The Gottman Couple Therapy Method
The Gottman Method derives from the decades of research at the Gottman Institute, which specialises in relationship and couples therapy. Through their research, Drs. John and Julie Gottman developed what is known as The Sound Relationship House Theory, which identifies nine elements of healthy relationships.
The goals of Gottman Couples Therapy are to disarm conflicting verbal communication, increase intimacy, respect and affection, remove barriers that create a feeling of stuckness in conflicting situations, and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship. The Gottman Method involves working with you, using the methodological framework to systematically assess and provide specific feedback on your relationship, then bring in therapeutic interventions. What interventions are right for your relationship will depend on your particular issues, however they broadly fall into the following nine categories:
1. Building love maps
2. Sharing fondness and admiration
3. Turning towards each other
4. Managing conflict
5. Making life dreams come true
6. Creating shared meaning
7. Trust
8. Commitment