For the past 20 years I have been studying the Gottman Method for Couples therapy and continue to be excited and amazed by how effective it is. I am passionate about the approach and am proud to say that I am a Certified Gottman Therapist. Psychology Today Gives this summary on what you can expect from Gottman Couples therapy.
"The Gottman Method for Healthy Relationships is a form of
couples-based therapy and education that draws on the
pioneering studies of relationships by psychologist John M. Gottman and
clinical practice conducted by John Gottman and his wife, psychologist
Julie Gottman. Nearly 40 years of research have led John Gottman to
identify the elements it takes for relationships to last—among all types
of couples across all phases of life. There are nine components of what
the Gottmans call The Sound Relationship House, from partners making
mental maps of each other’s world to learning how to break through
relationship gridlock. One of the reigning insights of the science-based
approach is that in the dynamics of relationship systems, negative
emotions like defensiveness and contempt have more power to hurt a
relationship than positive emotions have to help a relationship. As a
result, the structured therapy focuses on developing understannding and skills so that
partners can maintain fondness and admiration, turn toward each other to
get their needs met (especially when they are hurting), manage conflict,
and enact their dreams — and what to do
when they mess up (because everyone does)." (Psychology Today)