Welcome to B.R.I.D.G.E. workshop
The B.R.I.D.G.E (Building Relationship Intimacy and Dialogue Effectiveness) online workshop is intended to help increase your understanding and knowledge about how to build and maintain healthy, effective relationships. The goal is to provide you with some skills that build connection and intimacy in your relationships. We hope you find it helpful.
This workshop will provide you with life-long tools you can use in all of your important relationships whether with family, friends, colleagues, or romantic partners. By the end of this workshop, you will have received a lot of information and at times it may feel overwhelming. Remember that like any skill (e.g., learning to ride a bike), the skills you will learn in B.R.I.D.G.E take time and practice to master. At times, you may encounter obstacles and/or find it difficult to integrate these skills into your daily life. That’s okay, it’s how change works, and as with all change, it’s important to practice as much as you can, even after encountering setbacks.
These skills are a form of “mental health hygiene.” At the outset, it may seem tedious and you may question why you need to practice these skills so often. Think of it like dental hygiene—you brush your teeth multiple times a day to prevent the buildup of plaque and ultimately to prevent cavities. Similar to brushing your teeth, daily practice can help you move towards meaningful and lasting relationships. The more you practice and use these skills as part of your daily routine, the less tedious they may seem because they simply become a regular part of daily life.
In order to get the most out of this workshop, we recommend thoroughly reviewing each tab of the table of contents in the order presented. Some tabs may have PDF worksheets you may download and/or print to help you practice skills on your own. Please take your time and work through this material at your own pace. There are recommended breaks throughout to spread the work out over a few days/weeks to ensure you get the most out of the information.
Should you wish to focus more in depth on any of your relationship concerns or you feel that you need additional support, please contact the UToledo Counseling Center at (419) 530-2426.
*Disclaimer: This workshop is meant to provide education about depression and basic suggestions for healthy coping strategies. The content of this workshop is not meant to replace therapy and is not considered mental health treatment. If you are in crisis or find yourself needing more support please call the UToledo Counseling Center at 419-530-2426.