What is the Gottman Method?

What is the Gottman Method? was written by our newest psychology intern, Ashley Piscottano, at D’Arienzo Psychological Group in Jacksonville, Florida.

Dr. John Gottman is a psychologist, who is known for his work on marital stability and predicting divorce.  John Gottman has conducted successful research on marriage and parenting for 40 years. He has won many outstanding awards in psychology and has published over 200 academic articles and 40 books (Gottman Institute 2016).  John is an emeritus of psychology professor at the University of Washington. He and his wife, Dr. Julie Gottman, founded the Gottman Relationship Institute.

Dr. Julie Gottman is a clinical psychologist, who is known for her expert advising on marriage, sexual harassment and rape, domestic violence, gay and lesbian adoption, same-sex marriage, and parenting issues. She is the clinical director of The Gottman Relationship Institute and clinical supervisor for the Couples Together Against Violence study (Relationships First, 2015). She also has been recognized for her clinical psychotherapy treatment and has published five books.

The Gottman Relationship Institute focuses on couples research and development. The institute uses couples therapy referred to as the Gottman Method, which includes Art and Science of Love workshops and take-home training materials for couples. The Gottman Method Couples Therapy helps couples understand each other, become closer and resolve conflict issues.

The Gottman Method Couples Therapy identifies and addresses couples’ conflicts in order to help them have better communication and understanding. The therapy begins with the therapist having individual assessments with each partner, and then a therapeutic framework can be made between the couple and therapist. Therapeutic Interventions are then used when the therapist identifies where improvements are needed within the relationship (McNulty, 2015).

The main goal of the Gottman Method Couples Therapy is for couples to develop the nine components of a healthy relationship, referred in the practice as the Sound Relationship House. The nine components include: building love maps, sharing fondness and admiration, turning towards each other, the positive perspective, managing conflict, making life dreams come true, creating shared meaning, trust, and commitment (McNulty, 2015).

Through the Gottman method, couples will be able to develop a healthier and happy relationship with their significant other.

Founders of the Gottman Method: Drs. John and Julie Gottman

References

McNulty, Kate (2015). “Gottman Method.” Couples Therapy, Goals and Principles.

http://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/gottman-method

The Gottman Institute (2016).

https://www.gottman.com/about/john-julie-gottman/

Relationships First (2015). John and Julie Gottman.

http://relationshipsfirst.org/john-julie-gottman/

If your marriage or relationship is in trouble or if you just need a relationship tune up, take the time to read some additional Gottman material and consider seeing a highly qualified couples expert to assist in resolving your conflict or improving your relationship. Contact us at 904-379-8094 or at [email protected] if you are interested in participating in couples counseling or marital therapy with our Gottman trained psychologist, therapists, or counselors.