Today we’d like to introduce you to Dina Clabaugh.
Hi Dina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Michael and I are married and co-own Insight Counseling in Duluth, Virginia, Ely, and Bloomington. Both couple therapists, about two years ago we started offering weekend couple retreats at Wild Rice Retreat in Bayfield, WI. The retreats are a mix of self and couple therapy curriculum, relaxation, movement, nourishment, and rejuvenation. Couples can be in the midst of disconnection (mild or chronic), or not much disconnection and simply want an immersion experience to retreat together and focus on their relationship. It is a lot of fun and deeply meaningful.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Michael and I love preparing for the retreats as it is an immersion of sorts into our relationship as well as the relationship literature. There aren’t many struggles beyond constant marketing to get the word out and get couples registered. Wild Rice Retreat is a special and luxurious experience in the woods, and the price point is pretty high. So it is not available to everyone so that is hard. We would love to create more opportunities in the future with more affordability.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Connecting Couple?
Dina and Michael created The Connecting Couple out of their work at Insight Counseling. Dina opened Insight in 2017 and the agency has grown to include up to 30 clinicians supporting and four locations throughout Minnesota. Insight is known for its compassionate and warm touch. All the offices are designed with calm and healing in mind, as our surroundings matter and can positively enhance the healing nature of the work we do. Calm and connected nervous systems are what we hope to cultivate for everyone who walks through our doors. At Insight we support couples working through conflict and couples wishing to enhance their connection. We support individuals across the lifespan in areas of anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, ADHD, OCD, and more. We are most proud of our compassionate approach, our dedicated attention and support of our team, and our plants.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
How much time do you have? 🙂 Both Michael and I have a long list. I am including mine, but he could offer his another time?
We read a lot of books and texts about relationship theory and couples. Some of my current favorites include US by Terry Real, Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel (I had an opportunity to train with Terry and Ester several years ago and it was awesome.), Come Together by Emily Nagosky, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, You are the one you’ve been waiting for by Richard Schwartz. The Gottman’s work. There are so many. Too many!
Michael and I love several podcasts and regularly participate in clinical consultations with other therapists.
Outside of direct practice the following practices support me immensely in doing this work: Baking sourdough, yoga, running, meditation, plants and home, knitting, reading, connecting with friends and family, walking and playing with our furries.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theconnectingcouple.com
- Instagram: @theconnectingcouple
- Facebook: @theconnectingcouple
- Youtube: @theconnectingcouple (not live yet)
