Enhancing Communication and Connection Through the Gottman Framework

Central Oregon Association of Psychologists

Regional affiliate of the Oregon Psychological Association

Enhancing Communication, Managing Conflict, and Deepening Connection Through the Gottman Framework

Presented by Laura Heck, LMFT

Friday, March 6th 2026 

9:00 am until 4:00 pm PST

6 hours Continuing Education Credit  

Location: Central Oregon Community College (COCC)

Middleton Science Center (room TBD) 

This workshop will be capped at 75 participants

Coffee, snacks and lunch will be provided

Workshop Overview: In this training, attendees will learn how to address the three most common concerns couples bring to therapy: communication, conflict, and connection. Every couple longs to feel seen, known, understood, valued, desired, and loved. Through the empirically validated tools and exercises developed by The Gottman Institute, you will gain the skills to create space within relationships where these emotional needs can be safely expressed and fulfilled.  Under the guidance of Laura Heck, a Certified Gottman Therapist and Master Trainer, you will be equipped to teach couples proven, practical, and effective strategies for building and sustaining a successful marriage. Laura has been teaching for The Gottman Institute since 2011 and is the co-developer of the acclaimed Gottman Seven Principles Program.

Learning Objectives:  By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Guide couples toward healthier, more connected relationships. 
• Use evidence-based interventions from one of the most trusted names in relationship research.

About the Presenter: Laura Heck is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Gottman Therapist, and Sex Therapist in private practice working exclusively with couples to manage conflict and deepen intimacy and pleasure.  Laura maintains licensure in Washington, Utah and Oregon where she meets with couples virtually. Laura is co-host on Marriage Therapy Radio with Zach Brittle since 2017, where straight-talking marriage therapists and guests tackle the most common complaints virtually every relationship experiences. Along the way, they reveal the science behind strong relationships and talk about what’s really going on for couples.

While in her role as Director of Professional Development at The Gottman Institute in 2011, Laura co- developed The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work Workshop for Couples. She continues to train thousands of coaches, therapists, and clergy around the world in the program. Laura often consults as a relationship expert for corporations and media outlets.  She has worked with Vanity Fair, HBO, Martha Stewart Living, Google, iHeartRadio, The Gottman Institute, Wounded Warrior Project, Space Force and many more.  Laura is a wife of 14 years and mom to a precocious eight year old, and loves to spend her free time camping, running/biking/swimming, cooking and chasing her pups through the wilderness. You can learn more about Laura by visiting her website: www.laurahecktherapy.com.

Costs: COAP uses an online registration process that accepts credit and debit cards. The lowest registration rates are associated with early registration, we encourage you to sign up early to make sure you have a spot.  This workshop is limited to the first 75 participants who register.

Registered by 2/13/26

COAP Member:  $135

Non COAP Member:  $150

Registered after 2/13/26

COAP Member: $145

Non COAP Member:  $160

Student Rate $60

*Membership in COAP is limited to Central Oregon based active and retired psychologists, residents, and psychologist associates. You must be current with COAP dues to register at the membership rate. Yearly COAP dues are $25 and are collected in September via Cheddar Up website (a small fee will be charged by cheddar up). Please use this link to pay dues: https://coap-membership-2025-26.cheddarup.com/

We welcome all allied mental health practitioners to our workshops (at non-member registration rates). Receiving Continuing Education credit from your various Licensing Boards is left to the discretion of the individual practitioner. Please see note below about APA.

 **A $35 cancellation fee will be assessed for all cancellations. Registration fee will not be refunded for dissatisfaction with the training or for no-shows.  

Snacks, coffee, and lunch will be provided.

Students are invited to attend for $60.  Please be prepared to submit a copy of your student identification card as proof of your student status.

Questions can be directed to aW5mbyB8IGNvYXB3b3Jrc2hvcHMgISBvcmc=

Check out the COAP website for additional information   https://www.coapworkshops.org

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