Tell me about the method you use for couples therapy:
I follow the traditional Gottman model with 3-4 assessment visits prior to jumping into the treatment. Included in the assessment process are the Oral history interview, The Gottman "Relationship Checkup" Questionnaires, an individual session for each of you to get deeper into your perspectives, and an initial treatment planning session.
The Gottman Method is a research-based approach to couples therapy developed by John and Julie Gottman, focusing on improving communication, building trust, and increasing intimacy through a framework called the "Sound Relationship House Theory," aiming to help couples develop skills to manage conflict and strengthen their emotional connection.
The Gottman Method is rooted in decades of research with thousands of couples, providing a structured approach to relationship therapy. Gottman's research identified four behaviors that predict relationship breakdown: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. The method provides effective tools to reduce the harmful impact of these 4 behaviors.
The Sound Relationship House framework outlines nine dimensions of a healthy relationship: creating love maps, nurturing fondness and admiration, turning towards each other, letting your partner influence you, solving solvable problems, overcoming gridlock, creating shared meaning, and building a life of shared meaning.
The Gottman Method aims to:
Disarm conflicting verbal communication.
Increase intimacy, respect, and affection.
Remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy.
Create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding.
Improve communication, build trust, and increase intimacy between partners.
Address conflict productively.
Build a life of shared meaning together.
The method focuses on:
Communication: Improving how couples communicate their needs and feelings.
Conflict Resolution: Developing skills to manage and resolve conflicts constructively.
Emotional Connection: Strengthening emotional bonds and fostering intimacy.
Problem-Solving: Helping couples address problems and work towards solutions.
What are the Gottman Tech Tools You Use: The Gottman "Relationship Builder" is an additional web based tool that I use that gives us a collection of exercises and videos designed to improve your relationship and to greatly minimize chances of relapse. This system of proven interventions includes:
Ø 13 modules that cover all facets of the Gottman Method: friendship, intimacy, how well you know your partner, how you manage emotions and conflict, how you share your values and goals, and what gives meaning to your lives
Ø 90 short and informative videos of Drs. John and Julie Gottman role-playing the right and wrong way to use your newfound skills (you do not have to watch all 90 videos, only the ones that are relevant to our work together)
Ø 35 easy and fun exercises that you can do with your partner
For more info you can visit
Below is a link that summarize the questionnaires we will use through https://gottmanconnect.com/
Cost of Gottman bundle: Relationship Checkup/Relationship Builder: $179