A weekend getaway retreat for couples who want to learn all about how to have more gratifying sex at The Himalayan Institute in the beautiful Pocono mountainsÂ
Date/Time: June 26-28, 2026
Fri 7-9p, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Location:
The Himalayan Institute
952 Bethany Turnpike
Honesdale, PA 18341
Join Mike and Zoya for an invigorating weekend learning how to cultivate greater sexual intimacy and emotional connection with your partner.
Why is it often so difficult to reach and maintain the wonderful flow of sexual connection with our partner over time? How is it that our signals can get distorted and misunderstood? What is behind all that avoidance that one or both of us has fallen into? How can we enhance what has become too predictable a routine? Scroll down for further details about the program.
Couples will:
While sharing comments and questions with other couples at the weekend can be fun and beneficial, sharing in the larger group is completely optional. You will have lots of time to have private conversations with your partner that we've designed to cultivate a deeper understanding of what is occurring between the two of you regarding your sex life, and we absolutely commit to you feeling comfortable and maintaining your privacy.
Zoya and Mike often present together and enjoy creating a safe, fun, meaningful experience where we'll encourage you to go as deep as is comfortable. "Stretch – don't strain" is our motto here.
We're offering free info Zoom sessions for anyone who would like to learn more about the program. The next one is scheduled for on Monday 3/2 from 7:30-8pm. Here is the link to register: https://iceeft.zoom.us/meeting/register/fxaMGJKVRoi8wm8hZd3HAg
"Hold Me Tight®" is a registered trademark to Sue Johnson.
In preparation for the workshop, we recommend you purchase and begin reading the best-selling book "Hold Me Tight: 7 Conversations for a Lifetime of Love" by Dr. Sue Johnson, if only the first 4 chapters and then the chapter on Conversation 6 (Bonding Through Sex and Touch) as this will provide some helpful background and will help you understand the material we cover during the weekend more easily. That said, if you don't have time, it will be fine.
We need to cap this retreat as space is limited – Reserve your spot now.
Registration fees for the workshop:
What is the general schedule?
The workshop begins on Friday evening 6/26 @7pm and will end on Sunday June 28th at 4pm. If you're coming from out of town, you may wish to consider whether you and your partner are able to add an extra day either before or after the retreat so you can explore the beauty of the area.
About one week prior to the workshop, we will send out an email providing you with all the important details of the workshop.
If you'll be staying at The Himalayan Institute, you can book HERE or call them directly at 800-822-4547. To secure a room you should book soon as there are other retreats running this weekend. Additionally, here is a link to their website:  Himalayan Institute. You also have the option at staying at one of the many hotels, BnBs and Air Bnbs in the area and purchase a day pass where all meals, yoga classes etc. are included for just $60 per day.
Herbal tea will always be available at the Institute and there is also a snack bar where various baked goods, coffee etc. can be purchased.
What does my registration fee include? Registration includes the workshop fee for two, all materials, and expert guided assistance during the workshop from therapists and Mike and Zoya.
Cancellation Policy
Life happens, and the best laid plans sometimes are not possible to follow through on. Please read our cancellation policy carefully. Your registration fee is non-refundable, but transferable to a future workshop (Hold Me Tight, Hold Me Just Right, or our workshop on cultivating greater emotional connection, Hold Me Tight) if you can notify us of your inability to come at least one week before the workshop. There are no transfers of workshop fees for cancellations within 7 calendar days of the workshop. This policy is the most generous that we can offer as we invest significantly in your experience at the workshop with a lovely meeting space, food and beverages, supplies, and a team of trained therapists to support you if needed. We aim to give you the most valuable workshop experience with the most support, and your cancellation means loss of our financial investment without chance of recuperation of that investment.
Should you choose to cancel your workshop with us, we cannot be responsible for any ancillary costs incurred - including but not limited to airline tickets, rental cars, accommodations, etc. Exceptions will not be made for cancellations due to illness, travel-related delays, or life circumstances. We are aware that there are uncontrollable elements in life, and we strongly recommend Travel Protection Insurance with a registered agent to cover any travel-related risks.
If you have additional questions or any special needs, do not hesitate to contact us at 646-298-5227 or mike@fulfilledcouples.com so that we can help to make your workshop experience with us most comfortable.
In particular, we want to make sure that our workshop is available to members of historically marginalized communities.
We strive to make the workshop a safe space for everyone, including people of color, immigrants, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. And we will prioritize sliding scale opportunities for members of these communities. We have sliding scale pricing opportunities for those in financial need up to 3 couples per workshop.
Michael Moran, Ph.D., LCSW, CST-S
Is the Founder and Director of the Center for Relational Fulfillment in New York, NY, where he specializes at the intersection of relational and sexual challenges. He is a Certified EFT Therapist and Supervisor, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor, a Certified Creative Arts Therapist, and a Certified Inner Bonding Facilitator. Mike currently teaches at The Modern Sex Therapy Institute. He was also Senior Faculty at the Sex Therapy Division at Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy in NYC and taught graduate courses in Marriage and Family Therapy at Rutgers University. Mike was also featured on Esther Perel's "Sessions" platform, where he discussed with Esther the utility of EFT to address sexual issues. Mike travels internationally, training couple therapists on how to effectively address sexual issues in couples therapy as well as leading couple workshops designed to cultivate more gratifying relational and physical intimacy. He designed the Hold Me Tight, Hold Me Just Right program with EFT supervisor Nancy Knudsen. Â
Zoya Simakhodskaya, Ph.D.
Is a licensed psychologist and certified EFT Therapist, Supervisor, and Trainer. She is a founding member, executive director, and vice president of the Board of Directors of NYCEFT. Zoya is also a founder and director of the Center for Psychological and Interpersonal Development, which is dedicated to high-quality individual and couples therapy and EFT training. Zoya has a full-time practice in Chelsea, NY, with adults and couples, specializing in cross-cultural and bilingual populations. In addition to her psychotherapy practice, Zoya has many years of experience providing crisis intervention in a psychiatric emergency service and continues as a volunteer faculty member at NYU School of Medicine, the CUNY Graduate from Center, and Rutgers University. Zoya enjoys helping therapists learn EFT and teaches nationally and internationally, now bringing EFT to Russia, Italy, and Ukraine.