​

The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy is based on Doctor John Gottman’s research that began in the 1970s and continues to this day. The research has focused on what makes relationships succeed or fail.  From this research doctors John and Julie Gottman have created a method of therapy that emphasizes a “nuts and bolts” approach to improving clients’ relationships.

 

This method is designed to help teach specific tools to deepen friendship and intimacy in your relationship. To help you productively manage conflicts, you will be given methods to manage “resolvable problems” and dialogue about “gridlocks” (or perpetual) issues.  We will also work together to help you appreciate your relationship’s strengths and gently navigate through its vulnerabilities.

 

Gottman Method Couples Therapy consists of five parts:

 

• Assessment – three sessions including an online assessment tool which is to be completed by each partner individually prior to the first session. The online assessment is at an additional cost of about AU$60 per couple.

• Treatment

• “Phasing Out” of Therapy

• Termination

• Outcome Evaluation

 

The online assessment is thorough and will generate a report that will help us understand your relationship, and areas of concern and identify your strengths. In the first session, we will talk about the history of your relationship and discuss goals for treatment.

 

In some cases, I will meet with you individually to learn each of your personal histories and to allow each of you to share thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. In the final session of assessment, I will share with you my recommendations for treatment and work to define mutually agreed upon goals for your therapy. 

 

Most of the work will involve sessions where you will be seen together as a couple. However, there may be times when individual sessions are recommended. I may also give you exercises to practice between the sessions. 

 

The length of therapy will be determined by your specific needs and goals, during therapy we will establish points at which to evaluate your satisfaction and progress, also I will encourage you to raise any questions or concerns that you have about therapy at any time. 

 

In the later stage of therapy, we will “phase out” or meet less frequently for you to test out your new relationship skills and to prepare for the termination of the therapy. Although you may terminate therapy whenever you wish, it is most helpful to have at least one session together to summarize progress, define the work that remains, and say goodbye. 

 

In the outcome-evaluation phase, as per the Gottman Method, four follow-up sessions are planned: one after six months, one after 12 months, one after 18 months, and one after two years. These sessions have been shown through research to significantly decrease the chances of relapsing into previous, unhelpful patterns. In addition, commitment to providing the best therapy possible requires ongoing evaluation of methods used and client progress.  The purpose of these follow-up sessions then will be to fine-tune any of your relationship skills if needed and to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy received.

 

Generally, the duration of couples counselling sessions is longer than individual sessions, to allow both partners to have ample time to express their needs and practice the new ways of communicating.

 

The Gottman Method suggests 80 to 90 minutes for couple’s sessions and 45 to 50 minutes for individual sessions.

 

Permission for digitally recording and videotaping therapy sessions  

 

Therapist explanation:

As a primary tool in the Gottman Method Couples Therapy and to augment your therapy work I use videotape feedback as part of the therapy session. This means that I may ask to videotape you during specific dialogues or exercises or entire sessions. We may playback these tapes in session to help you see patterns of behavior between the two of you and to help you process conflicts. By viewing the videotape in session, it allows us to “stop action” and process how you might approach a conflict in a more productive way it also allows you to witness your progress as your relationship becomes more satisfying to both of you. 

 

In addition to in-session use, I may wish to use the videotape to receive consultation from Drs. John and Julie Gottman or a Gottman Relationship Institute senior clinician. This may occur during the time of treatment or thereafter for peer review education and quality assurance. During this process, your name will be kept confidential. In addition, all matters discussed in consultations will remain completely confidential within the Gottman Relationship Institute clinical staff. The videotapes will be used for no other purpose without your written permission, and they will be erased when they are no longer needed for these purposes. 

 

These tapes are my property and will remain solely in my possession during the course of your therapy copies may be sent to Gottman Relationship Institute for the purpose noted above should you wish to review these tapes for any reason we will arrange a session to do so. These materials will remain in locked facilities at all times.