What is Gottman Couples Therapy?
John and Julie Gottman have developed an empirically based treatment for couples who are struggling in their relationship. By learning and practicing positive skills, couples experience an increased sense of understanding within the context of their relationship. Couples learn how to maximize their partner’s wellbeing and not focus on their shortcomings.
How Does It Work?
Gottman couples therapy begins with an assessment of the relationship that then informs the therapy process. The goals of this therapy are to reduce conflict, increase intimacy, respect and affection, remove the feeling of stagnancy and increase empathy and understanding. Therapeutic interventions are designed to strengthen the areas of friendship, managing conflict and creating shared meaning. Couples learn how to change their patterns, repair past hurts, increase their closeness and intimacy, and create shared goals.
What can be treated with Gottman Couples Therapy?
Gottman can work with couples who are no longer able to communicate with one another effectively. It can help to address some of the biggest predictors of a relationship ending such as contempt, criticism, defensiveness and stonewalling. Gottman’s therapy can be effective treatment for many issues that couples struggle with including, frequent conflict, emotional distancing, sexual challenges, infidelity, financial problems and parenting challenges.
Gottman couples therapy is not appropriate for couples where there is any violence occurring.
