I am a Certified Gottman couples Therapist. Gottman Method Couples Therapy relies on the knowledge and wisdom of nearly forty years of studies and clinical practice to help couples break through barriers and achieve greater understanding, connection and intimacy in their relationships. Unlike most couples counseling, the Gottman Method is a structured, goal-oriented and scientifically-based therapy that utilizes specific, research-based interventions and exercises. Intervention strategies are based upon empirical data from Dr. Gottman’s study of more than 3,000 couples. This research shows what actually works to help couples achieve a long-term, healthy relationship.

Gottman Method Couples Therapy was developed out of this research to help partners:

• Increase respect, affection, and closeness
• Break through and resolve conflict when they feel stuck
• Generate greater understanding between partners
• Keep conflict discussions calm

My studies have also included Emotion Focused Couples Therapy with Dr. Sue Johnson.

When your primary relationship works well, your sense of health and well-being is greatly enhanced. In my experience, partners want to both support and feel supported. They want to heal from past hurts, overcome difficult patterns and cope with life stresses, and they want to do this together. If they have lost touch with their capacity to enjoy each other, they want to rekindle that.

Therapy can help a couple have the difficult conversations in a way and place that is safe and productive. Together we work to move beneath the “content” of the argument to a deeper level of understanding of each partner’s wants and needs. We then work to discover and create ways that the relationship can support these.

In my couples practice, the first 3 sessions are dedicated to assessment and understanding. I meet with the couple together and with each partner individually to gain an understanding of the relationship’s strengths as well as areas for growth. After this comprehensive assessment, I provide the couple with feedback about their relationship and strategies for moving forward. From that point on, we meet on a weekly basis for either a 50 or an 80-minute session.

Utilizing the research-based, goal oriented interventions and techniques, we work to develop and enhance the relationship’s strengths, while at the same time, addressing obstacles and improving on areas of debilitation and dissonance.