Gottman Method Couples Therapy

The Gottman Method is based on 45 years of research with over 3000 couples

When John Gottman commenced his research as a young eager psychology academic, he described himself as being profoundly ignorant about what makes for stable long-term couple relationships. 45 years later, after researching over 3000 couples, he is no longer clueless but a leading world expert in this field. He can now predict with 91% accuracy whether a relationship will fail or succeed after listening to a couple interact for as little as 15 minutes.

How is the research conducted?

At the Gottman Institute, couples voluntarily enter the “Love Lab” for 24 hours which is a typical bed and breakfast – except the participants’ every interaction is recorded and they wear monitors to measure changes in their physiological arousal ie: changes in heart rate, breathing, perspiration, immune functioning, level of wriggling in their chairs. Their urine is also tested for changes in the level of cortisol which is a hormone produced by stress. This data is then matched against the recordings of the couple’s words, behaviours, and facial expressions.

This unique research has examined couples from diverse ethnic groups, socio-economic backgrounds, and sexual orientation.

What has the research found?

What has emerged from studying over 3000 couples in this way, are very clear and predictable factors that lead to stable relationships and factors that result in divorce.

John and Julie Schwartz Gottman have developed a model called the Sound Relationship House. Within the pillars of trust and commitment are the following floors: knowing one another’s worlds, sharing fondness & admiration, turning toward not away, maintaining a positive perspective, conflict management techniques, making life dreams come true, creating common meaning, within the walls of trust and commitment.

What is Gottman Therapy ?

It involves 3 stages:

1. Assessment of couple relationship and setting goals – what are the strengths and challenges of the relationship according to the Sound Relationship House model; couples attend 2 combined and 1 individual sessions; they also complete a confidential online questionnaire
2. Active Therapy – with coaching in session and practice between sessions, couples begin to develop skills that create a deeper emotional connection within their relationship
3. Check-ins – once the goals are reached, sessions fade out to only occasional visits spaced at 6 monthly to yearly intervals. These check-in sessions consolidate the gains made during therapy.

My training as a therapist

Since 2007, I have completed Gottman group training levels 1 -3 and further individual training to become a Certified Gottman Therapist.

A Certified Gottman Therapist describes a practitioner who has been assessed by the Gottman Institute as demonstrating expertise in the field of Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

The certification track is an intensive and extensive 1 on 1 coaching program that reviewed my ability to demonstrate Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Over three years, my video recorded work with couples was supervised by Australia’s most senior Gottman consultant, Trish Purnell-Webb, and video samples were examined by the Gottman Institute. This process was very intense but I learnt a l.