Gottman Method Couples Therapy

 

I completed the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy Training Level 2.

What is the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy?

The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy is a skills-based therapy that helps couples achieve a deeper sense of understanding of themselves and their partners, and increase empathy and emotional intimacy. It is based on nearly 40 years of research by Drs. John and Julie Gottman on what makes relationships work.

The Gottman Method Couples Therapy helps partners:

  • Increase emotional closeness, strengthen the friendship, increase respect and affection

  • Keep conflict discussions calm and prevent escalation

  • Improve understanding between the couple and the ability to listen to each other

  • Help you dialogue about your most difficulty conflicts, rather than avoid them

  • Learn to identify and change unhealthy conflict patterns and repair past wounds

  • Create a system of shared values and meaning

  • Spend more quality time

 

Gottman Method Couples Therapy: Initial Assessment

The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy starts with an assessment of a number of aspects of your relationship. It involves a conjoint session, individual interviews with each partner, and the couple filling out a questionnaire about your relationship.
The purpose of the assessment is to: assess the quality of the couple’s friendship, romance and passion; to assess the effectiveness of the couple’s management of conflict and what key areas need improvement; and to evaluate the couple’s ability to create shared meaning and honor each other’s dreams.
The last step of the assessment is a conjoint meeting where I provide feedback on the results of the assessment and we create treatment goals. After that, we can begin the couples therapy if we agree to move forward.

Gottman Couples Therapy: How the therapy works

Gottman method couples therapy is designed to help couples strengthen their relationships in three main areas: friendship, conflict management, and creation of shared meaning. Couples learn to identify and change unhealthy conflict patterns and repair past wounds. It is a skills-based approach, and one of the objectives is to give you the skills you need to resolve conflict on your own in the future

Here is more information on the Gottman Method Couples Therapy