Intensive Gottman Couples Therapy

Intensive Gottman Couples Therapy offers some practical benefits as well. It’s a good fit for couples who want intensive therapy but don’t live in the vicinity of a Certified Gottman Therapist. It’s also a good fit for couples whose schedules do not allow for them to go to weekly therapy sessions. And finally, it’s a great fit for couples who need to get help immediately.

Yes, Intensive Gottman Couples therapy is offered for either one day, or two or three day. A one-day Gottman Intensive is appropriate for couples seeking preventive care, couples with a solid relationship that have some minor issues to work, and couples interested in premarital preparation.

It’s a condensed and focused approach where the couple meets with the support of a therapist over the course of three or four consecutive days for (5) total hours per day. The process begins with a comprehensive assessment tool called the Gottman Love Lab. This assessment is an irreplaceable tool for providing both the couple and the therapist essential insight into their strengths as well as the areas of greatest need. This allows the therapist and the couple to completely tailor the intensive therapy to their specific needs and goals. The structure of the sessions are outlined in the assessment report in conjunction with the goals and needs of the couple. 

On the second and third day, you will have time to talk in depth about the struggles and challenges of the relationship that simply cannot happen in the traditional style of couples therapy. There is time to process past injuries that have never healed, and time to understand how these injuries have impacted the relationship. There is time to learn and practice new communication skills to help you have more productive conversations. There’s time to rebuild.

It is important, however, that you also understand the risks involved. Despite the “nuts and bolts” approach of this method, the Intensive Gottman Couples Therapy format may move you more quickly and intensely into the areas of difficulty to be addressed. Therefore, you and/or your partner may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, loneliness, and helplessness. Your therapy may also involve recalling unpleasant aspects of your history together and/or individually.

This is a common question that we received and  the answer is no, participating in Intensive Gottman Couples Therapy can not predict who will stay married or who will get a divorce.

The Gottman Method, which is the approach used for Intensive Gottman Couples Therapy, was created to change the trajectory of a couple’s relationship, not to predict  divorce. Intensive Gottman Couples Therapy can provide a dynamic format to enable the relationship to heal and from past injuries. We  teach tools to help you move your relationship in a positive direction as you begin the process to rebuild and restore the relationship. It can also provide a wealth of resources to follow up with to assist your relationship as you move forward.

Should you have any questions regarding the following issues, please contact us for clarification about whether Intensive Gottman Couples Therapy is suitable for your situation. These issues are:

1. If there is active alcohol and/or drug addiction on the part of either or both partners, from either partner’s perspective
   If there is serious violence in your relationship, threats by one or both partners that serious violence might occur, or fear of such serious violence on the part of one or both partners
2. If either partner currently has an untreated major mental illness (schizophrenia, recurrent psychotic depression, or bipolar/manic-depressive illness.) Note: This does not include past, successfully treated psychotic episodes (e.g. postpartum depression with psychosis)
3. If there is an undisclosed, current affair that you are not willing to disclose (such secrets predict marital therapy failure)
4. If there is an ongoing affair and the partner having the affair is not willing to disclose (such secrets predict marital therapy failure)
5. If either partner is currently experiencing suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or has a history of serious harm inflicted on him/herself or another person

Cancellations can be made up to 7 days prior to your scheduled appointment with a $500 cancellation fee. Deposits are non-refundable within 7 – day of the scheduled session.

Your session can be rescheduled one time. However, the new date must be within 3 months of your original date.