Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Couples who enter into Gottman Method Couples Therapy begin with an assessment process that then informs the therapeutic framework and intervention.
Assessment A conjoint session, followed by individual interviews with each partner are conducted. Couples complete questionnaires and then receive detailed feedback on their relationship.
Therapeutic Framework The couple and therapist decide on the frequency and duration of the sessions.
Therapeutic 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 enhance 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.
Drs. John and Julie Gottman developed nine components of healthy relationships known as The Sound Relationship House Theory. Gottman’s have been doing research on couples for 40 years and written about 40 books. They also train therapists to help clients.
You can find out more about them by going to their website: https://www.gottman.com/about/the-gottman-method/
Sabrina Walters, M.A., LMFT, LPC
Gottman Certified Trainer Sabrina Walters Bio:
Sabrina is a Gottman Certified Therapist and she holds a Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from George Fox University and a Bachelors of Science in Music from Linfield College. Major coursework includes human growth and development, family and couples counseling, multicultural counseling, drug and alcohol counseling, spirituality, Gottman Couples Therapy, and the Core Values Index™. She has been practicing therapy since 2004 and continues to enjoy helping couples and individuals thrive in their lives.
