Empowering Professionals, Transforming Relationships.
Hedy Schleifer has spent decades sharing Encounter-centered Transformation® (formerly Encounter-centered Couples Therapy®) with therapists and professionals working with couples around the world.
We are delighted to introduce a welcoming community built around this transformative approach to support professionals in having better relationships with those they serve and spread the Encounter-centered Transformation movement.
Now, more than ever, the world needs people to see the value in having great relationships and who want to create bridges rather than walls. The EcT movement is all about reaching for that goal, and the Encounter-centered Community is the home for it.
This community is an exciting opportunity to deepen connection, explore myriad ways to practice being in our essence, to ask endless questions in a vast pool of collective wisdom, to touch base directly with our beloved Hedy about how we are taking the invitation from her to change the world one relational essence at a time. I, for one, am deeply grateful to have a place, at this particular moment in the universe, in which curiosity, learning, delight, surprises and connection are the basis of gathering. And who better to do this with than Hedy and each other?. — Hayley Hoffman, MA, LPC
Make Encounter-centered connections and build bridges as a global family.
Here’s what your membership includes:
Here’s a peek inside our community
In this often frenetic, chaotic world, being able to drop into this community that is solely devoted to presence, curiosity, and generating connected encounter is a welcome exhale of relief and delight. And it’s Hedy Schleifer’s world? Just TRY to keep me out!. — Sharon Day, PCC
ENCOUNTER-CENTERED TRANSFORMATION™
Hedy’s current work with Encounter-centered Transformation™ (EcT) has its roots in Hedy’s earlier work: Encounter-centered Couples Therapy® which is an approach Hedy has practiced and taught around the world for decades.
While Hedy no longer offers this work in a therapeutic setting, her innovative, integrative and affirming Encounter-centered Transformation™ approach to the creation of strong, productive, and creative relationships forms the core of her work. Using this approach, Hedy educates and guides couples through private intensives, and has trained mental health professionals, coaches, leaders. and executives in EcT. As her work is always growing and evolving, and realizing that EcT could be useful to any professionals who want better relationships with the people they serve, Hedy welcomes all professionals to the Encounter-centered Community.
ENCOUNTER-CENTERED TRANSFORMATION™
Hedy’s current work with Encounter-centered Transformation™ (EcT) has its roots in Hedy’s earlier work: Encounter-centered Couples Therapy® which is an approach Hedy has practiced and taught around the world for decades.
While Hedy no longer offers this work in a therapeutic setting, her innovative, integrative and affirming Encounter-centered Transformation™ approach to the creation of strong, productive, and creative relationships forms the core of her work. Using this approach, Hedy educates and guides couples through private intensives, and has trained mental health professionals, coaches, leaders. and executives in EcT. As her work is always growing and evolving, and realizing that EcT could be useful to any professionals who want better relationships with the people they serve, Hedy welcomes all professionals to the Encounter-centered Community.
Empowering Professionals, Transforming Relationships. The Encounter-centered Community—Your Home for Encounter-centered Transformation®
Ready to Join Us?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hedy Schleifer and what is Encounter-centered Transformation?
Hedy Schleifer is a master relationship builder and a true luminary in the field of relationships. With over 40 years of professional experience and 55 years of personal experience, she has dedicated her life to deepening our understanding of relational intelligence and maturity. Hedy holds a BA in Psychology from UCLA and an MA in Clinical and Child Psychology from Tel Aviv University. Her most personal experience comes from her 55-year marriage to Yumi z”l, which she lovingly refers to as their “living relational laboratory.”
Hedy believes that world peace begins with the human family, and that strong, committed, and growing partnerships of all kinds are key to achieving it.
Hedy’s transformative model, Encounter-centered Transformation® (EcT), is the culmination of decades of work and exploration. This beautifully integrative and interdisciplinary approach builds on Hedy’s earlier work, Encounter-centered Couples Therapy®, which she practiced and taught for many years and in 29 countries worldwide.
Encounter-centered Transformation® draws from philosophy, clinical theory, organizational methodology, and relational neurobiology. It is rooted in the teachings of Martin Buber’s philosophy, Imago Relationship Theory, Appreciative Inquiry, and the latest advancements in Relational Neurobiology and Memory Reconsolidation. This approach supports transformational change at a deep, cellular level—change that is dependable and sustainable.
Empirical studies show that strong, healthy relationships actually help the brain grow and evolve in ways that foster even better connections.
While Hedy focuses much of her private work on couples, Encounter-centered Transformation® is designed to work just as powerfully with any two people looking to build a deeper, more meaningful relationship.
What kind of content and discussions can I expect?
Our community is just getting started, and we’re excited to have you join us on this journey of mutual growth! Right now, we’re offering regularly scheduled live Zoom gatherings and plenty of spaces for discussions about Encounter-centered Transformation® (EcT) and how to apply these ideas in your work and life. As a Circle member, you’ll also be invited to a special monthly live Zoom gathering with Hedy herself.
We can’t wait to see what ideas and activities our members will create together as we continue to grow!
Are there community guidelines or rules I'm expected to follow?
Yes, and they’re foundational to our community. You can read them here.
Can I interact directly with Hedy?
If you join us as a Circle member, you’ll be invited to a monthly live Zoom gathering with Hedy where you can absolutely interact directly with her. We’d love for you to join us!
What kinds of professionals are welcome in the community?
I don’t speak English. Can I still join the community?
English is the designated official language of the Encounter-centered Community. In this global community, creating a shared understanding through a single language is essential. While we don’t have translation services available, we warmly welcome everyone to join us, and invite you to use your own tools to help with any language barriers.
Can I cancel my membership or upgrade it?
Absolutely! You can upgrade from a Free membership to a paid Circle membership or cancel your Free membership anytime. If you’re a Circle member, you can downgrade to a Free membership or cancel altogether—as long as you make sure to do so at least five business days before your next billing date.
I have more questions—how do I get them answered?
Please reach out to us via email to hello@encountercentered.com and one of us will be happy to help. We’re usually in the office Monday through Thursday, 10a-3p ET, and we’ll always get back to you within two business days—usually much sooner!