What is the Gottman Method for Couples Therapy?
The Gottman Method was developed by the psychological researcherJohn Gottman, and is a therapy model which focuses on the process of conflict within the relationship, and less on the content.
Gottman developed multiple models, scales and formulas to predict marital and relationship stability and divorce in couples. Gottman Method concludes that the four negative behaviors that most predict divorce or relationship failure are criticism of partners’ personality, contempt (from a position of superiority), defensiveness, and stonewalling, or emotional withdrawal from interaction usually due to feeling overwhelmed by criticism. On the other hand, stable couples handle conflicts in gentle, positive ways, and are supportive of each other.
Gottman therapy aims to increase respect, affection, and closeness, break through and resolve conflict, generate greater understandings, and to keep conflict discussions calm. The Gottman Method seeks to help couples build happy and stable marriages or partnerships.
If you and your partner are interested in the Gottman Method, feel free to give us a call at (425) 242-6267.