Strengthening Relationships Presentation Series
The Employee Assistance Program is proud to announce our Strengthening Relationships Presentation Series. This series is part of EAP’s Building Community Initiative. Join us monthly on zoom as speakers share their professional expertise on helping people strengthen their relationships, with a range of topics and strategies for intimate relationships, friendships, families, and coworkers. See a list of our planned speakers and presentations below. Sign up now on UT Learn.
September: “Saying No: The Art and Science of Setting Boundaries" presented by Sarah Porter, PhD, a licensed psychologist and founder of a workplace training and consulting practice on Tuesday 9/20 at 11:00 a.m. This presentation which will focus on when and how to successfully set boundaries at work. You will walk away with a simple decision-making framework and multiple techniques you can use to diplomatically field requests from supervisors and coworkers alike.
October: “Mindful Intimacy: Enhancing closeness and desire in intimate relationships” presented by Vagdevi Meunier, PsyD, a Gottman Master Trainer and the Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Relationships on Tuesday 10/18 at 1:00 p.m. After the New Relationship Energy (NRE) has worn off, learning how to resurrect or maintain closeness and desire may play a critical role in lasting chemistry in intimate relationships. This webinar will give you some tips on how to understand declining desire as a struggle for growth, how to spark chemistry in yourself and your partner, and how to maintain the energy in the relationship that first brought you together.
November: “The Rules of Modern Dating” presented by Shaina Singh, LCSW-S, Certified Dating Coach, Relationship Coach, and Sex Therapist on Wednesday 11/16 at 11:00 a.m. This presentation which will discuss how to date in this day of readily available dating apps, the etiquettes of dating, gender-based experiences and differences, how to set up a profile with photos that reach potential matches, what consent looks like in dating and so much more!
December: “Are My Experiences From Childhood Impacting My Relationships in Adulthood?” presented by Rakima Parson, LPC-S, RPT, NCC on Monday 12/12 at 11:30 a.m. When identifying and addressing patterns in our relationships, it can be helpful to look at our early experiences. As children, our interactions and perception of our relationships with our parents or caregivers impact how we relate to others when we become adults. In this workshop, participants will learn how childhood experiences with parents and caregivers can affect their romantic, professional, and familial relationships and how to create new patterns.
January: “Strategies for De-escalating and Managing Conflict in Relationships” presented by Veronica Leal, LPC, a Gottman Level 3 licensed therapist and founder of Westlake Couples Counseling, LLC on 1/23 at 11:00a.m. Couples have the same arguments over and over again when their complaints, preferences and longings are not heard and respected. This presentation will give you research-based strategies to interrupt the negative cycle and replace it with a positive one that will foster relationship satisfaction, trust and intimacy.
February: “Giving and Receiving Effective Feedback" presented by Sarah Porter, PhD, a licensed psychologist and founder of a workplace training and consulting practice on 2/16 at 11:00a.m. Join us for her presentation, which will focus on best practices for not only successfully communicating praise and constructive criticism at work but also responding well during these tricky conversations.
March: “Bridging Diverse Identities in Love” presented by Vagdevi Meunier, PsyD, a Gottman Master Trainer and the Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Relationships on 3/8 at 12:00p.m. Diversity makes relationships stronger! How can we harness the power of difference in intimate relationships to build intimacy, friendship, and shared meaning? Come learn how to build love maps, emotional bank accounts, and turn gridlock into dialogue even when you and your partner come from different worldviews and intersectional identities.
May: “The Power of the Parent-Child Relationship: Enhancing Attachment Connection" presented by Kat Scherer, PhD, Psychologist, educator, and co-founder of Austin IN Connection on 5/15 at 12:00p.m. This presentation is about a relationship-based approach to parenting aimed at enhancing the connection between caregivers and children. This approach integrates the sciences of neurobiology, attachment, emotion regulation and discipline. It also introduces the 7 essential attachment needs of children to guide parenting decisions. Sign up here.
June: “Neurodiversity for Neurotypicals: Love and Friendship across the Spectrum” presented by Kyler Shumway, President and Chief Clinical Officer of Deep Eddy Psychotherapy on 6/27 at 12:00p.m. Tune in to learn about human neurodiversity, the myth of "normal," and how we can learn to have better relationships by celebrating what makes us unique.