Hold Me Tight® Couples Retreat
An Immersive Experience Designed To Transform Your Relationship
The Hold Me Tight® Couples Retreat is an intensive, in-person, couples experience created by Dr. Sue Johnson, the developer of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. This workshop is designed to help couples strengthen emotional connection, improve communication, and deepen intimacy by understanding and reshaping attachment patterns and the emotional bond between partners.
An Experiential and Research Based Path to Connection
The Hold Me Tight® Couples Retreat follows the process of Dr. Sue Johnson’s Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, the core structure of the curriculum. This program combines teaching, videos, group discussion, and private conversations between partners. Playful and experiential exercises are woven throughout the weekend to nurture emotional accessibility, responsiveness, and engagement.
Couples have ample time to work together privately throughout the retreat and do not share personal details with the group, unless they want to. The focus remains on understanding their bond and strengthening connection in a contained way.
This experience is designed for all couples who value their relationship and want to care for it intentionally. Some couples are preparing for marriage and want to ensure a strong foundation. Others have been married for decades and want to deepen what they already share. Many are struggling with conflict or loss of intimacy in their relationship and are seeking a fresh start and opportunity for renewal.
2027 Retreat Days and Times
Fall Retreat
November 6 and 7, 2026 | Friday and Saturday
Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Encinitas, California
Investment: $1,000 per couple
Register Here
Winter Retreat
February 25–27, 2027 | Thursday–Saturday
Thursday: 1:00–5:00 pm, Friday: 9:00 am–5:00 pm, Saturday: 9:00 am–1:00 pm
Location: Hotel setting in San Diego, TBD
Investment: $1,500 per couple
Register Here
Spring Retreat
April 29–May 1, 2027 | Thursday–Saturday
Thursday: 1:00–5:00 pm, Friday: 9:00 am–5:00 pm, Saturday: 9:00 am–1:00 pm
Location: Hotel setting in San Diego, TBD
Investment: $1,500 per couple
Register Here
Summer Retreat
July 22–24, 2027 | Thursday–Saturday
Thursday: 1:00–5:00 pm, Friday: 9:00 am–5:00 pm, Saturday: 9:00 am–1:00 pm
Location: Hotel setting in San Diego, TBD
Investment: $1,500 per couple
Register Here
The Seven Conversations of Hold Me Tight®
Conversation One: Recognizing the Demon Dialogues
Couples learn to recognize the negative cycle they get pulled into, and begin to see the pattern as the problem, rather than each other, and work together to interact in a new way.
Conversation Two: Finding the Raw Spots
Couples explore the triggers and sensitivities that get activated during conflict, so their reactions make more sense, and they engage in mutual and reciprocal compassion and understanding.
Conversation Three: Revisiting a Rocky Moment
Couples revisit an experience from their past, and have a conversation about it, with developing skills in place, enabling them to offer mutual grace, empathy, and care.
Conversation Four: Hold Me Tight
Couples engage in a deep conversation, in which they clearly express fears, needs, and wants, giving them the experience of reaching and responding with presence and connection.
Conversation Five: Forgiving Injuries
Couples work through a current challenge point in their relationship, or one from their past, by acknowledging the impact, offering reassurance, and make a commitment to rebuild trust over time.
Conversation Six: Bonding Through Sex and Touch
Couples deepen their understanding of how emotional connection and physical intimacy are interconnected so eroticism can become desired, meaningful, playful and secure.
Conversation Seven: Keeping Your Love Alive
Couples discuss how to create a new positive cycle and how to nurture ongoing patterns of responsiveness and repair so their connection stays steady and their love remains alive.
Your Facilitator
The workshop is led by Cristina Trette, LMFT and Couples Therapist. Her facilitation style is warm, honest, and up-lifting. She creates a space where couples can engage deeply. You can learn more about Cristina here.
Flying Into San Diego International Airport
The closest airport is San Diego International Airport (SAN), located about 30 minutes south of Encinitas, San Diego International Airport.
About Encinitas
We are located in Encinitas, just a mile from the beach. Encinitas is a relaxed coastal town in North San Diego County known for its beaches, surf culture, and walkable downtown lined with palms and local shops. With a holistic health influence, paths for biking and hiking, yoga studios, and a strong sense of community, it blends laid back coastal living with an active, outdoorsy lifestyle. Many couples, including those living within San Diego County, choose to stay at nearby hotels or Airbnbs to give their relationship the gift of distance from the demands of life to focus on their relationship.
How To Register
Advance registration is required to support a small and connected group experience. If you have questions about whether the Hold Me Tight® Couples Workshop is right for you, we are happy to help. You can contact Sierra to ask any question you may have at hello@cristinatrette.com or 760-640-0270. If you are ready to register now, click here.