Gottman Method Couples Therapy
The Gottman Method is built on over four decades of research with thousands of real couples. Rather than guessing, it gives us a clear map of what makes relationships thrive or break down — and practical, concrete tools to change yours. It is structured, warm, and focused on what actually works.
What to expect: the first four sessions
Couples often feel nervous about starting, so here is exactly how we begin. The Gottman assessment phase is thorough by design — it means the therapy that follows is tailored to your relationship, not a generic script.
Your story and your goals
We meet together as a couple. I want to hear how you met, what your relationship has been through, what brings you to therapy now, and what you hope will be different. You'll also get a first taste of how I work with the way you talk to each other — often by having a real conversation about a difficult topic while I observe and gently guide.
The Gottman Relationship Checkup
Each of you completes a detailed online questionnaire individually. It maps the strengths and challenges of your relationship across areas like friendship, conflict, trust, intimacy, and shared meaning. This gives us a thorough, research-based picture — and saves many sessions of guesswork.
One individual session each
I meet with each of you separately. This is a space to share your personal perspective, your history, and anything that feels hard to say in front of your partner. It helps me understand each of you fully, without taking sides.
Feedback and a shared plan
We come back together and I share the assessment results: where your relationship is strong, where the pressure points are, and what the research says will help. Together we agree on clear goals and a treatment plan, so you know exactly what we are working on and why.
After the assessment phase, we move into the active work: structured conversations, exercises in and between sessions, and tools you can use at home. Sessions are 90 minutes, which gives us enough room for both partners to be properly heard.
What we can work on
Constant fighting
Learn to recognize the patterns that escalate conflict — criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling — and replace them with conversations that actually go somewhere.
Feeling like roommates
Rebuild friendship, fondness, and emotional intimacy when daily life, work, or parenting has quietly pushed the relationship to the background.
Trust and betrayal
Structured support for repairing after affairs, broken promises, or accumulated hurt — at a pace that is safe for both partners.
Expat pressures
Relocation, distance from family, career sacrifices, and differing ideas about where 'home' is can strain even strong relationships. We make room for both partners' realities.
Ready to invest in your relationship?
Book a free 15-minute consultation — together or on your own — to see if this is the right fit.