DIY Relationship Workshops
- Yvette E. McDonald, LCSW-QS, CMNCS
- Nov 16, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 26
Update: October 25, 2025
2 Ways to Strengthen Your Relationship Without Leaving Home
We’ve all seen marriage retreats or couples workshops pop up and then immediately ruled them out because of timing, cost, childcare, or simply not wanting to be vulnerable in a group setting. Life is busy, complicated, and full.
But what if growth didn’t require getting away?
What if you could intentionally invest in your relationship without leaving home — one small, creative step at a time?
That’s where the idea of a DIY Relationship Workshop comes in.
Where the Idea Came From
Years ago, I heard a psychologist describe how he and his wife intentionally worked on their marriage each year. Every January, they would sit down together, identify one or two areas they wanted to strengthen, and then dedicate the next 12 months to learning, practicing, and applying new tools — what he called bibliotherapy, or “book-based growth.”
One year they focused on communication. Another, they explored emotional intimacy (which, by the way, is so much more than physical intimacy). Each year became its own themed workshop — not in a retreat center, but in their living room.
When I heard this, it immediately clicked for me: growth doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little creativity and intention, you can cultivate connection right where you are.
Why DIY Relationship Workshops Work
Couples who grow together are couples who last.
Just like continuing education keeps professionals sharp, intentional learning keeps relationships emotionally strong.
When you dedicate time to shared growth, even if it’s just a few hours a month — you’re reinforcing trust, communication, and empathy. You’re saying, “We’re worth the effort.”
Below are two simple ways to build your own DIY relationship workshop at home.
1. Grow Together Through Books
Choose four books to read together over the course of the year, one per season, each focused on an area you want to strengthen.
Example:
If communication feels strained, pick a book that helps you understand each other’s communication style and emotional language.
You might:
Read together over coffee once a week.
Take turns reading aloud if one partner prefers listening.
Write reflections or discussion notes after each chapter.
The format doesn’t matter: what matters is that you do it together.
The goal is to digest, discuss, and apply the insights to your real-life relationship.
Need a few starter ideas? Try:
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work — John Gottman
Hold Me Tight — Dr. Sue Johnson
Sacred Marriage — Gary Thomas
2. Learn Through Video Workshops
If reading together isn’t your style, there are incredible online workshops and video studies that make growth accessible from anywhere. These platforms allow you to learn from top experts in marriage, communication, and emotional wellness, all without leaving home.
You can choose from:
Faith-Based Options: Platforms like RightNow Media and Lifeway offer biblically grounded workshops and studies for couples who want to grow in both faith and intimacy.
Research-Based Tools: The Gottman Institute provides virtual workshops, including The Art and Science of Love and 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work, perfect for couples wanting to strengthen trust, communication, and repair skills.
Neurodiverse Relationships: ADHD & Marriage offers webinars and past conference recordings designed to help couples understand and manage the impact of ADHD on relationships. The annual ADHD Couples Palooza brings together leading experts in ADHD and relationships for a week of powerful online sessions. It’s a fantastic option for couples navigating neurodiversity who want tools, insights, and community, all from home.
How to make it your own:
Schedule a weekend or a few evenings each month to watch and discuss together.
Pause the video when something resonates to unpack what it means for your relationship.
Take notes, highlight takeaways, and commit to one small practice per week.
Pause when something resonates.
Talk about how it applies to your relationship.
And most importantly, practice what you’re learning in real time.
Growth doesn’t happen in theory — it happens in the moments you choose to apply what you’ve learned.
Create Your Own Tradition of Growth
You can be as creative as you want, make it a cozy date night tradition, a morning coffee ritual, or even a weekend getaway dedicated to reconnection.
What matters most is consistency and curiosity.
Don’t wait for a crisis to work on your marriage. Think of this as “continuing education” for your most important relationship.
“A thriving marriage doesn’t happen by accident — it’s cultivated through intention, curiosity, and care.”
Your relationship deserves the same commitment to growth that you give to your work, your health, or your faith. When you invest in learning together, you invest in a love that lasts.
Reflection Questions
What areas of your relationship could use intentional growth this year?
What format works best for you as a couple — reading, listening, or watching together?
How can you build a routine or ritual around learning together?
What would “continuing education for your marriage” look like in your home?
Recommended Resources
Books
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work — John Gottman
Fight Right: How Sucessful Couples Turn Conflict Into Connection - Drs. John & Julie Gottman
ADHD & Us: A Couple’s Guide to Loving and Living With Adult ADHD — Anita Robertson, LCSW
The Couple’s Guide to Thriving with ADHD — Melissa Orlov & Dr. Nancie Kohlenberger
Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.? - Gina Pera
Streaming Options
RightNow Media (faith-based studies and workshops)
The Gottman Institute (relationship-building courses and talks)
Podcasts
Small Things Often — The Gottman Institute
Therapist Uncensored — Dr. Ann Kelley & Sue Marriott
The Love Hour — Kevin & Melissa Fredericks
Yvette is a psychotherapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-QS), and Certified Mental Health and Nutrition Clinical Specialist (CMNCS). At Nourivida Wellness, she helps couples and individuals strengthen emotional connection and communication through a holistic, neuroscience-informed approach. Yvette believes that growth doesn’t have to be complicated — it simply requires consistency, curiosity, and care.
