What is the Gottman Method?

The Gottman Method is a widely utilised and highly regarded approach to couples therapy, embraced by psychologists all over the world. It aims to:

• Disarm conflicting verbal communication
• Increase intimacy, respect, and affection
• Remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy
• Create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship

By conducting counselling sessions both together and separately, the psychologist aims to gain an in-depth understanding of the dynamic at play in your relationship. From here, they can provide tailored guidance and evidence-based techniques to improve your relationship in three key areas – friendship, conflict management and the creation of shared meaning.

Another term often used in couples therapy is the “Four Horsemen”, which refers to the four key elements of an unhealthy relationship – criticism of the partner’s personality, defensiveness, stonewalling (or refusing to interact) and contempt.

The Gottman Method aims to combat these negative patterns by helping the couple to develop more positive and productive responses to relationship situations.

What are the benefits of engaging in couples therapy with the assistance of the Gottman Method?

At Your Psychologist in Elsternwick, we’ve seen couples seek therapy due to relationship issues like frequent arguing, difficulty communicating, mistrust, dissatisfaction with sexual or emotional intimacy, co-dependency, and coping with shared trauma or grief.

Using an integrated approach that combines schema therapy with the Gottman Method, evidence-based psychologist and internationally accredited coach Franco Greco focuses on the complex interplay between two people and their history, with the goal to:

• 
  Improve communication
• Rebuild trust
• Identify key areas that lead to conflict
• Teach partners how to manage conflict in a healthy way
• Establish a greater sense of respect for one another
• Improve couples’ abilities to deal with issues such as parenting, sexual problems, grief, loss and separation

This model suggests ways to explain, improve and resolve some of the obstacles to successful relationships, through its focus on meeting basic human needs – that is to feel safe, secure, connected and cared about. Together, we’ll explore the factors that interfere with getting those needs met in healthy and adaptive ways.

Book an appointment at Your Psychologist in Elsternwick 

No relationship is perfect. However, if you and your partner feel that your relationship would benefit from couples therapy, don’t hesitate to book an initial consultation with Franco Greco today. We also provide divorce mediation therapy, depression counselling and other evidence-based therapy services.