The approach is a practical one that couples can immediately relate to and apply to their relationship. It is a form of couples’ therapy that makes sense. Unhappy, conflicted couples can learn the skills and attitudes which make for happy, successful relationships.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Couples who enter into Gottman Method Couples Therapy begin with an assessment process that then informs the therapeutic framework and intervention. This helps me in understanding the inner-workings of your relationship and helps establish the most effective way to improve the quality of the relationship.
During this initial assessment phase, we will start with a conjoint session, followed by individual interviews with each partner. Couples complete questionnaires and then receive detailed feedback on their relationship. This session provides insight into the focus of therapy and the plan for moving forward.
Interventions are designed to help couples strengthen their relationships in three primary areas: friendship, conflict management, and creation of shared meaning.
Couples learn to replace negative conflict patterns with positive interactions and to repair past hurts. Interventions designed to increase closeness and intimacy are used to improve friendship, deepen emotional connection, and create changes which enhances the couples shared goals. Relapse prevention is also addressed.
INTERVENTIONS
Interventions are designed to help couples strengthen their relationships in three primary areas: friendship, conflict management, and creation of shared meaning.
Couples learn to replace negative conflict patterns with positive interactions and to repair past hurts. Interventions designed to increase closeness and intimacy are used to improve friendship, deepen emotional connection, and create changes which enhances the couples shared goals. Relapse prevention is also addressed.
GOALS AND PRINCIPLES OF THE GOTTMAN METHOD
The goals of Gottman Method Couples Therapy are to disarm conflicting verbal communication, increase intimacy, respect, and affection, remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy in conflicting situations, and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship.
