Cartoon couple

Investing in Your Marriage... For Lifelong Rewards

A workshop for couples who want to find creative and effective ways to enrich their lives together.
Deirdre Knowles, MA and Kay Batt, BA

General Information

Kay Batt is married and has over 30 years experience working with parents and leading support groups as a parent educator. She received her BA in cultural anthropology from Evergreen State College in 1993. Trained in communication skills and mediation,she provides family education workshops, statewide, in positive parenting, effective communication skills, developing internal motivation, personal growth, anger management and conflict resolution. Kay has been married for nearly 40 years and has over 30 years of parenting experience as a mother of 3 grown children.

Deirdre Knowles has over twenty-five years experience working with parents and leading parent education and support groups. She received her M.A. in Psychology from Antioch University in 1992, where she concentrated in Family Systems. She studied Family Ministry at Regis University in Denver and also trained as a mediator. She conducts workshops throughout the state in parenting, personal growth, improving relationships, conflict management, and communication and training skills. She also has a private therapy practice in Renton, Washington, where she helps individuals, couples and families create more fulfilling lives. Knowles is the mother of five.

Stages of relationship: Predictable stages every relationship must go through if it is to thrive - and why they are important.; Romance; Power Struggle; Stability; Commitment; Co-Creation
How to get what you want: Plan ahead for what you want.; If you don't know where you want to go, how will you get there?; Everything is created twice—Why both are needed!
Build your Emotional Bank Account: Aim for 5 positives for every negative.; Your attitude - Why your intent is more powerful than your words.; Increase the physical signs of love and caring - More than just sex; Listening - "Feeling heard is so close to feeling loved that most people don't know the difference." (David Augsburger)
Building blocks: Frequent use of these make for a strong relationship; Support; Affirmation; Celebration; Rituals
Time for renewal: Create more balance in your life. The more you have, the more you have to give.; Social/ Emotional; Physical; Mental; Spiritual

Questions, comments, suggestions? E-mail me at dknowles@counselingconnect.com.