This is a review for the in-person Love Workshop that my husband and I took over the weekend. Even with all the five-star reviews, I was still a little apprehensive about whether we could last two full days talking about our relationship. I can tell you now that when it wrapped up, we were actually bummed it was over. We were fully engaged in every exercise and with each other the entire time -- and honestly wanted more. That said, it wasn't easy. Over the two days, we went through a real rollercoaster of emotions. We brought up some of our most "stuck" issues and had to sit in discomfort at times. There were vulnerable moments and hard conversations. But that's exactly what made it so powerful. The structure and facilitation created a space that felt safe enough to go there. Gal and Liron are an amazing couple and wonderful teachers. They brought their own real-life stories and struggles into the teaching, which made everything feel authentic and relatable. The way they designed and led the course made complex emotional dynamics feel simple and inviting to engage with. I was also worried that even if I stayed engaged, my husband might get tired or check out -- it's about nine hours each day after all. I'm happy to share that I was wrong. We both fully participated until the very last minute and walked away feeling inspired and closer than ever. We are especially thankful that we now have a much better mutual understanding of our triggers and why we may have sensitivities in certain areas -- many of which have more to do with our childhood experiences than with each other. It felt like we got to know each other as our 12-year-old selves... and fell in love with them too. We've been married 18 years and are looking forward to 40 more together. There were about 15 couples in the workshop, ranging from under five years to over 30+ years of marriage. It was incredibly helpful to hear their comments and questions throughout the weekend. I highly recommend this workshop for any couple -- whether you're feeling stuck or simply want to take your relationship to the next level. It truly meets you wherever you are, as long as you're both open and committed. They absolutely deliver on their promise, and we feel equipped with new tools to connect -- even around the most difficult issues. We're so grateful we said yes read more

Very impactful. Marriage is a work in progress and the workshop /retreat was a chance for us to slow down and connect in a meaningful way- seeing the other and what they really want to say. How to avoid the same reaction that leads to disconnect in our relationship. The work we did obviously had an effect to our family as well my work. I feel more balanced, seen, and appreciated, and more connected to my partner read more

My husband and I hit a really rough spot in our relationship and although we are both therapists and in both individual and couples therapy, I was starting to feel hopeless that we could ever bridge the disconnection we were experiencing. We attended Liron and Gal's Love Made Simple Workshop. I entered the workshop with lots and lots of pain and disconnection. Through the weekend we were skillfully led through therapeutic exercises, supported by relationship experts in the room, embodiment practices to help us regulate and come back to connection, and lots of fruitful discussion in the group. After many many tears we left holding hands, kissing, and feeling connected and with more hope than we have had in a long time. I am so so grateful for the masterful space that Gal and Liron hold. I've attended many couples workshops as a therapist myself, and these two model the truth of vulnerable, messy long term relationship and how to consistently come back to love. I highly recommend their workshops, both in person and on line! read more

My partner & I were searching for a premarital workshop we could take before our upcoming wedding, as well as a couples therapist that could help us work through recurring cycles of conflict in our relationship. My partner stumbled on The Couples Center, and we were amazed at the incredible positive reviews. Well, we just returned from the "Love Made Simple" workshop this past weekend, the first to be held in person since the pandemic, and it was incredible. Both Gal & Liron are incredibly warm, empathetic, and knowledgeable, and you can tell that they have put an enormous amount of work into developing the material. I have read widely about relationships and individual therapy especially, and I was impressed at their ability to condense complex material into a simple yet powerful workbook. Over the span of two days, we learned about what we both value most in love, our deepest vulnerabilities, how those sensitivities lead to cycles of conflict, the dynamics of vicious cycles, and in the premarital portion, how to plan a life vision together. At one point, I asked a rather vulnerable question, and Gal & Liron decided to pause the workshop in order to work with us in front of the group, which was not only healing for us, but many others in the group shared that this teaching moment was incredibly helpful for them as well. We were also supported by their amazing cast of therapists, who worked with each individual couple throughout the workshop. We are excited to continue working with both Gal & Liron, as well as their incredible therapists. Don't hesitate to book this workshop or any other, whether you just started a new relationship or have been in one for a long time. This material is invaluable and we look forward to continuing to learn how to implement it in our relationship and beyond. Thank you, Gal & Liron, for your work, for your vulnerability, and for your service! read more

In my 22 years of marriage, I knew we weren't doing fabulously. Our communication was so-so. I felt we were going through the motions and I wanted to get back some of the feeling I had in the beginning of my relationship. I wanted a workshop that was close by and not too expensive and I liked the fact that Gal and Liron were a married couple of therapists. The experience was great and so was the location. I have been to some other workshops but this was by far the best one I have attended. There was such good content and I learned new ways of looking at my issues. I feel I have new tools to deal with the problems that will come my way. As a lifelong learner, I'm glad that there is cutting edge research to explain some of why we humans do what we do. read more

My wife and I are in our 60's and took Gal and Liron's "Breakthrough to Love" 2 day workshop. We both have done some couples counseling in the past and have spent conscious effort to deepen our relationship. We were both deeply affected by the various instruction and experiential exercises offered in the workshop. Gal and Liron have designed a way to learn on multiple levels, they offered guidance and provided many opportunities for us to deepen our understanding of each other. They both create a very safe space to explore and normalize all types of relationship dynamics. We both felt a deeper ability to listen and to love each other. This was well worth our time and money! Moby C read more

This review is on the couples workshop only. The Love Made Simple retreat is about 7 hours, 2 days in a row. When reading it that sounds like so long but let me tell you, it goes by quick. I believe the weekend was the best push for my partner and I. We were able to name patterns and styles we were somewhat aware of and others we never even put together. Doing that, allow for some relief and vulnerability, which was what we ultimately needed. The frame allows for you to learn the "why" before practicing the "how". Which allows for so much more awareness around how you communicate and connect to one another. He was very apprehensive and I was quite nervous about the experience but we both left feeling like it was the best decision we've made for us in quite some time. All couples there were warm and welcoming. The weekend is really about you and your partner which takes the stress of feeling you have to connect with others or "share too much". Everyone is welcomed to share when they wish if they wish. And the assistants (in our case MFT interns) were the best part because they assist you in focusing in on your discussion. It's like a mini therapy session during each exercise. It's amazing! We left feeling very grateful for one another. And also naming 3 other couples we felt would benefit from this experience. Don't hesitate, just sign up! read more

After searching online for the best couples therapy, I landed on The Couples Center and felt encouraged by the positive reviews, especially around their weekend workshop, "Love Made Simple." On top of all the 5-star reviews, I got a taste of the amazing (free) content they share for couples to leverage, especially during this tricky time when we're all quarantined together 24-7. I decided to pull the trigger and knew we were in good hands as soon as the virtual workshop started. Liron and Gal are extremely warm and authentic - you can really tell how much effort they've put into the workshop. They guided us through multiple topics, such as exploring our connection and identifying our blueprint for conflict. While there's no magic bullet for a successful relationship, I felt that I came away from the workshop with better fundamentals that I want to continue building on. It was worth every penny and I'm grateful to Liron and Gal for spending their weekend with us! I also loved the group format because when people share, you realize you're not alone and other couples are experiencing similar things. You're never forced to share though - they wouldn't call you out if you don't feel comfortable sharing. Logistics: It's a 3-day online workshop due to SIP - 3 hours on Friday evening and 6 hours on Saturday and Sunday with plenty of breaks in between. It was held on Zoom with breakout rooms used for private exercises with assistants/Gal/Liron to help guide you through your thoughts and emotions. This was incredibly helpful and one of my favorite parts of the workshop. I thought that the virtual format worked really well here because it was so private. I'd recommend The Couples Therapy for any couple looking to learn the right strategies for having a happy relationship! read more

I am thorough about researching mental health practitioners that I allow into my family's life with an open heart. I often wonder: Do they walk the talk? Do they understand systemic oppression like I do? Are they actively helping all peoples/families/communities (especially the most impacted by systemic oppression) be the best version of themselves? Reading the positive reviews of Gal and Liron's workshop, Love Made Simple, and watching their videos online was a step in a direction that would eventually nurture the way my companion and I speak to each other and heal intergenerational wounds that have haunted us for generations. I wish this opportunity of experiencing Love Made Simple for everybody who is willing to be vulnerable for personal and collective growth. The world depends on our home environments to be more at peace, so that we can be fully present for ourselves and the world that needs empathetic listening and healing altogether. When asked to facilitate a healing circle of my peers, I immediately thought to first ask: What would it feel like to make our connections more important than the issues before us? Thank you, Liron and Gal, for helping us honor the best version of ourselves. Our ancestors, peers and descendants benefit, too. read more

My partner and I have been dating for seven years and are engaged to be married. We wanted to go on a couples retreat to learn more about each other before this next step in our lives. After a bit of googling we stumbled upon the Love Made Simple Retreat. We came into the retreat a little unsure of what to expect, but left leaving more connected than ever before. There were couples from all sorts of backgrounds, different ages, and at different stages in their relationship. There were couples who never argue, couples who argue a lot, couples who have been together for decades, couples only together for a few years. Funnily enough through the topics Gal and Liron talked to us about, we found a surprising amount of things in common with most of the couples in the room. Some topics that we felt were somewhat unique to our relationship would get brought up in discussion and we'd look around seeing several if not most people nodding their heads in agreement. Throughout the two days Gal and Liron talked to us about several different topics for a period of time generally followed by an activity with our partner, there are a lot of opportunities to share your experience with the rest of the group which can be comforting and relieving but also you are never asked to share if you don't want to. Even just listening to what others share can be an enlightening experience. Also, another thing that I really liked is that you get one-on-one time with relationship counselors throughout the weekend, which personally helped us delve deeper into some subjects than we have before. Gal and Liron are fantastic and this retreat is something that you should definitely consider doing! If maybe you are a little on the fence about it or would like more information I would really recommend reaching out to them- I am sure they would be more than happy to provide you with whatever information you need. Overall, we genuinely think any couple could really benefit from this retreat. read more

TLDR: Gal and Liron's new workshop provided a lot of tools and insights into elements of our identities. When Chris and I took the first pre-marital course with the Couples Center our lives and relationships were changed for the better. We eagerly signed up for the new template-based course and it exceeded our expectations. I was excited to write a lengthy review of what we enjoyed about the workshop in hopes it could help others in their personal growth. Their phrase still resonates with me, "the best time to participate in therapy is when you don't have a lot of problems". We went into the first course intending to strengthen our current relationship. Little did we know we would uncover issues that we weren't aware of. Knowing these we were able to make changes that improved our relationship tenfold. Our goal in the 2nd workshop was to solve our problems by becoming aware of them. The couples center once again was a step ahead. We learned that as problem solvers, some of our parts won't be solved with a logical or analytical approach. We discovered the power of getting in touch with our emotions and not always be in our heads, which is a hard and abstract approach, but life-changing. We now understand why this was a level 2 of the first course as we went a lot deeper into what shapes us in both a positive and negative way. Just like the previous course Gal and Liron have built a comprehensive session with digestible tools we reference regularly. Each exercise was expertly laid out to make complicated ideas clear and was a stepping stone to a larger understanding. Even the most simple activity had the biggest impact on us. They also made some shifts to the structure so we had more time with one on one sessions with assistants, who did an excellent job of helping us process the material. Instead of just becoming aware of problems, we became aware of deep-seated parts of our whole and acknowledging that they are the makeup of our identity, beliefs, and reactions. Knowing this empowered us to be able to be mindful of decisions, rather than just living by spontaneous reactions. This awareness was especially important to do together as partners to increase our empathy and understanding of each other. Previously we discovered how autonomous we were and the impacts it had on our connection. This time around we acknowledged our problem solving and analytic nature, which might prove effective in our day-to-day responsibilities, but could often impair our emotional connections. It doesn't mean we need to stop solving problems, but to at least be mindful of that habit and check that it is appropriate for that situation. The Couples Center is a true gift and the work Gal and Liron are doing is fantastic. We love their passion for helping others and their psychology skills are terrific. We look forward to future workshops. Thank you. read more

My fiancé and I cannot say enough positive things about the premarital Love Made Simple retreat we participated in through the couples center. I did a lot of research before we chose the retreat for us and the reviews of the retreat with the couples center and the information provided by staff I spoke to prior to us signing up made it an easy decision. We obtained valuable information and skills from the retreat, which included solidifying we had the same vision and values prior to our upcoming wedding as well as conflict resolution skills and how to best communicate with one another through life's up and downs. Thank you Gal, Liron, and team for being a part of our journey to the altar! Everyone present at the retreat was kind, professional, and helpful. I anticipate we will be back again in the future for "tune-ups". read more

Loved, loved, loved the 2-day Couples Workshop and Niran & Gal. Needless to say, this workshop proved to be SO much more than we expected, and it helped us tremendously. The first thing I felt when we walked into the room was relief. I don't know why, but I feel sometimes that we are the only people struggling, but it was clear that everyone was there for similar reasons. It felt more like personal counseling than being lectured. Information provided was presented in a very down to earth & practical fashion- no dramatics, thank god. We look forward to seeing this lovely couple again in the future for more techniques to help us grow together as a couple. Thank you both, and your great support counselors you had present! Loved that. Did not expect at all. read more

Being vulnerable and admitting you need help, especially with matters of the heart, is a huge risk. Factor in that you'll be feeling those emotions in a room full of strangers makes it incredibly intimidating. Funnily enough, the Love Made Simple workshop was referred to me by my ex-husband and his new wife, both of whom I trust implicitly. I think people (like me) conjure up a lot of Kumbaya and 'let's hug it out' moments with couples therapy, but this truly wasn't the case at all. My partner and I have been going through a very rough time. On the verge of splitting up for some time now. He had a lot of anxiety about attending this workshop with me and we at the last minute almost didn't go. But we both found it to be incredibly impactful, insightful, profound, and quite honestly, has given our relationship new life. It was a perfect combination of science-based analogies and conflict strategies delivered in a very digestible and pared down way, combined with helpful breathing and meditation exercises, combined with exercises that may push you to an uncomfortable place, but all the while there are incredible and supportive therapists in the room there to help you through each and every challenge. Gal and Liron have clearly put a lot of thought, time, and care into the curriculum of the workshop and it shows. They are living proof of their own practice and it's inspiring. Don't second guess it. Just do it. When is the last time you devoted an entire weekend to the health of your relationship? It's worth every penny and then some. Thank you, Couples Center. We'll see you at phase II. read more

Life changing! -- I've known my husband for 16 years yet I still discovered so much about him during the couples workshop. I wish we discovered this workshop and the tools Gal and Liron provided to us sooner in our relationship. But I am forever grateful for discovering and participating in one recently. -- First of all, my husband isn't the type to ask or want to participate in therapy. So I was so glad they offered the 2 day weekend workshop format. I felt I could pitch the idea to him much easier than couples counseling. I called it "couples retreat" for a weekend! Then, we got there and my husband was still thinking why was he there and going through this. But the format was comfortable, inviting, and allowed for everyone to be vulnerable. He opened up! I was shocked myself. -- To be honest, I was timid in writing a public review because it will reveal we needed help. But I felt I owed it to Gal and Liron and to any couples needing a bit of help to really consider their "couples retreat." It has been amazing! I can't thank Gal and Liron enough for what they are teaching and providing to couples everywhere. -- Gal and Liron's idea of a "couples" school is definitely what all communities, societies, and cultures need. In school and many educational workshops, we are constantly trained on how to do a better job at work or enhance our careers. No where can you find help in building relationships and connections. As they all say it's emotional intelligence that brings you far in life and not IQ. The idea of a couples school or emotional intelligence school is brilliant and much needed. -- With much gratitude, L+B read more

To explain my experience in one word is WOW. We just finished the class and I can't even explain how much my husband and I have learned about one another. Going into this experience I had no idea what to expect or what our issue was but I knew we needed help. A little background... my husband and I met in rehab and to say the least we have been thru hell and back and against all odds stuck by each other's side through the worst of times. We have an amazing connection but are awful at communicating. The material provided along with the many hands on exercises really opened my eyes to where we were losing each other. Learning that how I express and receive love is different than how my husband, which made so much sense. We got down to the real reason why we were arguing and what it was that the other needed. The instructors were amazing and really took the time to guide us. Even though it was a group setting we got individual sessions with the instructors and professional therapists. It was crazy to think that we have been operating in this relationship without the manual! I would highly recommend this workshop for new comers, old timers and everyone in between. Even if you are living your happily ever after there is no way you should wing this thing called love with out learning the language. Thank you so much Gal and Liron we are looking forward to the next workshop in October!!! read more

We were looking for some nonreligious, pre-marriage couples counseling. There wasn't any issue on our minds to be resolved, we just wanted to set ourselves up for a better future together as a couple. We found The Couples Center on yelp and were curious how they obtained an average five-star rating. After calling to find out our options, we decided to go with the 2-day weekend workshop rather than the weekly personal sessions because we liked the scheduling better and thought it could be helpful to hear insights from other couples. Boy, did we make a good decision to signup! Well worth the money!! After day one I already felt more secure in our abilities to communicate with each other about small or complex conflicts, simply because we both had mutual "training" and understanding from being in the class together. Gal and Liron created such a safe and welcoming environment of understanding and acceptance that even my super private husband felt comfortable sharing insights about our relationship with the group. They have a well-prepared and thoughtfully executed itinerary and helpful resources to guide the process along. It was engaging to hear their own personal stories as well as real life examples of situations they have helped couples grow through. We benefited from the bits of one-on-one attention during they offer during each exercise (and they make sure to have additional experts present so that all couples can receive this attention and helpful guidance). I could go on and on about things we learned, but you don't need to know all that. What you need to know is that you have found the right place. Stop looking. Call Gal and Liron. They will certainly be the place we go when we need any relationship guidance. read more

My partner and I had a thoroughly illuminating experience being in workshop with Gal and Liron. We work with Gal 1:1 and chose to invest in this workshop to accelerate our learning and up-level our communication habits as a couple. The skills based tools and guidance we received was a tremendous benefit that will undoubtedly support our growth as a couple. Because of Covid, our workshop went virtual, and though initially skeptical, I am really glad we experienced the workshop online and would recommend it to others. The virtual program allowed for deep intimacy in the privacy of our own home, working one-on-one therapists who virtually joined us during class exercises, while also providing a meaningful connection with the other workshop participants. It honestly felt like the best of both worlds, and I am so grateful to Gal and Liron for serving as our guides in relationship. read more

The Love Made Simple workshop was supportive and fun! I especially appreciated hearing real life experiences from Gal and Liron. As a therapist myself, I felt inspired and engaged. Recommend for all couples! read more

We learned so much from Gal and Liron's weekend couples communication class. They were very welcoming and along with the warmth from the other couples we felt very comfortable. We have actively been using the tools as discussed and expirenced during the weekend class and look forward to the next class to further build our communication skills. I have been excited to share my positive experiences with friends and family, both married for many years and also newly engaged looking for premarital counseling. Thank you Gal & Liron! We will see you soon read more

I worked with Gal for almost 2 years and can't speak highly enough about my experience. Having tried working with a therapist a few times I found a good fit with Gal's approach and methodology and was appreciative that I had the opportunity to work with him. I also had the pleasure of attending some of The Couples Center's online events that they hosted during Shelter In Place which were very high quality, helpful and attended by a lot of couples! read more

Hi Gal and Liron, We wanted to thank you so much for the course. We came to class exhausted because of we were in the middle of a move but I'm telling you you made such a huge impact in our life. That Friday morning Jeff moved into our new home and he had called me upset about the move, worried about our future. I felt the same way. Then we took your training and now we are full of hope and excited about our future. We loved having the assistants and the course work was wonderful. We will definitely be taking more of your courses and would recommend your course to any couple. Thank you, Alessia and Jeff read more

Take this course! My fiancé and I attended the Love Made Simple workshop this past weekend and feel more in love, happier, and closer than we ever have before. Because of COVID, our weekend retreat was moved online. To be honest, we were skeptical a "Zoom" retreat would be as energetic, safe, and helpful. But, as soon as the workshop started, all our fears were calmed. Gal and Liron's love and energy burst off the screen and the online setting felt intimate and comfortable. Gal and Liron are loving and sensitive people; all participants were greeted with such warmth and kindness. They created an environment for couples to share, be vulnerable, and feel free of judgement. For us a huge highlight was being able to "break out" of the large group and speak 1 on 1 with a therapist. Each therapist we worked with was zoned in; they truly wanted to help and, most of all, they gave my fiancé and me the encouragement and tools to "really" say how we were feeling in a safe way. On Sunday night, after the workshop had ended, my fiancé and I were laying together. He quietly said to me "I really liked this weekend." I was touched because he is a stoic man who so rarely accesses his feelings. I said "You did? Why?" And he said "I feel like I know "how" I can be better to you now. I have tools and now I don't feel completely lost on how I can be there for you." It absolutely warmed my heart and I have The Couples Center to thank. If you want a tune up, are struggling, are about to get married, or have been married for many years TAKE THIS COURSE. I couldn't recommend it more highly. read more

We attended a marriage workshop called, Love Made Simple. It was one of the best workshops we've been to, and we've been to quite a few. We appreciate the authenticity and vulnerability that Liron & Gal showed as facilitators. In addition, the amount of work and intentionality that was put into the workshop is very apparent. The frameworks covered are concise and taught in a simple way that can be remembered. The takeaways and tools given to us are also very useful. We'd definitely recommend the Love Made Simple workshop and look forward to any continuation of this workshop in the future! read more

We attended the Couples Center's AcroYoga date night. It was a lot of fun. It gave us a chance to try a new activity together, with some other nice couples. The guides were knowledgeable and supportive, and took us from the very basics to actual "flying". Gal & Liron where running the event making sure everyone had the best possible time. read more

Jason & I are engaged and wanted to do some pre-marital couples work to make sure we are on happy and fulfilled footing prior to the big day. Since neither of us are religious, I wanted to find something nice and science based that was secular. I found the Couples Center on yelp and thought it sounded promising - and signed us up to do a pre-marital workshop over a weekend in Tiburon! We live in San Francisco, so we just got a zip car and headed over each day. This workshop was SO GOOD. I cannot even describe it. It is set up as a series of small lectures, followed by exercises with your partner. As a person who works in tech, I have been to my fair share of workshops, and this is the only one I've ever been to where the time just flies by and I felt like I was constantly learning and growing. Jason & I both had a great time both days of the workshop. I would highly recommend it to literally anyone who wants to take some time to work on their relationship and reconnect and better understand healthy and productive ways to communicate and be happier as a couple. There was a wide range of couples at the workshop, and there was a mix of people who planned to do the pre-marital workshop (which was its own planning session the second afternoon), or to do the long term couples workshop breakout instead. As a result of going to this, I feel like I understand myself better, what I am looking for out of a fulfilling relationship better, and also I understand Jason, his motivations and what he's looking for to have his needs met, a whole lot better too. I think we both learned a lot and are super happy we went! As someone who is nervous about taking random workshops I learned about on the internet, I would tell you that you will have a great time; there is no weird religious or spiritual stuff that will make you uncomfortable; the workshops are science and study based and focused on a better practical understanding of how to have a great relationship. Obviously, if your relationship is in crisis, you should go directly to a counselor for 1 on 1 work. But if you are looking to improve a happy situation, or a situation that's pretty great but could use a tuneup, sign up for a workshop! read more

My husband and I attended Gal & Liron's couples workshop in February and I cannot recommend it enough. Though we've been married for 10+ years, in just 2 (intensive) days we went deeper in our relationship than we've ever gone before. The mix of individual exercises, guided discussion, and playful down-time (no long lectures) kept us engaged the entire weekend. Gal & Liron have a great chemistry together and a great teaching presence. It was fun - and personally challenging (in a good way) - learning from them. I would highly recommend the workshop to couples planning for marriage, long-term partners (opposite or same sex), and everything in between. read more

We went into the Love Made Simple workshop hoping to figure out a way to start feeling more connected in our marriage on a daily basis. We'd gone to 7 or 8 sessions of couples therapy about 6 months prior with a therapist in our local area, and it was ok -- but we really wanted a faster breakthrough that would lead to lasting transformation. So we decided to give the workshop a try, even though we weren't sure it would deliver the type of support we needed. Well, I'm almost at a loss for words because we were BEYOND blown away by the entire experience and how much our communication and sense of connection has improved since the workshop. Gal, Liron and their team created a truly safe, comfortable and fun virtual space for us to learn, go deep and grow together as a couple. Their insights and exercises helped us work through more in the first 1/2 day of the workshop than we did during all of our previous therapy sessions combined. And receiving personalized support in a private "Zoom Breakout Room" throughout the weekend was amazing too. We walked away from the weekend feeling significantly closer and happier in our relationship. And now, almost 2 weeks later, that feeling remains because we've been able to continue applying what we learned in the workshop. So, needless to say: we would DEFINITELY recommend this experience to any couple looking to significantly improve your romantic relationship in a short period of time. read more

This was a life-changing workshop. My wife and I knew we need help in communicating and better understanding each other. The intensive all weekend workshop by The Couples Center was *exactly* what we needed to move our relationship forward. My biggest take away was understanding that self-awareness is absolutely critical in ensuring proper communication with my partner; no more blaming, no more arguments, instead we are now committed to communicating genuinely, without blame, while keeping in mind how much we care about each other. Highly recommended for any couple, not just the ones having problems, I think even healthy relationships could benefit from the tools one could learn from the workshop. read more

This review is long over due. I started to see Gal last year when I was broken hearted. My husband announced to me that he had fallen for someone else who was our friend and my world crashed. Not only did Gal helped me acknowledge my sadness but he also made me see that my husband and my friend were confused people with their own issues that is separate from anything I could have done. His technique in therapy is so unique and different from ordinary coach therapy. When I cried in front of Gal, he asked me to close my eye and hold my heart which made me feel that it was time to take good care of myself in those tough days. He also made me see that relationships are only successful when couples see each other on an equal level and that it only works when two people are committed to each other. Now looking back, his point of view was so rational and straight forward but during crisis, one needs help in seeing it. I learned so much every week when I saw Gal that I really miss our appointments. Unfortunately I learned that my work provides mental therapy and he is not part of the network so I had to stop. But I do recommend Gal to anybody who needs anything. He is so different from all the others and one will learn so much from his wisdom and techniques. read more

We just attended the Love Made Simple retreat this weekend. It was Valentine's weekend and the perfect time to be there. We had some struggles in our relationship and we wanted to find a way to try to rectify them without continually hurting each other over and over. We didn't really know how this would be, but Gal and Liron were amazing. They made the retreat fun and easier than we thought possible. Don't get me wrong there were some very intense emotional moments and we got to know each other on a level I had never thought possible. I recommend this highly! Anybody should go... you don't have to be having problems to get stuff out of it. We are looking forward to level two! Thank you to the couples center and especially Gal and Liron. The assistants are also amazing! We had a great time. Thank you so much! Jay and Suzanne .... read more

Writing this review was important to me, which is why I tried writing it a few times in my head before I just let myself start typing. My partner and I met and started working with Gal nine months ago. I chose to work with Gal as I believed he was similar in background and culture to my partner. I remember walking into the conference room of my office during our initial phone call and trying to communicate that I felt like we needed urgent help. Gal did a great job of explaining to me that change does not happen immediately but that he would be happy to help us through pre-marital counseling. I am writing this review for a number of reasons, most important of which is if we had not met Gal and The Couple's Center, there is a large likelihood that we would not be engaged today. It was a challenging process where I was forced to let in the possibility that therapy would not end in a happy outcome. I always feel that Gal is fair and objective while still understanding how tied up we are in our emotions. Throughout the entire experience (and I say this as someone who is still an active client) Gal was professional, empathetic, articulate and direct with his advice and leading our communication. After seeing us work with a therapist, a number of our friends became curious and started asking questions about couples therapy. What made this especially profound is that these couples were ones that we never imagined would need or want therapy. Thanks to Gal and the time he spent with us I think that we will have a better and stronger relationship. I also feel like we can come to him whenever we need about a small issue or a large problem. I am very thankful we met him. read more

After hearing Gal speak we decided to see him privately. We weren't in crisis but both felt we could benefit from learning better communication skills and understanding what the other person meant or felt. What an amazing difference it has made. Couples don't even realize the toxicity of their communication/behavior patterns. Gal gets to the crux of things, he draws what he needs out of you to help you and your partner be stronger and more loving to each other. I can't thank him enough. People often have a stigma attached to therapy or they think it's so expensive. Give up something, a dinner out, your daily $5 latte and invest in your relationship! Divorce/breaking up is really expensive! read more

The Couples Center - My love of 13 years! - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me - San Francisco, California

I can't think of anyone better than Gal as a therapist for an individual or a couple. He's a listener and a guide. He's compassionate and soft. I felt like he could really see me and help me understand what's underneath it all. It seemed like there was nothing I couldnt talk to him about, even if it was criticizing him. I had Gal as my therapist for a while and he helped me through difficult times, he helped me understand myself and know myself, he gave me tools to cope with situations and introduced me to methods I never knew before. Thanks to him I can go deeper into myself and my relationship with the rest of the world. I also used him as a therapist for me and my husband we both felt so comfortable to talk about intimate issues and let him help us. Some people are just natural and Gal is one of them. read more

My husband and I attended the workshop for couples that was on a Saturday and Sunday. The workshop exceeded my expectations by far. It's amazing to finally feel connected again and be hopeful about our future. Everyone would benefit from this workshop! It taught us so much. We are so grateful we took the time to do this! read more

I attended the pre-marital workshop with my girlfriend a few weekends ago. Its a concentrated 2-day workshop designed for those in early stages of a committed relationship. The workshop focused on the four relationship fundamentals: awareness, deepening connection, transforming conflict, and vision & values. It included a good mix of presentation of concepts, group discussion, and one on one exercises with your partner and either Gal Szekely and his wife Lirone (both of whom are excellent counselors). We came out of it with more awareness of each other's point of view, as well as practical tools we can use to work on some long standing issues. Its not a panacea -- one weekend will not solve all the relationship or communication problems you might have. Instead it gives you the tools and the motivation to have a successful relationship, provided you put the lessons into practice. I would recommend it to any new couple. read more

I just completed a weekend long Hakomi training with Gal. I truly feel blown away by him: both by his mastery of the Hakomi method, as well as his overall ability to hold space and create transformative experiences in clients. I think if I were to come into a particularly challenging place in my marriage, I would most definitely seek out Gal for support. It seems possible that with the depth of work he's capable of doing, that a couple could experience healing and change in less time than with many other therapists. I would also imagine that he's an excellent individual therapist as well. I cannot recommend Gal more highly. read more

Awesome awesome awesome workshop. Extremely helpful, valuable, and hands-on (the most important part). Very welcoming environment and a well thought out 2-day agenda. Can't recommend their courses enough! read more

Josh & I attended Gal and Liron's couples workshop in Tiburon and are so thankful we did. We have always felt like we have good communication and a healthy relationship, but because we know that marriage (and life) can throw a lot of unexpected hardships our way, we wanted to be as prepared as possible to have a long and healthy marriage, and decided to do the premarital couples workshop. It definitely goes to show that everyone should be humble enough to admit that there is always more to learn, because we were pleasantly surprised with how much new information we got from working with Gal, Liron, and the other counselors. Going into it I thought that best case scenario we would both walk away with some aspects of our personality to work on. I was so so surprised by the content of the workshop, and how much it focused on communication and argument cycles rather than being an attack on anyone's personality or relationship. I feel like we walked away knowing each other so much better and having a way deeper connection, even though we have been together for five and a half years. I'd recommend this to every long term couple I know. read more

Gal gave a remarkable presentation at the NCGPS conference (June 2012) about cultural differences between the USA and Israel as reflected in the TV series "In Treatment". The feedback of the participants was very positive. I recommend him as an organized and impressive presenter. Haim Weinberg, PhD NCGPS president read more