Couple Testimonial – Shawntae and Bryan

My fiance and I attended the Marriage Prep 101 workshop last weekend. It took place at the Fort Mason Center right near the water on a beautiful weekend. The class was 3 hrs on Friday & 7 hrs on Saturday (with a 1 hour lunch). We absolutely loved the class . It was awesome that the class was taught by a very fun married couple (Dr Michelle & Patrick Gannon). They gave many examples of marital experiences they’ve had together, which made the class so much more real for us. They didn’t put on a show for us as to what a perfect couple is….they have their imperfections (which also made us feel like we aren’t alone). We were given the opportunity to do many one-on-one exercises from the workbook they provided us. Prior to the course we both individually took a RELATE test which gave compatibility results. Many of the exercises involved what we found in our results. There were very few, actually only one exercise done with the group, so for those of you who aren’t into group discussions..no worries. My fiance and I talked about topics that wouldn’t come up in a day-to-day conversation. Conflict resolutions, financial situations, child rearing techniques, family background & how it affects who you are now, sex life, etc. I know women are naturally more interested in communication, but even my fiance’ really got into. Sounds a little corny, but we really did fall in love all over again. We were happy that they served refreshments the first night, bagels for breakfast on Saturday and a yummy catered lunch! We had a chance to talk with other couples during our breaks as well. Our $420 was well worth it! I encourage ALL engaged couples and newlyweds to take this class!

We really did enjoy ourselves. Michelle and Patrick really put on a great class!

Shawntae and Bryan- April 2010

Couple Testimonial – Jane and Ted

We really got a lot out of the Marriage 101 workshop, and would recommend it to any couple! What we learned in this workshop will really help us create a strong marriage together. Drs. Patrick and Michelle Gannon have been doing this workshop for years, and it shows. They are extremely knowledgeable about what makes marriages work, both through research and their own experience.

We especially liked that the workshop is skills based. It’s about learning communications skills, conflict resolution skills, and many others, rather than coaching or counseling through specific issues. Patrick and Michelle are available for that, if you want, but it’s nice to know that neither of you will feel put on the spot. We had high expectations for the workshop, and we were pleasantly surprised that this was even more worthwhile, and fun, than we expected. It has given us an extra boost of confidence as we embark upon our adventure together!

Jane and Ted - March, 2010

My fiance and I attended  Marriage Prep 101 last weekend and really enjoyed it. Michelle and Patrick did a great job of dealing with very real issues surrounding marriage, yet managed to keep it light, fast paced and we both left feeling it was a great experience and closer to one another.

There was a little apprehension on my part about going to a marriage prep class, let alone one on a Friday night and the following Saturday afternoon after working a 60 hr week, but I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t too touchy feely or too focused around “group activities”. We didn’t have to hit each other with foam logs or hold hands and sing Kumbayah. And while there were a few group exercises, it was actually fun. We would both recommend the Marriage Prep 101 class to any couple that would like to take a realistic approach to increasing the quality of their relationship..

Chris and Kellie March, 2010

We have been seriously dating for two years. Although we’re generally satisfied with our relationship, we knew we would need to resolve a few issues before we could take it to the next level. When we found Marriage Prep 101, we liked the fact that it was non-religious and the description sounded like just what we were looking for!

The workshop centered around the seven keys to a lifelong marriage. Michelle and Patrick took turns describing each key and backing them out with research findings. The examples they gave were realistic and clearly illustrated the concept they were presenting (good humor too!) There was nothing overly touchy-feeling since it’s all very practical advice. Throughout the workshop, couples were given the opportunity to try out some of the tools on the spot with Patrick and Michelle’s coaching if necessary.

Most importantly, they emphasized not to just let this knowledge “live in our heads” but to incorporate them in our daily routine. Some of the tools we found particularly useful were learning your partner’s love language and the structured approach to conflict resolution.

After taking the workshop, we felt that it was one of the best time/money investment we’ve made for our relationship. The skills and tools gave us renewed confidence that we’ll be able to work through our current and future challenges. We’re telling our engaged and seriously dating friends about the workshop because it should be on every couple’s wedding to-do list.

Julie and Paul  November, 2009

Andrew and I loved the Marriage Prep 101 workshop. Through fun exercises, we learned meaningful details about each other’s lives-things we had never shared before-which deepened our relationship. We also loved how Michelle and Patrick used elements of their own marriage to articulate the different elements of intimacy and connection and did so with humour and grace.

But our favorite part of the workshop (amazingly enough) was conflict resolution; as a couple, we learned techniques to slow down that tricky area of disagreement in order to prevent the head-on collision of fighting. We are very proud of our certificate of completion and we’re sure all other committed couples would be too. Through attending Marriage Prep 101, we automatically took our relationship to the next level.

Jennifer and Andrew September, 2009

It’s easy to get caught up in wedding planning and all the “to do’s” on the list. We’re really glad we made taking the Marriage Prep 101 workshop a priority. We feel it put into perspective the extent of the life change we are about to enter. After spending time on Friday evening, clarifying expectations and and then on Saturday, learning various communication tools we felt even more confident about our decision to marry and love for each other. We made a weekend out of the seminar by spending a few great days in San Francisco.

We’re so glad we did because we left the workshop on Saturday afternoon with a clear vision–a Mission Statement actually– that we wrote together on how and what we were going to make our marriage satisfying and enduring. This helped us to confirm our commitment to be together.

It also helped to be in a room with other couples going through the same challenges and the candor of the Gannons was really helpful in relating to current issues and new chall enges in the future. We are both pretty athletic and enjoy training for races and runs so it only made sense to train for this most important life event!

Thanks again for a great weekend we’ll recommend your course to all our friends and their partners.

Jolee and Brandon – June, 2009

With only two and half months until our wedding date, Matt and I were on a path to divorce before we were even married. We argued all the time about small insignificant things as well as very important life changing decisions. We knew that we needed something to help us figure things out but did not know exactly what. A marriage therapist was not our style and going to our family was not working out. I found Patrick and Michelle during an online search and was drawn to the fact that it was not counseling, instead skills and tools to creating a great marriage. I signed us up for the next workshop.

Patrick and Michelle were the reality check that we needed. It was as if they were a fly on the wall in our home because they touched on every positive and negative that was happening in our life. There own life experiences and practical solutions put our issues into perspective and we left feeling hopeful, renewed and on the same page in our relationship.

The structure and setting of the workshop was extremely comfortable. Matt does not like being forced to talk but not once did he feel pressured. Only when he was ready did he raise his hand to share or ask for help. I really appreciated the fact that both Michelle and Patrick were conducting the workshop. It was never just from the male or females perspective, it came from both of them.

Matt and I took away many great tools to keep our relationship alive, healthy and spiced up. We are able to use their expertise in all aspects of our relationship. Matt and I really needed to work on our conflict resolution approach. Patrick and Michelle gave us several tools on how to argue in a productive way and we were able to take away the two that worked best for our personalities. Their Ground Rules for Conflict Resolution have been invaluable to our lives. We both appreciated the fact that the workshop helped us focus on the positives in our relationship and not the negatives that are so easy to fall into. The 5 to 1 ratio is vital in our day to day lives. We also found their Incompatibilities Exercise helped to resolve a big issue in our house. Finally, we practice their suggested 20 second hug every morning!

Michelle and Patrick will change the way you view your relationship with your partner. We highly recommend the workshop. Make a weekend out of it like we did by reserving a hotel room and having a nice dinner together. It will add even more value to the experience.

Tamryn & Matthew- May, 2009

Despite the name Marriage Prep 101, this workshop is essential for newlyweds as well. My husband and I had been married four months and we were nearly five months pregnant when we took the class. Everything still applied to us and we were able to learn techniques to discuss and resolve conflicts that we thought we had already mastered. Michelle and Patrick present anecdotes from their own life so that you can relate to them each step of the way–and they are absolutely adorable. You can feel their love and if anything, they give a great example of a strong, loving couple where humor is key. The interactive workshop keeps you attentive and the emphasis on confidentiality allows you to feel comfortable enough to really open up.

My husband and I are both very quantitative, so we loved that everything was based on scientific research and not cheesy concepts. Meanwhile, the location at Fort Mason Center (within sight of the Golden Gate Bridge) is breath-taking, right next to the water which allows for reflective moments with your significant other. Finally, the Gannons generously offered their private coaching throughout the session which helped enhance the overall experience.
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND this course to couples who are on the path toward marriage, are engaged or are newlyweds.

Jackie & Adam- March, 2009

Spending a weekend with Patrick and Michelle at Marriage Prep 101 was fantastic! We would highly recommend the program to any couple seeking to strengthen their relationship. When I first mentioned the workshop to Jeremy, panic buttons went off. “Talk about our relationship to people we don’t know?” We sat through the first part of the workshop and Jeremy was relieved to know you could speak up as much or as little as you wanted. The workshop covered everything from compatibility, expectations, family background, communication skills, intimacy, and commitment. The Gannons left no stone unturned.

By the end of day two, Jeremy told me how glad he was that we had signed up for Marriage Prep because we had learned so much about ourselves and our relationship. We feel that Patrick and Michelle really care about helping every couple learn new ways to problem solve and to build upon the strengths of their relationship. Their sense of humor, honesty, and experiences from fifteen years of marriage made the weekend seem like we were learning from good friends. Thank you Patrick and Michelle!

Krista and Jeremy- March 2009

My boyfriend and I really benefited from Patrick and Michelle’s class for a number of reasons. Mostly, it helped us deal with conflict resolution which seems to be our biggest challenge, especially after having moved in together. We’ve been a couple for over 2 years and are happily looking towards making it official. Marriage Prep 101 was very helpful as we were able to identify our strengths, challenges and ways we envision our future once we are married. It also made us realize that our relationship is going to always involve effort and selflessness on both sides. We now know that we have the basics covered in terms of family, careers, finances, etc. But we also know that when we disagree, there are a variety of ways we can effectively communicate and find resolution while both feeling validated. Patrick and Michelle’s examples of how to best argue combined with their great sense of humor about their own marriage (which certainly comes after many years and two kids!) made us feel that not only do we stand a chance of making it, but that we can make it fun, romantic, and passionate as best friends for many years to come.

Thank you,

Sara & Evan- September, 2008

In the throes of wedding planning and seemingly endless lists of “things to do” before the wedding, taking a time-out to spend such quality time with one another at Marriage Prep 101 was hands-down the best part of this blissful process so far – and that says a lot coming from a details girl! The Gannons have done a commendable job creating a workshop that touches on a variety of aspects surrounding marriage and commitment with real life examples backed up by scientific research…and best of all, humor! It was so wonderful to devote that time just to US and to the importance of creating our marriage bond. And while we both felt very confident about our relationship from the onset, we appreciated the opportunity to talk through potential issues and “traps” as well as create a game plan for our marriage to get us started on the right foot. It was a way to build a foundation of communication and understanding that we may have not otherwise put the concerted effort towards creating had we not taken the class. By doing some simple excercises, it was amazing to see certain assumptions that we had about each other’s feelings and perceptions totally turned on their head, just by simply learning to communicate in a new way. Very enlightening and transformational.

Realizing that even the best laid plans often go awry, we feel ever more confident in our ability to communicate with one another and resolve conflicts “in the present” and have already reaped the many benefits of the workshop – even before our marriage has begun! We were deeply inspired by the other couples in the class and enjoyed sharing the experience with people in all different stages of relationships. We agree that this is the best investment that we’ve put towards the marriage so far, and highly recommend it to all couples seeking a healthy dose of relationship reality.

Victoria & Chris- August, 2008

Marriage is hard work even for the most compatible couples. We realized that anything we could do to bolster our chances of success in our future marriage was time well spent, and the Gannons’ workshop may be some of most important time we’ve spent together as a couple thus far. It’s inevitable that conflicts arise in a relationship – especially after a few years – and having the skills to navigate those conflicts constructively is one of the most essential ingredients of a successful marriage. We found the portions of the class dedicated to conflicts extremely helpful and hope that we’ll incorporate them into our own relationship toolbox.

We appreciated the Gannons’ concrete examples from their own marriage. They’re a typical modern couple with two careers, children, and a busy lifestyle. Knowing that it’s possible to make it work – and knowing that it is a lot of work – is sobering but also reassuring. Talking about the tough work of marriage can be intimidating, but the class’s atmosphere puts everyone at ease and facilitates positive, enlightening, and entertaining discussions.

Jody & Mark-July, 2008

My fiance and I took this course and absolutely loved it !It provides a neutral setting to talk about challenging issues in the relationship and focus on the resolution.You also get to reflect on many of your strengths as well. I found the instructors to be knowledgeable and real. They do not preach about how a marriage should work in theory, they talk about the tools we can all use to make a marriage work in practice. I would recommend this course to anyone getting married. In fact my fiance and I plan to attend the course every five years.

My advice, don’t wait until you have a conflict to discuss it.Chances are at that point one of you will be defensive. This is a great way to put everything on the table and talk about it in a rational way. Thanks again!

Karin & Bob- June, 2008

I truly believe that this workshop should be required for any couple on their way to the altar. At first I wasn’t sure if I’d feel safe expressing myself in a format such as this. But I really did feel ‘safe’ to speak honestly with my partner. What really rang true for myself and my fiance is the fact that the presenters brought up the term “intentional marriage” to describe a more proactive way of being married. I never thought of my future marriage in that way,but now it really makes sense. After this workshop, my fiance and I truly know where each of us stand in our hopes, views and intentions for our marriage. I know that we are in a better spot because of what we learned and overcame in the workshop. We will recommend it to anyone considering getting married. It’s INVALUABLE. It may be the best money spent during our entire wedding planning process.

Valerie & Chris- February, 2008

We really enjoyed the Marriage Prep 101 workshop. The format was a nice blend of learning helpful concepts and tools and testing them out through practical exercises. We really appreciated the honesty and openness of the instructors. Michelle and Patrick used their own relationship experiences as examples – we got a first-hand account of how they learned to use the same techniques they teach. This provided an authenticity to the material that you don’t get from instructors who simply lecture. By listening to Michelle and Patrick’s experiences, we also understood that many issues are universal – it’s how you maneuver through them that make a difference. The material from the workshop will definitely help us communicate better, especially around conflict.

Kunjal & Therese- November, 2007

Hi Patrick and Michelle, We’re back in Park City, and both wanted to thank you for the great weekend. It was everything we had hoped for as we rapidly approach our wedding day. Marie and I both agree that San Francisco is a wonderful venue, and wish to encourage other out-of-area couples to take the course. We used our free time to enjoy the sights and the great restaurants, while discussing the concepts, exercises, and studies you both presented. Like most couples, the time we spend together is often cloudy with busy schedules and daily dealings (and my 11 year old in the house), and we might never really be able to set aside time to work on our relationship. Marriage Prep 101 helped us to dedicate that time, with a well constructed plan of action. The Relate test, and the way you both integrate it into the curriculum, was a very useful element that otherwise would have been informative, but unintelligible – you made the science approachable. We both agree that the course helped us to discover new insights into each other’s thoughts and feelings, while also affirming the strengths in our relationship that will help us grow as a couple. In fact, we spent Sunday just enjoying each other’s company with a sort of relief that we had many of the right tools, and some new skills to use them. One of the great aspects of San Francisco is the diverse selection of restaurants and activities- far beyond what we can find at home. We enjoyed some great Italian, and a Korean restaurant (that was new for both of us) we took a Ghost Walk, and shopped for some awesome wines to take back. We hope other couples considering the workshop (or parents who wish to get them a great gift) will take our word and sign up. It is both time and money very well spent. Thanks again.

Ron & Marie- September, 2007

We are really happy that we decided to attend the Marriage Prep 101 workshop, and we felt that it was a very worth while investment in our future. We were confident in our relationship going in, but the workshop solidified that we are good partners and gave us some very practical tools that are going to be very useful for getting through challenging situations. We found the conflict resolution topic to be the most useful for us – the exercises gave us a way to talk about subjects that are usually more stressful in a very constructive way (money, how we incorporate religion, etc.), and it also highlighted some surprisingly simple insights – like the fact that you don’t have to actually solve an issue in one sitting. The format of the workshop works great – the Gannons alternate lecture-style presentations with personal experiences and anecdotes, and give the couples plenty of time and good structure to go through individual exercises. As a result, the whole experience feels very productive without being too long or overwhelming. Finally, we appreciated that the workshop doesn’t have a religious affiliation – something that was important to us because we come from different religious backgrounds.

Thank you for a great experience, and we highly recommend Marriage Prep 101 to anyone who wants to strengthen their relationship!

Nina & Forrest- September, 2007

Hello Patrick and Michelle,

Pete and I want to let you know how much your Marriage Prep 101 workshop has helped us to realize what we want from our marriage–and that we are on the right path to making that happen. We know that we have decided to marry for myriad of reasons, but knowing what we want from each other sometimes gets nebulous. Your exercises in class helped to clarify our expectations and helped us to define goals for what we want our marriage to be. By the time Pete and I sat down and discussed our the “keys” and “goals” when we created out Marriage Bond, we understood that what we wrote was not just a confirmation of values we shared, but a lifetime gameplan for how to make our marriage last.I especially enjoyed the language of love exercise. I have even played the game with other couples (married and unmarried) and they too have found it interesting. Thank you for providing a way for couples to explore and appreciate their similarities and differences, enabling them to find healthy ways to build companionship and love.

Sincerely,

Yukie and Pete

Hi Michelle and Patrick,

Andree and I are your biggest fans!

We got so much out of your Marriage Prep 101 class. We believe we have a solid relationship with very few issues. But your course gave us the tools to fine tune our communication skills and taught us how to identify our differences in a positive manner. Andree and I agree that we should take a class similar to yours every few years just to stay the course.As a family law attorney, I see couples at the end of their relationship. I makes me sad to think what could have been had they gotten off on the right track by using the skills we learned in Marriage Prep 101. And we thought the content of your course would be helpful to ALL couples, not just engaged and newlywed couples.Please keep us in mind if we can be of any assistance to you or Marriage Prep 101. Thanks again for a great workshop!

Sincerely,

Michael & Andree

We were very happy with our experience attending Marriage Prep 101 workshop in July. We had previously attended Engagement Encounter, the workshop required by the Catholic church. We decided to attend Marriage Prep 101 also because we felt we would benefit from a scientific-based approach to creating a healthy foundation for our marriage. The fact that the Gannon’s are both psychologists in addition to being parents was a big plus for us. We were both impressed with their use of studies to support fundamental points throughout the workshop. The Gannons’ approach was more comprehensive and focused more on the relationship aspect of creating a healthy marriage instead of the child-rearing aspect, which the church workshop focused on. We both felt we learned many valuable tools for improving the quality of our relationship, especially communication with the 5 Languages of Love’ exercise and learning how to slow the communication process down. We found the Fort Mason location on the beautiful San Francisco waterfront very relaxing and a terrific environment in which to learn. We are confident the time and money invested in the workshop will pay off handsomely over the next 50 years.

Peter & Emmy

We signed up for Marriage Prep 101 because we liked the idea of taking a marriage prep course from folks who (1) are happily married, (2) are licensed psychologists, and (3) use a research-based, secular approach. We were not interested in a religious approach to marriage preparation. As it turned out, we liked everything about Marriage Prep 101, starting with the online relationship questionnaire we took before the workshop. We reviewied the 21 page report and how we answered the questions and discussed what they meant for us. In the workshop itself, we particularly appreciated the role-playing exercises we did with earch other to try out new ways of communicating. We also learned a lot from hearing how the Gannons and other couples have resolved various relationship issues. Marriage Prep 101 was educational, practical and thoroughly enjoyable and more than lived up to its advertised billing.

Mark & Carrie

Marriage Prep 101 is a wonderful, practical and inspiring workshop that teaches couples how to create their own “dream” marriage. We learned that successful marriages are created over time and don’t just happen–no matter how in love you are right now!

We went into the workshop (May, 2002) feeling very confidant about our relationship and came out of it with so much more than we ever expected. It affirmed our strengths but also identified areas that we could do better at.

Michelle and Patrick are natural presenters who have created an easy, comfortable atmosphere in which to share their knowledge. They have a unique skill in presenting information in an engaging, clear way that makes it easy to apply to your own relationship. The workshop is organized around seven relationship skills that serve as the foundation for a healthy marriage. We liked that the program is based on research and there was no religious content.

Couples build their own customized Marriage Bonds as they go through the workshop and learn about themselves and their relationship. We were encouraged to play to our stengths, be aware of our challenge areas, identify behavioral keys that need change and create a set of marital goals that gives direction and purpose to what we want to achieve in our marriage. We liked that there is plenty of room for individual differences in their program and couples were encouraged to create their own vision of what they want their marriage to be.

We found the communications skills training the most helpful. The Gannons presented several tools and techniques in a very thorough, step-by-step fashion. We then practiced these tools with our partner to communicate more clearly and listen more carefully. The Gannons also demonstrate ideas and skills using examples from their own married and family life. They do some very funny role play situations that capture the complexities of modern relationships! Also, their self-disclosure and interpersonal banter creates a level of safety, openness and informality that is contagious and allows for more openness with your partner.

Overall, we felt that Marriage Prep 101 was an invaluable experience that we strongly recommend for ANY couple, married or not. The workshop was first class all the way with plenty of refreshments, great catered lunch, easy to use workbooks and numerous personal touches that the Gannons pull off with their obvious love and humor for each other! The Take Home Message?

Do yourself and your partner a favor and TAKE THIS WORKSHOP!

Catherine & Aaron