Create lasting love --- the Relationship Package

Skill development course for stage 0, 2, 3, 4, and 5: Those who are already in a relationship (or hoping it's going that way), primarily need good relationship advice (not dating advice). Thus, the Relationship Package is perfect for them (since they don't need Stage 1 or the dating system).

Your purchase includes:

The Lasting Love Academy's

hundreds of articles

5+ hours of videos

25+ hours of audios

for every stage (but Stage 1) of the dating process

Who created the Lasting Love Academy?

Alisa Goodwin Snellis a dating and relationship coach who spent 17 years as a marriage and family therapist. She's written 7 books for singles, created numerous audios, videos, and articles, is a popular public speaker, and has been on over 100 TV and radio programs nationwide. Learn more.

Alisa's dating and relationship courses are outlined in a five-stage, skill-development program. Stage 0: Laying a solid foundation focuses on everything you need to know and do to create a secure foundation for you and your relationships. Stage 1: The first six weeks of dating focuses on everything you need to get dates, manage rejection, avoid common dating traps, identify the potentially abusive and manipulative, create meaningful connections, and secure the interest of the opposite sex (Stage 1 is not included in the Relationship Package). Stage 2: Pre-exclusive focuses on helping you to have fun, get to know them better, ensure safety and compatibility, and establish trust before becoming exclusive. Stage 3: Creating secure attachments focuses on the essential steps and behaviors you and your partner will need to create and maintain deep and secure connections or bridge communication issues. Stage 4: Solving problems as a couple focuses on basic and critical skills for resolving problems, repairing relationships, maintaining a high level of positives, and overcoming specific challenges that stress relationships. Stage 5: Engagement to marriage prepares you for the upcoming challenges and blessings of marriage, as well as ensuring sexual satisfaction and emotional fulfillment. See below for more details.

Is this a faith-friendly program?

Yes. Most singles struggle with many fears (such as not being good enough, rejection, failure, abandonment, being used, lied to cheated on, abused, or being unable to have what other's have, etc.). The best antidote to fear is faith in true principles. You will find it easier to create a secure attachment pattern if you're grounded to something lasting, such as faith in yourself, your future, the goodness of the opposite sex, and/or the love of God. If you struggle, like many other singles, to have faith in any or all of these, don't worry. This program will build on the faith that you have. This program is not a highly religious program. There are a few references to the Bible, and these are provided to demonstrate that God is a loving being who's invested in His children, their happiness, their relationships, and the success of their families. Anyone from a religious background (or not) that supports a loving view of God, and an adherence to basic moral values, will find Alisa's faith-based principles to be in alignment with theirs. Since faith is the primary principle, Alisa is not attempting to pursued others to a specific religious affiliation. If you do not believe in God, focusing on the principles Alisa teaches and having faith in them will also have powerful effect since all of her materials are grounded in real-life observations and foundational concepts from her years of education and experience as a dating coach and marriage counselor. Alisa is Christian who has confidence that all people are able to discern for themselves what feels true and right for them. It is Alisa's hope that Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, or any other spiritually-minded or morally-focused group will find her principles to be supportive of their values as they pursue lasting love.

How will Stage 0: Laying a solid foundation help you?

Do you find yourself doing most of the work in your relationships? Do you struggle to express your feelings, needs, or opinions? Do you analyze and worry about the best way to handle situations? Are you primarily concerned about getting and keeping a relationship?

Whether you're in a relationship or not, you need to understand that the person who cares the least controls the relationship; thus, when you feel an anxious attachment in your relationships, you usually feel quite powerless. It can be painful to be the one who cares the most, has the most invested, and is waiting for the other to engage. Such behaviors actively contribute to an insecure (but strong) attachment. If you are to break this pattern, and gain the investment of the other person, you'll need to have a more secure foundation and confidence in yourself, your future, the opposite sex, God, or true principles--for the truth really can set you free. Those who feel and act secure get more respect, attention, affection, and investment from others. Stage 0 of the Lasting Love Academy will help you create this kind of secure foundation.

Do you rarely get excited about the people you're dating (or meet)? Are you consumed with fears of settling or being trapped in a relationship (even when you're with someone great)? Do you regularly question whether or not you want to be in this relationship? Are you typically the one who ends your relationships?

Many singles feel numb, stuck, trapped, and disconnected from their dating partners (or others in general). They may feel initial excitement when first dating (although many complain that they fall into relationships rather than actively choosing them), but within a few weeks or months they begin to feel passive and disinterested in the relationship and they don't know why. Small issues can quickly become deal breakers, but they linger for weeks and even months with indecision. If this describes you, you need to know you aren't alone. Many struggle with avoidant attachment issues and it's not because they don't care about their partner or that they prefer to be alone. As a matter of fact, this is the most common pattern Alisa sees in her practice: amazing men and women who either aren't dating or who date great people but just don't feel a connection and therefore can't commit. There are four underlying causes that are driving your disconnection, in spite of your best efforts and sincere intentions. Until you learn to manage and address these issues, nothing will change (especially your anxiety, doubt, and disconnection). You can have the confidence you need to be more active in dating, to power on (trusting that the process you're using will bring solid and happy results for you and your dating partner), or to break up with confidence (knowing this relationship isn't right for you due to specific reasons). Stage 0 will help you lay a foundation for breaking your patterns, feeling stronger emotions, engaging fully, and increasing your chances for loving, and being loved.

Do you get caught in unhealthy, abusive, manipulative, unfaithful, or dishonest relationships? Do you have difficulty trusting your judgment? Do you fear getting into a relationship with someone who has a drug, alcohol, or sexual addiction?

Singles fears are often due to ignorance. They fear what they don't know or understand. They fear repeating patterns from their past and doubt they can break these patterns. They fear asking questions and they fear getting answers they don't want to hear. Most of all, they fear that something is wrong with them, and if this is true than how can they trust their judgment. The good news is, you can discover those who would be liars, cheaters, manipulators, or beaters because such people can't help but reveal their issues through their lack of empathy, self-control, and personal responsibility (or E.S.P). If you know how to identify these warning signs, you can spot them in three dates or less (and definitely within four months). You can trust your judgement!! You can trust your future, the goodness of the opposites sex, and the reality of lasting love!

Are you plagued by concerns over whether you should stay or leave a relationship? Do you worry that you're too picky or not picky enough? Do you feel paralyzed by anxiety and feel relentless doubt about your attraction, compatibility, or what might be best for you (or them)? Do you linger in relationships but just can't find peace, progress, or break up? When you do break up are you relieved at first but weeks or months later feel paralyzed by longing and doubt once again. Do you feel like you keep putting your partners through a revolving door of commitment and doubt.

Most people don't plan on failing, they fail to plan. You do not need to linger in doubt. You can get a clear picture of what you're looking for and the skills you need to succeed. You can shed the pressure of people-pleasing and the distraction of the comparison trap. You can have the skills you need to choose your love and love your choice for a lifetime. There are four driving causes behind your doubts and fears, your indecision, or your fluctuating attachments and disconnections. You can break these patterns and have the peace and confidence you long for in your relationships!! Stage 0 will help you understand what you're experiencing and the essentials you need for breaking your patterns.

Is Stage 1: The first six weeks of dating and the four books and four DVDs box set included in the Relationship package?

No. Because you're already in a relationship, you don't need dating advice (which is what Stage 1 and the box set focuses on). You only need relationship advice.

How will Stage 2: Pre-exclusive help you?

Do you struggle to have fun when you're with your partner (or have fun when with them but feel anxious when not with them)? Do you feel you're lucky to be in the relationship while also feeling self-conscious, anxious, and not good enough? Do you find yourself making a lot of excuses or talking yourself into why you need to give the relationship more time?

Having fun is an essential ingredient in all five stages of dating. It is in these moments that deeper bonds and attachments often occur. If you're struggling to have fun in your relationship, there are several possible causes: (1) you may have an underlying anxiety; (2) your partner may be toxic, verbally abusive, or dishonest and, therefore, your body is tuned in and stressed but your not listen; (3) you or you're partner are engaging in thinking errors that are undermining your ability to relax and have fun; (4) you're treating your time together, phone calls or dates as a duty, responsibility, or something you should do rather than something you want to do; or (5) the two of you aren't being active and engaged enough to have fun (passive=passionless). It's important that you identify which of these is compromising the joy of your relationship. Most people who are relatively healthy will not stay in a relationship that is more work than play, which is a good sign. If one or both of you are willing to suffer and endure in a difficult relationship while it is still fairly new, what does that say about how healthy the two of you are, individually and as a couple? Work and communication are essential to relationships, but successful couples tend to have at least five positives to every one negative. Although this doesn't justify ignoring big issues because you have so much fun together. If you know what's driving your struggles to have fun, you can take confidence in either changing or leaving your relationship. The information and skills taught in Stage 0 and Stage 2 will be essential in helping you learn to have fun.

Do you struggle to have difficult conversations, to ask hard questions, or discuss the relationship? Do you fear being rejected at the first sign of being needy or imperfect? Do you worry that problems in a relationship mean it's wrong or fatally flawed?

Many singles struggle to communicate. They worry about making mistakes, revealing issues, looking desperate, exposing flaws, or acting in a way that triggers rejection. They don't want to hurt the other's feelings or make them uncomfortable so they withdraw rather than communicate. They suffer in silence while analyzing the other person's issues, past, weaknesses, or character flaws. They fear not knowing the truth, learning the truth, or not knowing what to do with it when they discover it. This results in many singles clinging anxiously to their partners (dismissing and excusing obvious warning signs) or shutting down and withdrawing (convincing themselves that their fears must be true, why else would they feel anxious--after all, if a relationship isn't organic and easy it must not be right). Such overanalyzation can have a paralyzing effect on both parties. The sad truth is, if either of them initiated conversation with respect, confidence, and warmth they would solicit the answers they need, create more mutual security, address problems with more courage, and feel deeper respect and appreciation (whether they continued the relationship or not). If you develop the skills to do this, you will not only look more confident and desirable, but others will tell you more than you ever imagined and you will feel more secure doing the same. Love is deeply connected to sacrifice. And security is deeply connected to vulnerability. Perfection and silent anxiety isn't the answer. Facing issues head on with warmth and consistent emotional engagement is how you create lasting love. Stage 2 can help you do this!

Do you struggle to trust your partner and the relationship? Do you feel less chemistry or attraction than you want to feel? Do you find yourself caught in what if, all-or-nothing, catastrophic, or perfectionistic thinking?

The first two stages of dating are critical. Most singles set themselves up for big problems due to the people they choose and how they handle the early stages of dating. The warning signs are usually more evident than singles may want to see. The potential that they're in another revolving-door relationship with someone like their ex is highly probably. And if neither of these are present (i.e. they're finally breaking their pattern and dating someone who is healthy and mature) they're likely to feel less passion and chemistry (because secure relationships don't create drama). If singles are to establish and maintain healthy relationships, they need to learn how to: (1) identify when a relationship is fatally flawed, incompatible, or lacking in sufficient chemistry and get out early; (2) recognize, create, maintain, and enjoy compatible and safe relationships; and (3) recognize when their anxiety and thinking errors are driving them to cling (signs of an anxious attachment) or detach (signs of an avoidant attachment) so they don't sabotage the good relationships they're in. You can have the skills you need to succeed in good relationships. You can trust your judgment, your partner, and the relationship. Trust is an essential ingredient to good relationships and if you don't answer the question of whether or not you trust them now (because you've asked the right questions and tested the relationship over time), than your relationship will have problems later. Rush too quickly to trust and you'll end up in a mess that's hard to escape. Take too long to trust and your relationship may wither and die. You can avoid the common thinking errors that undermine your trust and theirs. You can know what to look for and what to do. Don't skip this essential step and don't make the mistake of believing perfection or the right partner is the answer. Trust is about a process not perfection.

How will Stage 3: Creating secure attachments help you?

Although you're in a relationship do you or your partner still struggle with doubts about the other's commitment? Do either of you feel that the other is holding back, not engaging fully, or ignoring the needs of the relationship? Do either of you struggle to feel passion or fully invested?

Many singles think that once they become boyfriend and girlfriend their relationship will become easy and close. This is not always the case. The anxious and avoidant attachment pattern (or pursue/withdraw dance) is so common that most singles don't know what a secure attachment looks like, especially if their parent's marriages were troubled or ended in divorce. Additionally, no one can create a secure attachment on their own. It is something two people must do together, which doubles the risk that you or your partner will struggle to connect. If you both are to stay Available, Responsive, and Emotionally engaged (A.R.E.) within the relationship, and during times of conflict, you both need to know how. For example, when one person is anxious, lonely, or hurt they may complain, to which their partner may spontaneously react with feelings of criticism, rejection, or emotionally indifference (even though they do care). The first may then responds with anger or hurt, which triggers yet more withdrawal, defensiveness, or rejection from the second. This dance can go on and on, with the one or the other making concessions that they later resent. If you and your partner are to create a secure attachment, you need to understand this dance and the underlying fears and emotions that perpetuate it and what you can do instead. You need to show faith in the goodness of the other person and that the two of you can resolve and overcome these challenges as you learn to communicate more effectively, respond to each others needs, self-soothe your emotions, engage in repair attempts, and create a conflict-resolution style that fits your individual wishes and preferences. You can learn how to create a secure bond and maintain lasting love, after all it is what both of you want. And Stage 3 will help you with everything you need to know and do to have it.

Do you feel paralyzing doubt or disconnection as you get deeper into relationships? Do you feel a compelling need to decide if you should get married or break up? Do you feel distressed by your ongoing awareness of those who are more attractive, successful, happy, or in love than your feel for your partner? When your partner tells you they love you, do you feel concerned because you aren't sure you can honestly say it back with complete authenticity? When others ask about your relationship do you find yourself struggling to answer their questions with confidence? Do you avoid introducing your partner to friends, family, or work colleges because you dread the questions or the pressure that may result?

There is a growing population of singles who suffer from underlying anxiety and unrecognized thinking errors that paralyze them in relationships. They are competent, successful, socially skilled, and dating amazing people; nevertheless, as their relationships progress their doubts, anxiety, and desire to abandon the relationship seems to grow exponentially as well. They may hang in there and continue the relationship but their suffering in ways that others often can not see. They are frequently labeled as commitment phobic but that is not accurate. They want to commit and be in relationships (although at the moment they doubt it). The problem is that they simply don't know how to overcome the internal chaos their feeling (usually before or after they see their partner). They can't feel the peace, excitement, and connection they think they should be feeling. So they worry that they are wasting their or their partner's time. If this fits you, than you probably have a variety of thinking errors that are driving you from feeling the emotions you desire. You are also highly likely to have an underlying anxiety (or Relationship OCD) that is causing your mind to lock in on difficult issues that others find easier to dismiss. It can be hard for you to feel confidence that your concerns are not significant when your emotions are so relentless. Additionally, you are prone to jumping stages. Instead of focusing on the skills in Stage 3 (which includes having fun, creating a secure attachment, and improving communication), you jump to Stage 4 (solving external problems as a couple) or Stage 5 (preparing for engagement and marriage). Such stage jumping substantially increases pressure, anxiety, and thinking errors. You need to learn to reduce this anxiety and thinking errors, deepen your bond, and have fun. Until you've learned to do this, you will never feel the confidence and emotions you need to progress to the next two stages of the dating process. You can do this, but you can't keep doing it the way you have--it just doesn't work (which your past relationships have proven). Stage 3 includes audios in which Alisa is talking with clients like you, whom she has guided through every stage of this process. They are now happily married and have children. You are not alone. And you can have the same success they've found.

Do you or your partner struggle to depend upon, rely on, or need the other? Is it hard to share feelings, ask for help, or open up? Do either of you focus on perfection as a means to love and be loved.

Learning to trust another person enough to depend and rely on them can be challenging for many singles, but it is an essential ingredient for creating secure attachments. If you or your partner struggle to ask for help, share feelings, or open up, it will be hard for the other to meet your needs. If either of you keep your emotions or the details of your day to yourselves, even though you love being there for others, you will have a disproportionate amount of power over the relationship. The more someone shares with you, but you don't share with them, the more power you'll have and the more vulnerable the other will feel. This may feel safe for you but it will be frightening for them. So, if you want a secure attachment, you both need to open up and allow each other to truly know and be known by the other. Perhaps you feel, like many other singles, that if you shared it all, opened up, and were truly transparent and exposed to them, they would criticize, reject, or abandon you. But, what price are you paying because you aren't doing these things? How are your issues manifesting through secretive behavior, emotional disconnection, or an inability to truly enjoy the love of another and give it back to them? Stage 3 can help you engage in small steps of disclosure and trust until you feel confident in your relationship and fully enjoy the bond you share.

How will Stage 4: Solving problems as a couple help you?

Have you and your partner decided how you'll address and resolve issues, including money, sex, religion, cultural differences, parenting, step-parenting, extended family, debt, education, career changes, household and yard responsibilities, work and child care, etc.? Do you know the four things that will destroy your relationship, how to negotiate the three successful conflict styles, how to give and receive repair attempts, what you and your partner's five love languages are, and how to maintain a high positive to negative ratio? Do you know how to positively influence your partner versus manipulating in aggressive or passive aggressive ways? Do you know how to bring up difficult issues and address situational triggers by identifying and soothing your partners core fears? Have you proven (over time and with a variety of issues) that the two of you are successful when solving both personal and relationship problems?

The problems your relationship may experience won't be the problem--it's how the two of you handle these problems that will make or break your relationship. This is why it is not wise to rush the process of getting married when you and your partner have not yet developed one of the most important skills you'll ever need, conflict-resolution skills. Nothing elicits more shame and deep emotion than the topic of money and sex. When divorcing couples are asked what their biggest problems in marriage were, they usually say communication, sex, and money. Don't wait until after you are deeply dependent on each other to discover how the other person handles (or refuses to handle) difficult issues. Discover now whether you and your partner can negotiate, compromise, apologize, admit when you're wrong, show empathy, and maintain self-control. The most highly-rated traits of happy marriages includes empathy for the others feelings, needs, and dreams and the ability to influence and be influenced by the other. Stage 4 will help you to assess how successful you are at doing this for each other, what communication traps you're vulnerable to or how to avoid them, and what you need to do to ensure your relationship remains strong, happy, and positive.

How will Stage 5: Engagement and marriage help you?

Is your anxiety (or panic) increasing? Are you not feeling the level of excitement you think you should be feeling when considering engagement or getting close to marriage? Are your feelings of doubt normal or a sign that something is wrong with your partner, the relationship, or your love for them? Are you fighting more, getting hung up on small issues, or being consumed with a desire to run away? Are you starting to question whether marriage is right for you or if it really does work for others? Do you feel prepared for and confident about your ability to sexually satisfy each other?

Our society perpetuates romantic notions about love and marriage. These unrealistic standards make it hard for many singles to trust any feelings they believe don't measure up to the hype. Instead of feeling excited about marriage and infatuated with their partner, many singles see that their partner is human with flaws, insecurities, issues, family drama, and less than ideal reactions to stress. The anxiety, doubt, and even panic, this causes can feel overpowering. However, this is very normal. More people feel this way than those who feel twitterpated. Successful marriages are based on a lot of good and solid qualities both in the individuals and in the relationship. If your decision to marry is more logical than emotional, you're probably making a solid choice. That being said, there are steps you can take to reduce your anxiety, have more fun, enjoy the process, and increase the feelings you desire. Stages 2, 3, and 4 should have helped you along this path, but stage 5 will definitely get you prepared for and excited about marriage.

How long will you have access to this material?

Your membership is for a 1-year term, at which time you can renew your membership for a discounted price by contacting alisa.snell@icloud.com.

Can you share this information with others?

The greatest compliment anyone can give Alisa is to share with others their appreciation and enjoyment of her ideas and content; however, we ask that you encourage others to purchase their own membership and that you not share your login email or password with others without obtaining written permission from Alisa Goodwin Snell at alisa.snell@icloud.com. If you are in a serious, exclusive relationship and would like your partner to have access to your account so that you both might improve your relationship skills, you may send a written request to Alisa Goodwin Snell to obtain permission at alisa.snell@icloud.com. Please review all of our Rules for Participation | Copyright | Disclaimers as they spell out the terms, conditions, and consequences associated with sharing login emails and passwords or copyrighted materials with others, groups, or on the web.

Course outline

Stage 0: Building a secure foundation

Part 1: Do you have an anxious attachment pattern?
Part 2: Do you have an avoidant attachment pattern
Part 3: The one who cares the least has control
Part 4: What's making you anxious or avoidant?

1. How anxiety drives attachment issues
2. Common thinking errors
3. Pressure
4. Situational triggers and core fears
Part 5: Should I stay or should I go?

1. How anxiety affects relationships
2. Am I safe?
3. Are we compatible?
4. A.R.E. we secure with each other?
5. Am I taking personal responsibility?
6. Can we solve problems?
7. When to move to the next stage
Part 6: Becoming secure

1. Why E.S.P. matters in becoming secure
2. Fear and the truth that sets us free
3. Acting and feeling secure
Part 7: Becoming secure together

1. Am I safe?
2. Are we compatible?
3. Do we influence or manipulate each other?
4. Do we depend and rely on each other?
5. A.R.E. we available, responsive, and engaged?
6. How to become MASTERS versus DISASTERS at conflict?
Part 8: Calculating lost opportunity costs

1. Should you stay or should you go? Are you safe?
2. When the best is NOT the best
3. Common thinking errors
4. Essential ingredients for growing your relationships
5. How to choose your love and love your choice

Stage 1: First six weeks of dating

Not included

Stage 2: Pre-exclusive

10 reasons why you aren't sustaining relationship

10 reasons why you're not sustaining relationships

Issues that will ruin your relationships

Pornography and sexual addiction in men and women
Drug and alcohol addiction and their effects

Make him/her adore you (deepen your connection)

Treating others as A or B listers or worse?
How do I make men feel great?
Keeping him in pursuit when in the relationship
Keeping her happily fulfilled in the relationship
The 5 love languages
3 levels of bonding
Empathy, self-control, and personal responsibility
2 ways to create deeper connections
Deepen your emotional connections
How to make a woman feel safe and secure

Healthy versus unhealthy communication

Are you influencing or manipulating others?
Say no, gain respect and avoid manipulation
Healthy vs unhealthy communication patterns

No emotional connection?

Healthy versus addictive chemistry
I don't feel an emotional connection
Struggling to feel passionate in your relationship

How to break anxious and avoidant patterns

You're Amazing and Still Single—Why?
You're amazing and still single—Introductory audio
You're Amazing and Still Single for HIM (disk 1)
You're Amazing and Still Single for HIM (disk 2)
You're Amazing and Still Single for HIM (disk 3)
He's amazing and still single: Anxious attachment
Dating a man who's amazing and still single? No. 1
Dating a man who's amazing and still single? No. 2
Dating a man who's amazing and still single? No. 3

When & how to become exclusive

Moving forward with being exclusive
When do I express how I feel or say I love you?
How often should we see each other?

Stage 3: Building the Relationship

Loving and adoring mature (versus immature) people

Are you vulnerable to toxic people relationships?

Getting your needs met

How to get your man to give you more
Talking so they'll listen
End criticism and nagging
How to respond when they keep canceling our plans?
When they don't respond well to your needs
When reasoning and logic don't work
Are you undermining your efforts to say no
Walking between saying no and being too available
When to ask for change vs accepting them "as is"
Non-violent communication for resolving problems

Creating secure emotional attachments

3 essentials for a secure relationship (A.R.E.)
Three ways to manage conflict successfully
5:1 positive ratio and how to use repair attempts

The anxious and avoidant becoming secure

Amazing and still single (when in a relationship)

Stage 4: Solving problems as a couple

Healing Hurt Feelings

5 languages of apology
Forgiveness: the healing gift you give yourself
Asking for forgiveness

When to end a relationship or just reduce contact
Communication patterns to avoid

Signs of a doomed relationship & correcting it

Stuck versus progressive relationships

Sharing power and control
Managing power and control in relationships
Passiveness and how it affects relationships

The anxious and avoidant (almost engaged)

He's amazing and almost engaged (what to focus on)
Should you be looking for your sole mate?
Anxiety doesn't mean the relationship is wrong

Stage 5: Engagement to marriage

Making the decision

Getting spiritual direction
Getting clear answers to prayer

Marriage rocks!
Marriage prep

How to keep your love alive
Managing trials in marriage
Creating great sex versus bad sex
Sexual dysfunction (what you need to know)
Sex: Iniating, variety and frequency
Achieving female orgasm
Exploring sexual positions (and avoiding problems)
Managing sexual rejection well
When husbands aren't interested in sex