a preventative or enrichment experience; to deepen their connection before problems escalate.
The Workshop may be especially helpful if you:
- Feel disconnected or emotionally distant from your partner
- Find yourselves in recurring arguments that never fully resolve
- Are recovering from a betrayal or attachment injury
- Want to understand your own emotional patterns and attachment style
- Are preparing for major life transitions such as having children, illness, or loss
- Simply want to invest in the health and longevity of your relationship
The Workshop is facilitated in a small group (6-8 couples) setting, which means you will be in the company of other couples working toward similar goals. Many participants find this shared experience to be deeply normalizing and encouraging.
Workshop vs. Couples Therapy
Many couples wonder whether they should attend a Hold Me Tight Workshop or pursue individual couples therapy. The answer depends on your needs, goals, and current situation.
The Workshop is a psychoeducational experience, not clinical treatment. It is highly effective for couples who want to learn and grow together, but it does not replace therapy for couples dealing with acute crisis, active trauma, or serious mental health concerns.
However, the Workshop is an excellent complement to therapy; or a powerful starting point for couples who are not yet ready for the deeper work of individual sessions. Many therapists also refer their couples clients to the Workshop as a way to accelerate progress and reinforce the work done in session.
If you are currently in couples therapy, attending a Workshop alongside your sessions can deepen understanding and help you practice new skills in a structured, supported setting.