Have you ever found yourself stuck for words or feeling like you can't stop pushing someone to hear you? Really connecting to someone on a heart-level involves an awareness of how to create a nourishing, safe space where each of you feels open to listening and/or speaking. This is quite an art form and one worth putting time into learning how to create, so I am thrilled to share insights and delve into this art form in further detail during the workshop.

Martin Buber said that relationship lives in the space between us. When we don’t know about this space we might pollute it with a word or a reaction and as a result, the space may become unsafe. Some people might become louder in this space and some may become quieter.

The various intricate ways in which we communicate with each other and form connections often has much to do with your attachment style and how your nervous system is responding to someone. The session will illuminate the role of self-awareness in communication. Recognising one's own emotions, triggers, and patterns is pivotal for constructive interactions. In this workshop, I will be sharing how to slow down and be more connected with yourself using mediative technique of Hedy Schliefer and the guiding inquiries from Harville Hendrix.

Once you have the vital understanding of how to be "with yourself", I will then will be guiding you through the journey of creating a necessary "Bridge" for enhancing the quality of your everyday connections so you can have a space to deeply listen to or share with someone. Whether in personal relationships, professional settings, or casual encounters, the skills gained from this workshop are invaluable and universally applicable. I'm not only going to guide you on how to do this most effectively, but I will offer you the opportunity to go on a "Bridge".

In addition to understanding the psychological underpinnings that influence our communication dynamics, this talk delves into practical strategies for enhancing relationships through effective dialogue. Bridging supports a way for two people to meet in their hearts. It involves appreciative enquiry as one person listens and asks the other opening questions.

You'll explore the significance of empathy, active listening, and verbal and non-verbal cues in fostering understanding and trust. By examining real-life scenarios and engaging in an interactive exercise, you will gain insight to navigate complex conversations with confidence and grace.

Cate Mackenzie is an Accredited Sex and Relationship Therapist who has run workshops in six countries since 1998. She writes on relationships for I news and appears regularly on radio and TV. She was the dating coach for Channel 4’s “The Undateables” and Flirting coach for Channel 5’s “The Jeremy Vine show”. She regularly gives talks on Attachment and relationships for Seed Talks, Soho House and the Mind Body Spirit Festival and has produced an oracle deck to focus on loving yourself. She has trained in Attachment theory, embodiment practices and Deep Brain Reorienting.