Blog - Page 5 of 5 - Aviva Chansky Guttmann, LMSW

March 16, 2017

Relationship Compatibility Skills

Half Hollow Hills High School

Wednesday, March 16, 2017
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Room 201
Registration: $20
Non-Resident: $22

This is an introductory course designed to help partners increase attunement, listening, empathy and connection skills. Through this workshop, which involves a structured and secure role playing process called IMAGO DIALOGUE, facilitated by the instructor, partners will learn a new non -confrontational communication method which provides a safe forum for increasing connectivity and decreasing conflict. Partners of any type are encouraged to attend as this method can be applied to romantic partners, close friends, siblings, parents and adult children and other re- lationship dyads. At the conclusion of this workshop you will be able to communicate through the basic steps learned in this primer at home and at work, which will result in enhanced communication and understanding between you and your partner in any important relation- ship. The instructor is a Certified Imago Therapist trained in couples counseling.

Please contact Half Hollow Hills Continuing Education Department to register for for more information.

April 5, 2017

INCREASING RELATIONSHIP COMPATIBILITY AND INTIMACY SKILLS

Wednesday, April 5, 2017
7:00-9:00PM
SHS, Rm 115
Course Fee $75, SC $70

Join relationship and intimacy specialist Aviva Guttmann, LMSW, a licensed Social Worker and certified IMAGO therapist trained in couples counseling, for an introductory course designed to help partners increase attunement, listening, empathy and connection skills. Through this workshop, which involves a structure and secure role playing process called IMAGO DIALOGUE, facilitated by the instructor, partners will learn a new non-confrontational communication method which provides a safe forum for increasing connectivity and decreasing con ict. Partners of any type are encouraged to attend as this method can be applied to romantic partners, close friends, siblings, parents and adult children and other relationship dyads. At the conclusion of this workshop you will be able to communicate through the basic steps learned in this primer at home and at work, which will result in enhanced communication and understanding between you and your partner in any important relationship.

Please contact the Port Washington School District for more information or to register.

April 19, 2017

INCREASING RELATIONSHIP COMPATIBILITY AND INTIMACY SKILLS

Wednesday, April 19, 2017
7:00-9:00PM
SHS, Rm 115
Course Fee $75, SC $70

Please contact the Port Washington School District for more information or to register.

The Beauty of Connection

By Aviva Chansky Guttmann, LMSW
www.avivachanskyguttmann.com

Have you ever wondered why our closest intimate relationships provide our deepest comfort and solace, but can also cause us to feel our loneliest, most unsupported and frightened? Much of this contrast evolves from early socialization and romantic notions encouraged by pop culture, literature and fairy tales which emphasize the intoxicating excitement of romantic love ( and even the spark of a great new friendship ) and omit the important component of nourishing a relationship. It is entirely possible for a relationship to offer ongoing warmth and security and be a source of many good things. The key is recognizing what we desire is a sense of connection. Connection exists between any two partners in relationship but maintaining connection requires mindfulness and focus on our relationship vision. As with any mindfulness practice the combined artistry of attention with intention allows us to create the qualities we desire in our partnership .

Nature ensures we connect through the spark of attraction. It feels so exciting and the instantaneous reduction of anxiety and sense of finding a soul who immediately recognizes us, elates us. However underneath the surface we have unconsciously bonded with a partner we will expect to help heal our developmental emotional wounds and, sure enough ( because nature is ingenious ! ) they will have the same unconscious expectations of us. This will all emerge over time but is the very reason we see a transition from romantic love to a more routine and occasionally problematic stage of conflict called the power struggle.

An intentional relationship involves keeping aware of the goal of connection. We are together in partnership because we want to feel a wonderful sense of security. If we keep that in mind, we can explore how to help one another feel the way we wish to feel. For example, if a partner had parents who ignored her or retreated to other responsibilities and she felt unheard, she would like to be attentively listened to by her partner. In contrast if a partner felt overwhelmed and intruded upon by his parents, he may need a lot of personal space, solitude and downtime. Both partners’ needs can be met if both understand why the other needs these things and learn to express it non-confrontationally. When love is the foundation, and connection the goal, understanding differing needs can lead to compassionate understanding.

Biography:
Aviva Chansky Guttmann, LMSW, is a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist with over 25 years experience counseling couples, individuals and families experiencing challenges ranging from marital conflict, sexual and emotional intimacy, chronic and terminal illness, special needs parenting stress, forensic home studies and other areas of suffering and difficulty. She has undergone clinical training in Imago Relationship Therapy which offers a safe, focused and non-confrontational method of dealing with conflict. Aviva is also pursuing accreditation in Certified Sex Therapy through AASECT ( American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists ) . Her website is available at : www.avivachanskyguttmann.com

Intimacy Issues and Relationship Counseling

Many issues brought to therapy involve emotional and sexual intimacy, yet in traditional therapy patients may never discuss the realm of sexuality for a variety of reasons. For some it is a discomfort with the topic, feeling that it is extremely private for discussing even in therapy, fear of judgmentalism and reproach by the therapist , and personal fears and biases about their own sexual issues and concerns.

I am trained in understanding many areas of sexuality and intimacy and offer a forum for open discussion and full exploration of your concerns. I welcome you to contact me with your questions and concerns to see if we can address them together.

Couples Dialoguing Technique

My work with couples is based on a structured and safe dialoguing technique modeled on the work of Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt. I help facilitate a safe, methodical and soothing dialogue process between you and your partner which will allow any issue you struggle with to be approached without escalating anger, blaming, shaming and general negativity. This process is effective because you will each learn to listen to, understand, validate and empathize with your partner. Through these skills you will see you are both individuals within a shared relationship you have created together. Because you have created it together, you both can heal it together. I facilitate the healing process and provide a safe and secure structure for this transformation.