Gottman Relationship Builder

The Gottman Relationship Builder is a collection of exercises and videos offered by the Gottman Institute to improve your relationship and to greatly minimize chances of relapse. This powerful system of proven interventions includes:

  • 13 modules that cover all facets of the Gottman Method: friendship, intimacy, how well you know your partner, how you manage emotions and conflict, how you share your values and goals, and what gives meaning to your lives
  • 90 short and informative videos of Drs. John and Julie Gottman role-playing the right and wrong way to use your newfound skills (you do not have to watch all 90 videos, only the ones that are relevant to our work together)
  • 35 easy and fun exercises that you can do with your partner

My Approach to Couples Therapy

Gottman Method from assessment to scientifically proven interventions

I will be using the Gottman Method during our sessions. The Gottman Method was developed by the world-renowned psychologists Drs. John and Julie Gottman. It consists of a thorough assessment and a series of effective interventions. The assessment identifies challenging areas of your relationship. Over the last 40 years, Drs. John and Julie Gottman developed scientifically proven intervention techniques that have helped more than 100,000 couples. We will use these powerful techniques to deepen friendship and intimacy in your relationship. To help you productively manage conflicts, manage resolvable problems and dialogue about gridlocked issues. We will also work together to help you appreciate your relationship’s strenghts.

Structure

Assessment

In the first session we will talk about the history of your relationship, areas of concern, and your goals. After that you will fill in Gottman Relationship Checkup online questionnaires. In two individual 45 min. sessions I will learn each of your personal histories and to give each of you an opportunity to share thoughts, feelings and perceptions. In the final session of assessment, I will share with you my recommendations for treatment and we will work together to define therapy goals.

Gottman Relationshp Checkup consists of 337 questions about friendship, intimacy, how well you know your partner, how you manage emotions and conflict and how you share your values and goals. The questionnaire is completely confidential, fully HIPAA compliant, and I as your therapist will be the only person to see your responses. Upon completion, it automatically provides valuable clinical information by pinpointing specific strengths and challenges in your relationship, while also suggesting actionable, research-based recommendations for therapy.

Treatment

The length of therapy depends on many factors, such as the nature of your difficulties and readiness for change, as well as intensity of your work in between the sessions. We will establish points at which to evaluate your satisfaction and progress. Also, I will encourage you to raise any questions or concern that you have about therapy at any time.

Phasing out of therapy

We will meet less frequently in order for you to test out new relationship skills and to prepare for termination of the therapy.

Termination

Although you may terminate therapy whenever you wish, it is most helpful to maintain your treatment gains to have at least one session together to summarize progress, define the work that remains, and say good-bye.