James Fitzgerald Therapy PLLC

Course Overview

Relationships are at the heart of every person’s sense of belonging, happiness, and fulfillment. From intimate partnerships and close friendships to family ties and social connections, these bonds shape how individuals experience life and how they see themselves in the world. The Masterclass in Navigating Relationships offers a profound exploration of the art and science of nurturing healthy interpersonal bonds, guided by an integrative approach that draws on well-established therapeutic models.

The course is informed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for couples, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman method, Bowen family systems theory, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) interpersonal effectiveness and emotion regulation, and non-violent conflict resolution, this course delves into the essence of what makes relationships thrive.

It also includes a study of the groundbreaking works of Amir Levine, Rachel Heller, John Howard, Harriet Lerner, Roberta Gilbert, and Brené Brown, whose contributions illuminate how attachment, emotional expression, and personal growth intersect in the rich tapestry of human connection.

I encourage all participants to purchase a spiral bound notebook to use as a journal throughout the process, to reflect and take notes. I encourage people taking my courses to keep all their handouts and worksheets in 1″ wide, 3 ring binder. Online questionnaires, assessments, progress tracking, and journals will be available in Therapy Portal, and assigned by the course administrator.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Over the years, couples counseling and family therapy have provided profound insights into how individuals communicate and respond to stress, conflict, and vulnerability within their closest relationships. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for couples, as advanced by pioneers in the field, focuses on identifying and restructuring the unhelpful thought patterns that often lead to misunderstandings and interpersonal discord. By examining how distorted beliefs and cognitive biases can escalate conflicts or perpetuate negative cycles, participants in this masterclass will gain the tools to recognize the mental filters that keep them from truly hearing one another.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

The DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) modules in interpersonal effectiveness and emotion regulation will further equip participants with tangible skills for managing overwhelming emotions and interacting with loved ones in ways that maintain self-respect, foster genuine connection, and reduce unnecessary conflict. DBT’s emphasis on mindful awareness and balancing acceptance with change aligns with a more progressive view of relationships, one that values equality, compassion, and mutual respect over competition or rigid hierarchies.

Interpersonal Effectiveness, which focuses on helping the client develop skills to maintain balanced relationships, advocate for their needs, and preserve self-respect, all while nurturing mutual understanding. DBT Interpersonal Effectiveness attends to both the external and internal components of relationships. On the external side, it emphasizes direct communication strategies, boundary-setting, and assertiveness. Internally, it cultivates self-awareness, self-respect, and the capacity to remain present in emotionally charged interactions. These dual aspects allow the client to communicate effectively, without sacrificing their own values or disregarding the feelings of others.

A foundational Interpersonal Effectiveness strategy in DBT is often referred to by the acronym DEAR MAN. DEAR MAN provides a structured way to express needs clearly while also treating oneself and the other person with consideration. This structure consists of:

D – Describe the situation: Communicate the facts of what happened, free from criticism or judgment, so that the other person understands the context. E – Express feelings: Convey emotions and concerns calmly. A – Assert wishes: Clearly state requests or needs. R – Reinforce: Highlight potential positive outcomes for fulfilling the request. M – Mindful: Stay focused on the present goal, avoiding diversions or distractions in the conversation. A – Appear confident: Reflect self-assurance through nonverbal communication, such as steady eye contact and a calm tone. N – Negotiate: Remain open to compromise when needed, and recognize that collaboration can bring better outcomes.

Emotion Focused Therapy

Deepening the emotional bond between partners also requires the perspective offered by Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), developed by Dr. Sue Johnson. EFT for couples underscores the crucial role of emotional safety and responsiveness when nurturing a strong connection. Participants will learn how to identify and share their primary emotions and attachment needs, rather than becoming trapped in reactive cycles of blame or withdrawal.

In EFT, the therapist helps partners identify and express vulnerable emotions, such as fear, sadness, and hurt, that often underlie negative communication cycles like blame or withdrawal. These underlying emotions frequently drive relational patterns that lead to conflict or disconnection, but they can remain hidden when couples are stuck in entrenched ways of relating. By guiding each partner to articulate unmet attachment needs in a safe, structured manner, EFT works to transform distress and distance into mutual understanding and closeness.

The Gottman Method

This work is complemented by the evidence-based techniques of the Gottman method, which emphasize building strong communication foundations, shared meaning, and deep friendship within intimate partnerships. Grounded in decades of research by Dr. John Gottman, these methods demonstrate that small, consistent acts of empathy, validation, and support yield lasting relationship satisfaction. You will be asked to purchase a copy of Seven Principle for Making Marriage Work.

Central to the Gottman Method is the concept of the “Sound Relationship House,” which explains that couples thrive when they have a solid structure of trust, commitment, shared meaning, positive interactions, and effective ways to manage conflict. Therapists who use the Gottman Method guide couples to strengthen their emotional connection through specific interventions—such as helping partners communicate needs, validate one another’s feelings, de-escalate tension, and foster respect. The approach addresses common patterns that damage relationships, known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse—criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling—and works to replace these harmful patterns with gentle startup, expressions of appreciation, responsibility-taking, and physiological self-soothing.

Attachment Theory

This approach resonates with the insights of Amir Levine and Rachel Heller, who explore adult attachment styles in their book Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love. Levine and Heller’s work reveals how patterns established in early life can shape a person’s sense of security, anxiety, or avoidance in adult relationships. By comprehending these attachment styles, couples can approach vulnerabilities and fears with empathy, forging deeper levels of trust. You will be asked to purchase a copy of the book, Attached.

Attachment Theory is a psychological framework that describes how people form and maintain emotional bonds with others across their lifespan, particularly during childhood when relationships with caregivers are most influential. Originally developed by John Bowlby in the mid-20th century, Attachment Theory posits that human beings are biologically wired to seek proximity and comfort from caregivers as a means of ensuring safety, survival, and emotional security. In its earliest formulations, this theory focused on the parent-child relationship, proposing that children’s first attachments not only guarantee a sense of safety but also lay the foundation for how they will perceive, approach, and maintain future relationships in adulthood. Over time, the theory was enriched by Mary Ainsworth’s pioneering research, which introduced the “Strange Situation” procedure to categorize children’s attachment patterns into secure, anxious-ambivalent, avoidant, and, later, disorganized subtypes. These categories reflect patterns of behavior that are correlated with the degree of nurturance, responsiveness, and consistency that children experience with their primary caregivers.

Extraordinary Relationships

Recognizing that these emotional patterns do not exist in isolation, the masterclass also incorporates the systemic perspective of Bowen family therapy. Dr. Murray Bowen’s influential theory, further expanded by Roberta Gilbert in Extraordinary Relationships, clarifies how multigenerational issues, family of origin influences, and underlying emotional processes contribute to present-day relationship concerns. Participants will explore how the triangles that form within families and couples can heighten anxiety or foster healing, depending on one’s self-awareness and communication. By integrating these insights, individuals and couples will better navigate extended family dynamics, break destructive cycles, and develop supportive networks of care and understanding. You will be asked to purchase a copy of the book, Extraordinary Relationships, 2nd Edition.

The Dance of Anger

Fundamental to these principles is an understanding that healthy relationships require ongoing self-reflection and a willingness to address deep-seated patterns of shame, blame, or self-criticism. With Harriet Lerner’s work—particularly The Dance of Anger—participants will uncover how anger, when not addressed directly, can lead to cyclical conflicts that mask deeper issues of vulnerability or unmet needs. Learning to view anger as a signal for self-discovery, rather than a destructive force, empowers individuals to communicate honestly without descending into criticism or contempt. You will be asked to purchase a copy of the book, The Dance of Anger.

Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is the process by which individuals, groups, or organizations address disagreements or disputes in a constructive, cooperative, and respectful manner. At its core, conflict resolution involves understanding the underlying issues, perspectives, and emotions that drive tensions between people. It is grounded in open communication, active listening, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving. Researchers in the field of psychology and communication, such as Morton Deutsch and Peter T. Coleman (Deutsch & Coleman, 2000), have extensively studied how effective conflict resolution techniques can transform adversarial situations into opportunities for deeper connection, increased trust, and mutual growth.

Effective conflict resolution skills represent another cornerstone of enduring, supportive relationships. Here, participants will engage with Marshall Rosenberg’s principles of Nonviolent Communication (often referred to as non-violent conflict resolution), which emphasize empathic listening, emotional literacy, and the use of language that disarms rather than escalates.

Atlas of the Heart

Bending this arc of self-exploration even further, Brené Brown’s extensive research on shame resilience, vulnerability, and authentic living underscores the importance of showing up in relationships as a whole person. By normalizing the universal fear of disconnection, Brown’s work invites participants to examine their own stories of shame and to cultivate the courage needed to communicate with authenticity and kindness.

Brené Brown’s “Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience” (2021) is a resource that organizes and interprets emotions and experiences with the intention of fostering empathy, deeper self-awareness, and more authentic connections between individuals. In “Atlas of the Heart,” she compiles her research findings to create a “map” or guide for understanding the emotional landscapes that shape how people communicate, think, and interact.

The central idea behind “Atlas of the Heart” is that people’s ability to navigate their emotional worlds and relationships depends upon having a clear and accurate vocabulary for emotions. Brown argues that many conflicts, misunderstandings, and experiences of isolation can be traced back to a lack of linguistic precision or emotional awareness. When people only recognize a narrow spectrum of emotions—like anger, sadness, and happiness—they risk overlooking the nuance and complexity of their inner lives. This can lead to disconnection, superficial communication, and unhelpful coping strategies. Brown’s book, therefore, is both an educational tool and a set of reflections on how to build more robust emotional understanding. You will be asked to purchase a copy of the book, Atlas of the Heart.

More than Words

John Howard’s relationship teachings take these core concepts a step further by integrating attachment theory, neuroscience, and mindful awareness to help individuals become more present in their interactions. Through his integrative methods, couples and families learn not merely to solve disputes, but to transform their communication so that every shared moment becomes an opportunity for relational growth. You will be asked to purchase a copy of the book, More than Words.

Wrapping it Up

Taken together, these approaches create a tapestry of practical tools, insights, and frameworks that provide participants with the confidence and vision necessary to engage more honestly and safely with the people they love.

By participating in this Masterclass in Navigating Relationships, clients will learn more than just strategies for conflict resolution. They will uncover how emotional intimacy, healthy boundaries, constructive communication, and a dedication to ongoing personal growth converge to create the bedrock of healthy, fulfilling relationships. They will also come to understand that while relationships can be influenced by the social, economic, and systemic pressures in which they develop, compassion, openness, and mutual empowerment are possible when every person’s emotional reality is acknowledged and respected. A systemic, liberatory perspective that places emotional well-being and equity at the forefront can lay the foundation for healthier communities, families, and partnerships.

This masterclass respects the complexity of human connections. Its unique blend of cognitive, emotional, systemic, and mindfulness-based modalities is designed to honor the individuality of each partner, while reflecting the shared commitment to growth and sustainability that lies at the core of every meaningful relationship. With compassion and expertise, clients will be guided toward building deeper trust, healthier communication patterns, and a resilience that can carry them through life’s most challenging relational storms. Ultimately, this program stands as an invitation: an invitation for participants to transform how they experience, create, and sustain supportive, loving bonds, and to emerge with the clarity and skills to cultivate fulfilling, intimate relationships that celebrate the best of who they are.