• Announcements
• Feature Article: The Couples Circle
• Invitations
• For More Information
• Links to Us

1	F'ree Training:  Introduction to Relationship Coaching	Wednesday March 12
2	Conscious Dating Success Story of the Year Contest	Results are in!
3	Second Edition of Conscious Dating Book	Now Available!
4	Advanced Conscious Dating Audio Programs	New!
5	Conscious Mating Audio Programs	New!

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F`REE TRAINING:  
Introduction to Relationship Coaching
Wednesday, March 12th
9:00am pacific/Noon eastern

Learn how to coach singles, couples, and develop a successful Relationship Coaching practice, taught by RCI founder David Steele and his teaching staff.

Introduction to Relationship Coaching is a 90-minute tele-training that covers:

How to Coach Singles

• The Case for Relationship Coaching
• Five Stages of Relationship Coaching
• Top Ten Guidelines of Relationship Coaching
• Introduction to our ground-breaking Conscious Dating coaching program for singles

How to Coach Couples

• Important Facts about Couples
• Benefits of Committed Relationships
• Comparing Coaching and Therapy
• Commitment: The Path to Relationship Happiness?
• Coaching Committed vs. Pre-Committed Couples
• Solvable vs. Unsolvable Relationship Problems

How to Build a Successful Relationship Coaching Practice

• Seven Habits of Highly Successful Practitioners
• Top Five Secrets for Building a Successful Practice
• Top Five Tips for Marketing That Gets Results
• And more!

Your registration includes practical information and materials you can use immediately in your practice.

To register (it's f`ree!) sign up here

Please share with your colleagues!

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Conscious Dating Success Story of the Year Contest Results

For the two year anniversary of the publication of Conscious Dating: Finding the Love of your Life in Today's World here are the results of our second annual-

Conscious Dating
Success Story of the Year Contest

2008 First Place Winner- Patricia Drury

2008 Second Place Winner- Faith Meenan

2008 Honorable Mention- David Steele!

Check out last year's winners here

- Do you have a success story to share? Go immediately to www.consciousdating.com/contest.htm

- Know anyone with a success story to share? Please forward this information to them!

- Know a single who hasn't read Conscious Dating and is a success story in the making? With 6 months to go there is plenty of time to learn and apply the principles of Conscious Dating. Please send them to www.consciousdating.com

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Announcing- Second Edition of Conscious Dating Book!

The second edition of Conscious Dating has just been released. Here are some changes in the new edition-

• New sub-title- "Finding the Love of Your Life and the Life That You Love"
• "Conscious Dating" more clearly defined and explained in the Introduction
• Paperback (second edition is not available in hardback)
• "Dating Red Flags Checklist" added to Chapter 8
• Jeanette Ball's inspiring Conscious Dating Success Story of the Year added to the appendix

The impetus for the second edition was our distributor requiring a paperback version for placement in bookstores. As long as we were going to publish a paperback version, it seemed like a good idea to update the book with the new material developed since publication.

The first edition hardback and CD is still available on our website at www.consciousdating.com and Amazon.com.

The second edition is now available at BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon.com as well as bookstores around the country.

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Announcing:
Conscious Mating Audio Programs

Is your client dating someone and wondering-
"Is this the right relationship for me?"

Our Conscious Mating Audio Programs provide detailed, comprehensive strategies for dating and mating, addressing all the relationship and decision-making challenges that arise when your client is in the pre-commitment stage of a relationship.

These audio programs are recorded from our live tele-seminars and include the MP3 audio file for playing on your computer, MP3 player (iPod or other), or burning onto a CD, AND a complete PDF transcript for following along and making notes.

Program #1- Is This the Right Relationship for Me? Introduction to the Pre-commitment Stage

Program #2- Am I Ready to Be a Couple?

Program #3- Finding Lasting Love by Experiencing Your Experience

Program #4- Should We Live Together?

Program #5- Dealing With Our Baggage

Program #6- Are We Compatible?

Program #7- Sharing Our Vision

Program #8- Deciding "Is This The One?"

Program #9- When We Must Say Goodbye

Check them out at www.ConsciousMatingAudio.com

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Advanced Conscious Dating Strategies

These programs provide advanced information, strategies, and tips to help you to help your single clients.

Each program includes the MP3 audio recording, complete written transcript, and Study Guide to follow along and take notes.

Program #1- Are You Ready for Love?

Program #2- Being The Chooser

Program #3- Ten Steps for Finding Your Soul Mate

Program #4- Conscious Dating: How to Connect to Your Life Vision

Program #5- Conscious Dating for Boomers: Finding Love After 50

Program #6- Scouting: Where to Find Your Soul Mate

Program #7- Advanced Strategies for Sorting, Screening, and Testing

Program #8- Conscious Internet Dating: Using Your Computer to Find Your Soul Mate

Program #9-Conscious Dating at a Distance: What to Do When You're Attracted to Someone 1200 Miles Away

Check them out at www.ConsciousDatingAudio.com

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Feature Article:
The Couples Circle: A Powerful Peer Support Model for Conscious Couples

by David Steele

I first learned about the concept of a Couples Circle when I spent the weekend at Harville Hendrix’s ranch in New Mexico helping to form "Imago Couples International;" a new non-profit peer support organization for couples. In addition to benefiting personally, as a Relationship Coach I see tremendous benefit for participation in a Couples Circle for any functional couple who desires a fulfilling, conscious relationship. For more info see www.imagocouples.org

Since learning about the Couples Circle it was my goal to start one in our area, which we were able to do after Hedy and Yumi Schleifer's "Adventures in Intimacy" workshop for couples. One of my goals for that workshop was to connect with local couples who might be interested in getting together.

What is a "Couples Circle?"

I define a Couples Circle as a peer support group of couples seeking to deepen their relationship. In my opinion, being in a fulfilling long-term committed relationship requires sustained effort, and on-going support to survive and thrive.

Why is a Couples Circle Important?

Couples can go to therapy, take workshops, and seek coaching, but then what? While a therapist or relationship coach's agenda might be to work with a couple forever, that is NOT their agenda! Most couples prefer to get support for their relationship for a period of time, then move forward in their life without professional help.

I strongly believe that no-one is successful alone, I see the Couples Circle as the missing link between isolation and dependency upon professional help.

As a relationship coach I don't want my client dependent upon my support forever, and I'm invested in their continued future success. I believe recommending they join (or start) a couples circle for on-going support is a great next step for them.

And, as a therapist and relationship coach, while I don't desire to participate in on-going therapy or relationship coaching myself, I do desire a fulfilling relationship, and have found the Couples Circle to be a wonderful support resource for my own relationship.

How does a Couples Circle work?

We meet monthly for two hours on a Sunday afternoon, rotating our meetings at each other’s homes. The couple’s home in which we are meeting are the "hosts" for that meeting.

Our meeting format is:

1. Reading: Open meeting with a reading chosen by host

2. Appreciations: Going around the circle, each person shares with their partner 5 things they appreciate about them, the receiver mirroring each one, then 5 things they appreciate about themselves, which is also mirrored.

3. Dialogue: One couple conducts a dialogue, supported by the group. We use the format suggested by Imago Couples International here

4. Debrief: After the dialogue we share our reactions and give feedback

5. Planning: At the end of the meeting we plan the next date and location

We have five couples in our Couples Circle, and each meeting has been powerful, uplifting and good for our relationship. Everything that happens between one couple- a thought, feeling, want, need, appreciation, issue, etc, is usually something that touches us all, as the ups and downs of being in a relationship are pretty universal. We are able to learn and benefit from witnessing and supporting other couples going through what we go through.

It is important to note that each couple in our group has graduated from Hedy and Yumi’s couples workshop, so we have learned skills and tools that we use to dialogue and support each other effectively.

Each couple seems genuinely motivated to work on their relationship, is open and supportable to the group, and able to provide support positively and without judgment. I feel truly blessed to have them in our life supporting my relationship and they seem to be deeply impacted by our circle as well.

Joining or Forming a Couples Circle

I believe the Couples Circle is a simple and very powerful relationship support and development vehicle. As founder of Relationship Coaching Institute, Board member of Imago Couples International, and a member of a couple relationship, I would like to see peer-led Couples Circles all over the world.

However, the Couples Circle is not for everyone. Couples in trouble that do not have the skills to contain reactivity and follow a structured dialogue process are not appropriate for a peer support group and should work with a therapist. Though not required, I highly recommend couples desiring to form or join a couples circle to first learn dialogue skills, either on their own using self-help books or by participating in a workshop that teaches these skills (see below for recommended resources).

Recommended Resources

Resource #1

Great new book! Preventative Maintenance for Your Marriage: The Owner's Manual for a Couples Group

Resource #2
Audio recording of The Couples Circle: A Powerful Peer Support Model for Conscious Couples with Nevin Valentine, Darrell Holdaway, and David Steele

This audio program provides the format and specific instructions for how the Couples Circle works.
    MP3    

Resource #3

The Communication Map is a great tool to practice in a Couples Circle

Resource #4
Imago Dialogue Group description and format

Resource #5 To locate a therapist or workshop to learn dialogue skills- www.imagorelationships.org

Resource #6 Hedy and Yumi Schleifer’s "Adventures in Intimacy" workshops for couples- www.HedyYumi.org

Invitations:

1. In a relationship? Start a Couples Circle! Use the links above for ideas and information to do so. You'll be glad you did.

2. Pass along this info to your friends, family, clients and colleagues. Peer support for couples is an important and powerful key to on-going relationship success.

3. Support the early formation of Imago Couples International by joining as a Charter Member, and pass this along to other like-minded couples. More info here

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David Steele, MA, LMFT is founder of Relationship Coaching Institute and author of the ground-breaking new book for singles Conscious Dating: Finding the Love of Your Life in Today's World. www.ConsciousDating.com

© 2008 Relationship Coaching Institute– All rights reserved.

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Invitations

Invitation #1
Please share this newsletter with a colleague.  There is a tremendous need for our services, and we need to work together. Relationship Coaching is in its infancy, and we must collaborate to build our market niche and position as a resource of wide appeal for anyone who wants a successful relationship.

Invitation #2
I invite you to listen to the following introductory recordings 24 hours a day at your convenience by visiting http://www.relationshipcoachinginstitute.com/audio/index.htm

• Commitment: The Secret Ingredient to Relationship Happiness
• Introduction to Relationship Coaching
• Conscious Dating for Relationship Success
• Conscious Mating: Is This the Right Relationship for Me?
• And more!

Invitation #3
I invite you to join our f`ree Introduction to Relationship Coaching tele-training.

Invitation #4
To subscribe to this newsletter, our newsletter for SINGLES, our newsletter for COUPLES, or our GETTTING CLIENTS newsletter, visit
http://www.relationshipcoachinginstitute.com/forms/subscribe.htm

Invitation #5
To learn more about Relationship Coaching this article is a great place to start-
Relationship Coaching: New Hope for Singles and Couples

Invitation #6
To learn more about Relationship Coaching Institute check out-
RCI: More Than Relationship Coaching Training

How do you like our newsletter? Your feedback is welcome!  Until next time....

Best regards,
David Steele, MA, LMFT
Relationship Coach
CEO and Founder of Relationship Coaching Institute
David@RelationshipCoachingInstitute.com
http://www.RelationshipCoachingNetwork.org
http://www.RelationshipCoachingInstitute.com
http://www.BuildingYourIdealPractice.com
http://www.PrivatePracticeMarketingPodcast.com
http://www.PrivatePracticeMagic.com
http://www.privatepracticemarketingonabudget.com
http://www.consciousrelationshipresources.com
http://www.ConsciousRelationshipSeminars.com
http://www.ConsciousRelationshipArticles.com
http://www.ConsciousRelationshipPodcast.com
http://www.ConsciousRelationshipSpeaker.com
http://www.ConsciousDating.com
http://www.ConsciousDating.org
http://www.ConsciousDatingSeminars.com
http://www.ConsciousDatingTeleClinic.com
http://www.consciousmating.com
http://www.consciousmating.org
http://www.PartnersInLife.org
http://www.DavidSteeleOnline.com
http://www.myspace.com/davidasteele
Telephone:  888.268.4074

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For More Information

For Past Issues of this Newsletter
http://www.relationshipcoachinginstitute.com/newsletter/archive.htm

Our Purpose
The purpose of this newsletter is to connect, support each other, inform, and build a strong community of coaches dedicated to helping people find fulfillment in their lives and relationships.

This monthly newsletter is written for the benefit of RCI Relationship Coaches, and is available to interested others. Feel free to share this with a colleague. Your submissions and feedback are welcome!

Our Mission
To provide the tools, information and support to help singles find the love of their life and the life that they love, and to help couples co-create fulfilling and lasting Life Partnerships.

Copyright Notice
This newsletter is copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Feel free to share with others as long as our contact information and authorship is included.
U.S. Library of Congress ISSN#:1530-3055

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Links to Us

Relationship Coaching Institute
F`ree introductory training!
http://www.relationshipcoachinginstitute.com

BuildingYourIdealPractice.com
F`ree monthly tele-seminars!
http://www.buildingyouridealpractice.com

Conscious Dating for Singles
F`ree audio programs, e-programs, and more!
www.ConsciousDating.org

Partners in Life for Couples
F`ree audio programs, e-programs, and more!
www.PartnersInLife.org

F`ree Monthly Conscious Relationship Tele-Seminar Series
www.ConsciousRelationshipSeminars.com

F`ree Conscious Relationship Audio Programs
www.ConsciousRelationshipPodcast.com

F`ree Conscious Dating Tele-Seminar Series for Singles
www.ConsciousDatingSeminars.com

F`ree Conscious Dating Tele-Clinic for Singles
www.ConsciousDatingTeleclinic.com

Member of Relationship Coaching Network
F`ree resources for singles, couples and professionals
http://www.relationshipcoachingnetwork.org

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