Couples Work: The Gottman Method

I work with individuals and couples to support and repair troubled relationships and to strengthen happy ones. I have extensive education from The Gottman Institute, a reputable relationship counseling, research and training center founded by Drs. John and Julie Gottman committed to research on all facets of relationships for the last 5 decades. My approach is informed by the Gottman Method, which I consider the gold standard for helping couples. While I help clients build trust, repair conflicts, and deepen sexual and relational intimacy, your own unique roadmap will guide our work together and be broken into manageable steps, making progress toward a thriving relationship attainable. 

Betrayals and Affairs: Gottman Trust Revival Method

With profound relationship betrayal, one’s underlying values, beliefs, and emotional world collapse along with the relationship that has sustained them. Many of the symptoms seen in the worst physically related trauma reactions show up in those who have been betrayed by their intimate partners. My approach is heavily informed by the Trust Revival Method, developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, which is a structured approach to rebuilding trust after an affair. This method is based on principles from the Gottman Method and on other evidenced-based practices in couples therapy and includes recognition of and treatment for the trauma experienced by the betrayed partner.

Couples on the Brink Counseling/Discernment Counseling

A fundamental assumption in doing couples therapy is that both partners are invested in making the relationship work. However, many couples have mixed agendas, one is “leaning out” of the relationship, considering separation or divorce, and the other partner is “leaning in”. Discernment counseling, created by Bill Doherty, is the approach I use to help these couples through their ambivalence. This counseling is a short-term process (1-5 sessions). There is no goal to make changes in the relationship. Rather the goal is to increase clarity and confidence about the future of the relationship in addition to having a deeper understanding of the relationship dynamics and each partner’s own contributions. Ultimately, partners will be able to determine whether they want to work on the relationship, part ways, or maintain the status quo.