Hold Me Tight® Plus Couples Retreat with Horses

Set in the beauty of Oregon wine country, this immersive Hold Me Tight® Plus couples retreat offers a structured and experiential way to strengthen your relationship.

Rooted in the research of Dr. Sue Johnson’s internationally acclaimed book Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, this experiential weekend blends structured relationship conversations with powerful equine-assisted experiences.

Designed to help couples slow down, step away from daily demands, and intentionally invest in their bond, this retreat offers both emotional depth and embodied learning in a supportive, professionally guided environment.

In addition to the core Hold Me Tight® conversations, this “Plus” experience includes five facilitated equine-assisted sessions led by Eagala-certified mental health professionals and equine specialists.

Working alongside horses offers a powerful, embodied way to:

• Increase awareness of relational patterns
• Strengthen emotional responsiveness
• Practice new ways of connecting
• Experience trust, vulnerability, and teamwork in real time

No horse experience is necessary. All activities are ground-based and carefully guided.

Throughout the weekend, you and your partner will:

• Engage in guided conversations based on the Hold Me Tight® model
• Learn how negative interaction cycles take over, and how to interrupt them
• Identify deeper attachment needs and longings beneath conflict
• Practice communicating in ways that foster safety and closeness
• Experience meaningful connection exercises in both small group and private couple time

The format includes teaching segments, experiential exercises, equine sessions, and structured time for you and your partner to connect privately.

You will never be required to share personal details publicly. Emotional safety and respect are foundational to this experience.

This workshop is open to couples at all stages whether you are:

• Newly partnered
• Married for decades
• Feeling stuck in recurring conflict
• Wanting to reconnect or “fine tune”
• Looking to strengthen an already solid bond

If you are longing for deeper connection, clearer communication, and renewed emotional closeness, this weekend is for you.

• Hold Me Tight Plus® Workbook
• Education sessions led by a certified licensed psychologist
• Five structured equine-assisted experiential sessions
• Support from an experienced team of mental health professionals
• Light continental breakfast items, lunch, snacks, and beverages
• A serene, thoughtfully prepared workshop environment

Couples consistently describe this weekend as transformative, grounding, and unexpectedly powerful. The combination of structured relational conversations and embodied experiential work creates insights that are not just understood, but felt.

If you’ve been considering investing in your relationship, we invite you to take this step. Your relationship matters.

"If I had anything to say to someone questioning being here, I would tell them to “Take the leap.” It is most definitely an experience you will not get somewhere else and the environment alone can be enough to help heal your soul! It was truly one of the most connecting experiences that I have had with my partner ♥️" - Jessica

"HMT+ workshop was such an eye-opening experience and a great look into what was holding back taking our relationship to the next level. A great workshop for newly married couples to start out on the right foot and for older couples to fine-tune or reset. I walked away a MUCH better spouse for my partner." - Jeff

"I can’t put into words how this weekend changed me and my relationship with my wife but it is much better than when we started and it’s more so than I could ever have imagined. You really have to experience it and if you do I know you’ll be glad you did (and so will those you love!)" - Mikey

We understand that life can be unpredictable. Because we invest significantly in advance to create a high-quality workshop experience, including venue costs, food, materials, and staffing, the following policy applies:

Registration fees are non-refundable.

If you need to cancel, your registration may be transferred to a future Hold Me Tight® Plus workshop if we receive written notice at least 7 calendar days prior to the event.

Cancellations made within 7 days of the workshop are not eligible for transfer.

We are unable to make exceptions for illness, travel delays, emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances. We strongly encourage participants to purchase travel protection insurance if making travel arrangements.

Please note that we are not responsible for any ancillary costs, including lodging, airfare, or transportation.

We appreciate your understanding and your investment in this experience.

“Hold Me Tight®” is a registered trademark of Dr. Sue Johnson. Materials used in this workshop are based on Dr. Johnson’s international best-seller, Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love.

Info: Introduction to the first four "conversations" of Hold Me Tight® and opening Eagala Equine-Assisted session

Info: Conversation One: Recognizing your negative relational cycles followed by Eagala Equine-Assisted session

Info: Conversation Two: Finding your raw spots followed by Eagala Equine-Assisted session.

Info: Conversation Three: Revisiting a rocky moment followed by Eagala Equine-Assisted session.

Info: Conversation Four: Hold Me Tight - Strengthening your connection followed by Eagala Equine-Assisted session. Workshop wrap up.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Helping Hands Horse Rescue & Equine Therapy, 17250 NE Lewis Rogers Lane, Newberg, United States

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