Questions About Connected

No. Connected is an in-person, guided, experiential and non-clinical relationship-skills program in Bellevue, serving the Seattle/Eastside area, created by therapists, but separate from their psychotherapy practices. It focuses on learning, practice, coaching, and community rather than mental health diagnosis or treatment.

No. Connected is not matchmaking, speed dating, or a traditional dating service. Connected does not match participants for romantic relationships. Participants are paired for practice—not matched for dating.

Connected is for adults who hope to build a lasting relationship and are open to practicing connection in a new way. Some participants can get first dates but find that those dates rarely develop into an ongoing relationship. Others have very little dating experience and want guided practice before they begin dating.

The full experience lasts 5–6 months. The first cohort begins January 2027 in Bellevue. The program begins with three four-hour workshops, each followed by a Social Night. Several weeks of introductory partner meetings are followed by approximately three months of paired practice and weekly coaching.

The first cohort is designed for heterosexual participants. Men and women learn in parallel groups and meet during Social Nights. Grouping and pairings are informed by the intake conversation, goals, participant preferences, age range, life stage, and overall fit.

The first Connected cohort is designed primarily for adults approximately 26–45. Participants may be organized into groups based on age, life stage, dating experience, and overall group fit, with some flexibility around chronological age. Future cohorts are expected to serve a wider range of ages.

The Cohort 1 investment is $6,000 for the 5–6 month experience. The introductory conversation is free, with no commitment to join.

You don’t need to arrive feeling confident. Connected offers guided workshops and structured opportunities to practice, with coaching and support along the way. If group settings feel uncomfortable, tell us during your introductory conversation so we can discuss your concerns and explore whether the program feels like a good fit.

Connected welcomes people with different levels of dating experience, including those who want guided practice before they begin dating. You’ll have opportunities to learn communication and relationship skills, practice with support, and reflect on your experiences through coaching.

Start with a free, relaxed 20-minute Zoom call with one of our founders. We’ll hear what you’re hoping for, explain how the program works, and answer your questions. You don’t need to prepare anything or decide whether to join; the conversation is a chance to explore whether Connected feels like a good fit.

Participants may have different levels of dating experience and confidence. Some are comfortable getting first dates but want help building lasting connections; others are looking for practice before they start dating. You don’t need to match someone else’s experience or confidence to take part.

The program begins with three four-hour workshops, each followed by a Social Night. Workshops explore relationship goals, communication, listening, boundaries, consent, attraction, intimacy, and staying present when dating feels uncertain.

Paired practice is a three-month learning partnership with another participant, with repeated opportunities to try new ways of connecting and receive ongoing coaching.

No. Your pairing is a structured practice partnership, not a romantic match. There is no expectation of romantic or physical involvement.

Feedback is introduced gradually, with care and guidance. Especially at the beginning, most feedback is explored during coaching sessions.

We recommend a minimum of two hours of paired practice per week. You and your practice partner decide what works best for you. The more you practice, the more experience you bring to coaching—and the more effective that coaching can be.

You and your practice partner arrange casual activities, such as coffee or a walk. Practice takes place outside coaching sessions, giving you opportunities to try what you’re learning in everyday settings.

Conflict is part of building relationships, and learning to work through it is one of the goals of paired practice. Coaches guide practice partners through disagreements, helping them communicate, understand each other, and work toward repair. If there is a safety concern or a disagreement cannot be repaired, we will reassign participants to new practice partners in the current cohort or the next cohort.

Tell your coach about what feels uncomfortable. Your partnership is for learning, with no expectation of romantic or physical involvement. Coaches can help you express boundaries, explore what’s happening, and work through difficulties as part of the learning process. If there is a safety concern or a disagreement cannot be repaired, we will reassign participants to new practice partners in the current cohort or the next cohort.

The Connected Social Club is reserved exclusively for program graduates, who may attend optional ticketed events based on their interests and availability.