Memories of a Lifetime™
“Our wedding ceremony was magical – thanks to you!”
“Cris gave us many new perspectives, tools and metaphors that are relevant to improving all our meaningful relationships. I wish we had taken these sessions earlier in our relationship.”
“Our ceremony was very beautiful, heartfelt and magical. We can’t say enough about Cris.”
“You’re amazing!”
Tools for the Life Adventure™
According to the American Psychological Association, 40-50% of marriages end in divorce. But, there’s a way to significantly improve our chances of success in relationship. Research[1] says engaged couples who participate in the PREPARE premarital education program, “exhibited positive gains in knowledge, felt more confident in their relationship, engaged in more positive conflict management behaviors, and felt more satisfied in their relationship.”
Using the respected PREPARE/ENRICH curriculum, as well as my own Couple Flexibility and Empowerment Model, I proactively open a fairly large door for couples. I want to give you specific tools for communication and conflict resolution, as well as a conceptual framework and shared vocabulary for personal change work that should serve all the days of your lives together. In a strength-based supportive environment, couples are encouraged to self-select their own subject areas of interest. A supplied workbook and coach suggestions offer opportunities for between-session explorations. Coaching integrates affect and archetypal psychology, recovery principles, mytho-poetic work and culture studies, among other sources.
Coaching happens in five 90-minute sessions above a bakery in a conference room in my SW Minneapolis professional building, or via skype. Cost is very small compared to what most couples devote to their wedding celebrations, and coaching could do much for relationship viability and enjoyment. At sequence end, I supply a certificate of completion that saves couples up to $75 on the cost of a marriage license in Minnesota.
I feel honored to have the trust of couples with whom I work, and of therapists who refer couples to me. I joyfully work with same-sex couples.
No charge for an introductory meeting at my local SW Minneapolis coffee shop or via skype.
[1] The Impact of PREPARE on Engaged Couples: Variations by Delivery Format; Futris, Barton, Aholou, Seponski; (2011) Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 10, 69-86
Creating Memories of a Lifetime™
A marriage or re-commitment ceremony is a family and community ritual that is for and about the couple who is in love. Also, it is about how all members of their families can be supported and encouraged at this time of major life transition. I encourage couples to find their own joy and emotional growth through this process, and empower them to support the joy and emotional growth of their families and community members. I do this through a coaching model that advocates for a safe space where creativity and emotional risk taking can happen.
I prefer working with coupled individuals who also enroll in the pre-marital coaching sequence because I believe in the importance of coaching for relationship success. Also, there are things developed in the coaching that can be applied during the wedding ceremony days. If you cannot or prefer not to do the coaching, and still want to involve me as a celebrant, please contact me and I will consider your situation.
No charge for an introductory meeting at my local SW Minneapolis coffee shop or via skype.
Relationship, Creativity, Personal Growth
I coach individuals and couples to make creativity and personal growth breakthroughs. Periodically, I offer group classes and workshops for couples and non-coupled individuals for relationship enrichment and revitalization, creativity and personal growth. Please forward your email address for announcements about upcoming opportunities.
Affection Enhancement Project™
I hope you find enjoyment and inspiration in these true stories about possibilities of relationship.
Video: Cabin Pressure 3
Another story from my premarital, relationship and creativity coaching.
Love Blossoms, Inspires and Prevails
Couples can start or renew their lives together with joy, heart, enthusiasm and optimism, and with the good and ample blessings of families and friends.
Through a premarital or relationship enrichment coaching sequence, I support couples to increase their capacity to enjoy each other and contribute to life together. I want you to have the tools you need to keep your relationship vivid and satisfying. I encourage couples to approach the coaching sequence as a grand revelatory adventure of the soul, and their wedding as a major family and community ritual that can be a soul deepening and beauty creating experience of relationship building and enrichment.
It is an honor and joy to be present with two people who love each other; and to help design and participate in a wedding celebration, based on their wishes that can be a deeply meaningful peak life experience.
I want you to have a wedding or commitment ceremony that happens with ease, grace, tenderness of heart, enthusiasm and joy, and that you remember with fondness for the rest of your lives. I’ve worked with individuals, couples and groups of diverse ages and backgrounds. I admit I’m a softie. I’m deeply in love with my wife, and two lovely and fierce adult daughters. I joyfully work with same-sex couples. Also, I serve at other life transitions, including bereavement/memorial services.
Most of my work is in the regional Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Also, I provide coaching via skype and have traveled to Wyoming and California as a celebrant. I do not make prescriptions. I offer tools and act from my values, volunteering my experience and knowledge in a respectful “take what you like and leave the rest” attitude. I’m involving myself in this work because of my enthusiasm, and the urging of family and friends.
BACKGROUND
I’ve been involved in coaching and celebrant work since 2011. I’ve pursued lifetime interests in creativity, sociology, psychology, spirituality and emotional health. I’m licensed as a wedding celebrant/officiant in Minnesota, certified as a PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator, and registered as a Universal Life Minister. My sources include Terrance Real, Esther Perel, Miguel Rivera, John Lee, Robert Moore, Robert Johnson, Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Michael Meade, Martin Shaw, Joseph Campbell, Martîn Prechtel and Malidoma Somé. Another source is my own 20-year research involvement in a community based all-process interactive participatory theater for enjoyment, emotional healing, gender reconciliation and community building, Big Woods Theater of Involvement.
I serve as a teaching artist (music/theater/poetry) in the pioneering, national award winning, research-based, intergenerational interactive participatory performing arts program for elders, the Kairos Alive! Dancing Heart™, featured in the PBS documentary, Arts and the Mind. My essays and poetry have been published regionally. I’m a performing folk musician, professional writer and national award-winning documentary filmmaker. I’ve taught at Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
UPCOMING
P.O. Box 24192
Minneapolis, MN 55424