About the Conference

The Art and Science of Making Marriage Flourish conference is centered on the research-based findings by The Gottman Institute. Gottman is a widely-respected research group and their empirical work has led to developing proven principles for what makes relationships work. This conference focuses on the beauty of marriage and the research that helps marriage flourish.

Gottman research is not faith-based, and while the First Baptist Church of Davis is hosting this conference, there will be a culture of respect and openness for the entire spectrum of diversity in our Davis community. All couples are welcome. This conference is applicable for partners who are not married, those contemplating marriage or engaged, those needing better conflict management tools, all the way to couples who have been married for a lifetime. In short, everyone. 

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However, if you are experiencing the following, this conference is not appropriate for you and we encourage you to seek support from a therapist or other professional: severe relationship distress, emotional abuse, domestic violence, active addictions (alcohol, drug, sexual, gambling, etc.), serious mental health problems in one or both partner.

In this interactive conference the format includes lectures and individual couple exercises where you and your partner will learn proven tools to (1) improve friendship; (2) develop fondness and admiration; (3) enhance romance and intimacy; (4) learn how to manage conflict constructively; (5) gain skills to address perpetual and solvable problems; (6) create shared meaning; (7) maintain gains throughout a lifetime.

Couples often wait an average of six years from the time they identify problems in their relationship until they seek help. By then problems deepen, opposing positions become more entrenched, feelings become deeply hurt, and the task of recovery is much greater. In addition, only 37 percent of couples who divorced sought any type of counseling or therapy. Additionally, data from the Davis Police Department indicates that in the past three years, domestic violence has spiked, and relationships are under more stress than before. 

The hope is that providing this conference based on the latest research about what makes relationships succeed, and what happens when relationships deteriorate and fail, couples will improve their skills and satisfaction.