Couples Therapy
The gottman method -Level 2 trained
The Gottman method is an evidence-based couples therapy grounded in the Sound Relationship House Theory. Partners are encouraged to require five times more positive interactions than negative, with therapeutic approaches focusing on guiding couples to strengthen the skills necessary to manage conflict, maintain fondness, and express their needs. Using a thorough assessment of the relationship to investigate complex tensions, implement appropriate interventions, and enhance relationship dynamics, the Gottman method seeks to increase empathy and understanding, heighten respect, improve intimacy, and enhance verbal communication to encourage partners to empower their minds together.
Applications of the Gottman Method
The Gottman method can be applies to many relationship problems, such as:
- Chronic conflict
- Emotionally distanced partners
- Struggling with communication
- Money, parenting, or sex difficulties
Assessment
The Gottman method begins with a thorough assessment of the couple's relationship, meant to inform therapeutic methods and personally-tailored interventions. Therapy beings with a conjoint session, gathering history and information about the couple and their journey. Individual interviews follows, with each partner completing questionnaires individually. Following interpretation, the couple will receive detailed feedback on their relationship and further sessions will be discussed and scheduled.
Stages of the Gottman Method
- Love Maps: Reviewing how well each individual knows their partner's history, stresses, hopes, etc.
- Share Fondness and Admiration: Focuses on the level of affection and respect between partners.
- Turn Towards Instead of Away: Promotes couples expressing their needs and responding to (turning towards) their partner.
- The Positive Perspective: Encourages a positive approach to problem-solving within the context of the relationship.
- Manage Conflict: Teaches partners to handle everyday conflict appropriately and sensitively.
- Make Life Dreams Come True: Establishes an atmosphere for each partner to speak about their aspirations, goals, and hopes honestly.
- Create Shared Meaning
- Trust: Works to establish and strengthen trust between partners.
- Commitment: Emphasizes that upon encountering conflict, couples are expected to work together to improve conditions. Promotes that each partner supports their counterpart's positive qualities, rather than amplify their negative qualities.
Goals of the Gottman Method
Couples are encouraged to replace negative conflict patterns with more positive approaches. Therapeutic interventions are designed to increase closeness, promote intimacy, enhance emotional connections, and emphasize shared goals.
Goals of the Gottman Method include:
- Disarm conflicting verbal communication
- Increase intimacy, respect, and affection
- Remove barriers causing stagnant conflict
- Heighten empathy and understanding within the relationship