2026 Art & Science of Love Workshop
As one of the few Workshop Leaders in Australia, Certified Gottman Therapist Madonna Hirning offers the world renowned "The Art and Science of Love" workshop for couples developed by Drs John and Julie Gottman several times a year on the Sunshine Coast.
We keep the numbers small and limited, so we do encourage you to book your place in advance. ​
Suitable for couples of every age, marital status and sexual orientation
Assists couples to strengthen their relationship and build closeness, connection and shared meaning
Helps couples develop a shared language and process for managing conflict and repair
Achieves results equal to six months of therapy, with 94% reporting positive outcomes
The Art and Science of Love weekend workshop
Is it time to reconnect? Invest time in your relationship and come along to the original Gottman Art and Science of Love Workshop with your partner where you will experience engaging presentations and experiential activities designed to confirm, strengthen, or restore your love.
Based on over 40 years of research with thousands of couples, The Art and Science of Love workshop, will give you new insights and research-based skills that can dramatically improve the intimacy and friendship in your relationship and help you manage conflict in a healthy, positive way.
This workshop is unique because it is grounded on what actually works in relationships that are happy and stable, not idealistic notions or anecdotal evidence of what a relationship should be.
​Workshop Dates 2026
We host 3–4 Sunshine Coast Gottman Therapy Workshops each year, designed to be intimate experiences with limited spots available. Tickets often sell out months in advance, so we encourage you to secure your place early to avoid missing out.
Includes: Full registration, morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea for the couple and an Art and Science of Love couples pack. ​
*Please Note - Accommodation is not included but a discount is available to workshop participants
Why Come to the Gottman Therapy Workshop in Australia?
Develop a shared vision and language around connection, communication and conflict management.
Gottman Method Couples Therapy is based on decades of scientific research into what makes relationships work.
You will learn practical skills that you can apply immediately.
The two days allows you both time and space to practice your new skills with the support of your facilitator Madonna Hirning.
Concerned about working on your relationship in a group setting?
Don't worry, we've got your back! All skills building activities are done with your partner only and no group work or disclosure is required.
What Will You Learn?
You and your partner will learn how to build a culture of respect, affection and closeness in your relationship. You will build and share a deeper connection with each other and how to manage and repair conflict in a way that supports your relationship.
DAY 1
You will learn how to build friendship and connection in your relationship and express feelings of respect and affection.
DAY 2
You will learn how to manage conflict and communicate in a way to maintain connection.
You Will Also
Learn to recognise the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and what to do if they are attacking your marriage
Use the Fondness and Admiration System to renew, respect, and care for one another
Identify your relationship’s specific strengths and how to build on them together
Create an Emotional Bank Account that you can draw upon in times of stress
Learn about the effects of physiological flooding and how it may affect conflict resolution
Develop your problem-solving skills, including the six skills for effective conflict resolutions
To find out more about the development and effectiveness of The Art and Science of Love Workshop go to:
https://www.gottman.com/couples/workshops/art-science-of-love/
No Public Discussion or Disclosure is Required
All work is done as a couple and your facilitator is available for support during the couples exercises.
This educational workshop is skills building and educational and is NOT couples therapy. This workshop is not suitable for couples dealing with active addiction, domestic violence, unprocessed infidelity or other serious relationship issues.
Before attending the workshop you will each be contacted by Madonna for a brief chat to ensure this workshop is a good choice for you and your partner right now. If you are unsure please contact us at admin@sccouplesclinic.com.
No public discussion or disclosure is involved. All work is done as a couple and your facilitator is available for support during the couples exercises. This educational workshop is NOT couples therapy and is not be appropriate for couples dealing with active addiction, domestic violence, unprocessed infidelity or other serious relationship issues. Before attending the workshop you will each be contacted by one of our staff for a brief chat to ensure this workshop is a good choice for you and your partner right now. If you are unsure please contact us at admin@sccouplesclinic.com.
Madonna Hirning
The Presenter. Certified Gottman Couples Therapist. Leader of The Art and Science of Love Workshop
Madonna has been a Psychologist in Private Practice on the Sunshine Coast since 2006, providing psychological therapy to both individuals and couples experiencing a wide range of issues.
Over time she began to see more and more clients experiencing extreme relationship distress and began researching evidence based forms of couples therapy to help the couples.
This search lead Madonna to Gottman Method Couples Therapy which has been developed from decades of rigorous research by Drs John and Julie Gottman. Madonna was the first Certified Gottman therapist on the Sunshine Coast and now works almost solely with couples at her practice Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic. Madonna is proud to have been presenting The Art and Science of Love Workshop on the Sunshine Coast since 2021.
