Lessons in Love

Research consistently shows that the quality of your close relationships is the single strongest predictor of health, happiness, and longevity — stronger than wealth, fitness, or fame. Healthy relationships also protect against depression, anxiety, and chronic illness.

Lessons in Love is built on the Gottman Method — over 40 years of longitudinal research by Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Robert Levenson studying more than 3,000 couples. Their lab could predict divorce with over 90% accuracy based on specific observable behaviors. This curriculum translates those findings into practical skills for singles.

Yes. Skills-based relationship education has strong research support. Multiple studies show that people who learn communication and conflict skills before entering relationships have better relationship outcomes than those who learn on the job.

No. This is psychoeducational group coaching — it teaches skills and builds awareness, not clinical treatment. It is not a substitute for therapy, and it doesn't involve processing trauma or diagnosing mental health conditions. If you are in crisis or need clinical support, please see a licensed therapist.

No. The skills you learn — communication, conflict resolution, building closeness, setting limits — transfer to every close relationship: friendships, family, co-workers. Many participants report the biggest early wins in non-romantic relationships.

Eight sessions covering the Gottman Lessons in Love curriculum, with short lessons, group discussion, and hands-on practice exercises. You'll receive digital (and optionally physical) Gottman Institute materials and free access to the Gottman Card Decks app.

Standard registration (1 person) is $199. Bring a Friend gets you and one friend registered together for $169 each ($338 total). Groups of 3+ get $169/person (3–5), $159/person (6–10), or $149/person (11+) — all including Gottman Institute course materials. Individual coaching (same curriculum, private 1:1 sessions) is a standalone product at $349, currently at a promotional price for a limited time.

Standard, Bring a Friend, and group sizes of 3–10 (Bronze and Silver) all join the same session as other participants registered for that date — you will likely not be the only ones in there. Groups of 11+ (Gold) are the exception: that session is private to your own party, with no outside participants. Individual Coaching is the only option that is fully private and 1:1 by default.

Yes — register everyone in one transaction and the discount applies automatically based on how many people you register together. Pricing is already inclusive of materials.

Yes. Group pricing is $169/person for 3–5 people, $159/person for 6–10 people, and $149/person for 11+ people, all bought together in one registration. If you are booking for a team, organization, or event, contact us to set it up.

Two ways. Buy a Bring-a-Friend ticket and register both of you together for $169 each ($338 total) — you can even mark it as a gift. Or register solo and invite a friend afterward using your personal invite link; they'll pay exactly what you paid per seat, and if you registered Standard, you'll get $30 back once they join and the workshop has happened.

Yes. Every registration comes with a personal invite link you can share — anyone who joins through it pays exactly what you paid per seat, never a new discount. If you registered Standard, bringing in one friend this way earns you a one-time $30 refund, credited after the workshop date.

So we can confirm the friend actually attended before crediting anything back — it protects both of us from someone disputing or refunding their own ticket after we've already paid out.

Yes — for any ticket type. You don't have to attend yourself: check "This is a gift" next to anyone's info at checkout and choose from a few fun email styles, and they'll get a celebratory notification instead of the standard confirmation. Works whether you are buying one seat for someone or registering a whole group who'll never see your name.

Possibly — reach out and let's talk about what you need.

We offer a condensed workshop format for private events. Contact us for details.

Only if you bring a friend — retaking solo is not free. When you bring a friend, your friend pays for their own registration, and you come along and do the course again with them at no charge. You'll need to provide the email you used when you purchased the course originally so it can be verified in our system, and then you can join your friend in the next cohort for free.

No. The materials fee is included in your registration for first-time participants. Alumni who retake for free alongside a new friend only pay if they want a new physical workbook.

The Gottman Institute sets a mandatory per-participant materials fee for licensed leaders. This fee is included in the price you see, but because it is set externally, it could change at their discretion.

Live online via Zoom. In-person options are in development.

The group format is a one-day Saturday workshop, about 7 hours (exact times vary slightly by date — see options at checkout). Individual coaching lets you pick an alternate Saturday, or request another time entirely.

EST (Eastern Standard Time). If you are in a different time zone, please double-check the start time before registering.

A computer with a camera and microphone is strongly recommended for the best experience. Tablets work. Phones are possible but not ideal for the exercises.

No. The Gottman Institute materials are copyrighted and recording is not permitted. If you miss content, your student workbook covers the curriculum.

Individual coaching covers the same full curriculum 1:1 instead of in a group. You can take it in a single one-day session (same format as the group workshop, on a Saturday that doesn't overlap with a scheduled group date), or ask for it split across several shorter sessions — just tell us what works for you in the notes at checkout.

The full course curriculum, official Gottman Institute student workbook (digital, or physical shipped to US addresses with 10+ days notice), and free access to the Gottman Card Decks app.

Digital materials are sent by email at registration. Physical workbooks are available for US addresses if you register at least 10 business days before the course. Physical copies are black and white.

Yes! The course is fully online and open to participants worldwide. Physical materials ship to the US only, but you'll receive the full digital version.

Name, email address, and if requesting a physical workbook, a US shipping address. Payment is collected at checkout via Stripe.

If you want science-based relationship skills, are open to learning in a group setting, and are not currently in a mental health crisis or abusive situation — this is likely a good fit. If you are unsure, book a free consultation call.

Yes. Later studies have extended the Gottman findings to same-sex couples, and all exercises and examples are designed to be inclusive.

The curriculum is designed around the research base, which primarily studied monogamous couples. Some concepts apply broadly; others may need adaptation. Reach out if you have specific questions.

Yes. The skills you'll learn strengthen all your close relationships — with a partner, family, friends, and co-workers. Many partnered participants report meaningful growth.

Yes, particularly if you are tired of repeating the same patterns. The course focuses on building internal skills — what you look for, how you communicate, how you choose — not on apps or advice.

This course is not appropriate for active abuse situations. Please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (text "START" to 88788), available 24/7.

For active addiction, the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) is the right first step. This course is not designed for that context.

No. Practice exercises use fictional scenarios. Any personal reflection is done privately in your workbook. You share only what you choose.

Yes. You keep your student workbook and free access to the Gottman Card Decks app indefinitely. The app includes date ideas, conversation questions, and ongoing relationship tips.

You are welcome to book individual coaching sessions after the group course if you want continued support. We also share articles and resources through our newsletter.

That is up to the group. We can facilitate an optional group chat if participants want to stay connected.

Yes. Participants who complete the full course receive a certificate of completion.

Cancellations made 14+ days before the course start date receive a full refund minus the Gottman Institute materials fee ($20). Cancellations within 14 days are non-refundable but can be transferred to a future cohort. No-shows are non-refundable.

Fernanda (Nanda) Zettel-Shannon is a Gottman Institute-trained Lessons in Love Leader — one of a small number of people licensed to teach this curriculum. She is also a relationship coach currently pursuing licensure as a therapist, with a focus on attachment, social psychology, and nervous-system health.Read more about me

Book a free 20-minute consultation call and we'll answer anything you need before you register.

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