Intensive Gottman Couples Therapy

Making Marriage & Relationships Work: A Dynamic Approach of the Gottman Method in Deerfield & North Chicagoland, IL

Does it feel like your relationship is falling apart? Maybe you’re caught in constant arguments and can’t seem to find your way back to each other. Whether you want preventive support to strengthen your connection or focused help with the issues causing you pain, intensive Gottman couples therapy gives you concentrated time to work together and reach fast, meaningful results.

Relationships are meant to be fulfilling, but they’re not always smooth sailing—and that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with needing help sometimes.

The Gottman method approaches couples therapy through evidence-based techniques rooted in the Sound Relationship House Theory. It reduces conflict and feelings of stagnation while building intimacy, respect, affection, empathy, and understanding.

At our Deerfield counseling practice, we specialize in intensive Gottman method couples therapy, offering a personalized approach adjusted to your unique needs. Together, we’ll explore the challenges you’re facing, set therapeutic goals, and provide practical tools and coping strategies to help you navigate your relationship with strength and compassion.

Reignite the spark and rebuild your connection—without waiting months to see changes!

Common Challenges Intensive Gottman Couples Therapy Can Help With

Intensive Gottman method couples therapy can help address a wide range of issues in marriages and relationships, including:

Hurtful or ineffective communication patterns.

Difficulty discussing past hurts.

Feelings of loneliness, disconnection, or isolation.

Working through the pain of infidelity.

Challenges faced by neurodivergent couples.

Being overscheduled or unable to prioritize daily connection.

Parenting disagreements.

Substance abuse issues.

Start Intensive Gottman Couples Therapy in Deerfield, IL

Don’t let the emotional toll pull your relationship apart. You have the power to grow, heal, and reconnect—together. And we’re here to support you every step of the way!

How Intensive Gottman Couples Therapy Can Help You

Life as a couple can be challenging. You may be overwhelmed by emotions or feel like things are spiraling, but healing is possible.

With the Gottman method, intensive couples therapy equips you with the tools to help you grow as a couple—whether it’s expressing emotions or rebuilding trust.

Our goal is to build a collaborative relationship grounded in trust and mutual respect—one where you feel supported and truly heard. Together, we’ll strengthen your bond, deepen your commitment, and develop strategies to reconnect with greater ease and confidence.

Our certified Gottman therapist and practice owner Terri Ammirati with John Gottman.

How Intensive Gottman Method Couples Therapy Works

Here’s how our intensive Gottman method couples counseling works—so you know exactly what to expect from start to finish.

1. Love Lab Assessment

We begin with a comprehensive assessment to identify your relationship’s strengths and areas for growth. This helps us adapt the therapy process and session structure to your specific needs and goals.

2. Intensive Sessions

Sessions run five hours per day with a lunch break and are offered in either a one-day or two-day format. The one-day option is ideal for preventative care, while the two-day format—recommended in most cases—is best for couples looking to address deeper, unresolved issues.

During these sessions, you’ll engage in meaningful discussions about your challenges, process past hurts, and explore how they’ve impacted your relationship. You’ll also learn and practice effective communication skills and begin to rebuild connection and trust.

3. Conclusion & Next Steps

At the end of therapy, we create a personalized plan to help you continue your progress. The goal is to move forward with renewed strength, hope, and a deeper sense of connection.

What People Say About Intensive Gottman Method Couples Therapy

How We Approach The Gottman Method in Intensive Couples Therapy in Deerfield, IL

In intensive Gottman couples counseling, we’ll focus on four pillars designed to help you reconnect and create lasting change:

Teaching effective communication skills

We guide you through proven, research-based communication techniques developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman—and help you reconnect as friends.

Creating a safe space to grow together

You’ll learn to express your thoughts, feelings, and needs openly—and truly listen to one another—in a supportive and respectful environment.

Providing time to process past hurts

Daily intensive sessions give you time to explore past pain in healthier, more productive ways while building a deeper understanding of each other.

Developing a plan for the future

At the end of your sessions, we’ll create a personalized plan with clear steps to help you maintain and build on your progress in the months ahead.

Through intensive couples therapy at Ammirati Counseling Group, we help you navigate life’s challenges as a couple and develop healthier coping strategies. Our expert Gottman therapists provide practical tools to manage conflict, express emotions, and strengthen your relationship and overall well-being.

Get Started with Intensive Gottman Couples Therapy in Deerfield, IL

Looking for intensive couples counseling in Deerfield, Bannockburn, or the North Chicagoland area? Taking the first step can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to guide you through it with care and understanding.

1

Schedule a Free Consultation

Book a free 10-minute call with Terri Ammirati, our expert couples therapist, or fill out our intake form.

Book Your Session Dates

Together, we’ll find a time that works for you and your partner so you can get started quickly.

2

Renew, Restore, Rebuild

Begin your intensive and fast-track the path toward a stronger bond and a restored relationship.

3

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can benefit from intensive Gottman couples therapy—and who shouldn’t use it?

This approach offers many practical benefits and is best suited for couples who:

  • Want intensive therapy, but don’t live near a certified Gottman therapist.
  • Have busy schedules that prevent regular weekly sessions.
  • Need immediate support and guidance.

However, intensive therapy is not suitable in the following situations:

  • Active alcohol and/or drug use by one or both partners.
  • Violence, threats, or fear of violence in the relationship.
  • Untreated serious mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, psychotic depression, bipolar disorder).
  • Presence of an undisclosed, ongoing affair.
  • Suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or a history of self-harm or harming others.

Is a one-day format truly helpful?

Yes, a one-day intensive Gottman method couples therapy can be highly effective for certain situations, including:

  • Couples seeking preventative care.
  • Couples with minor issues to work through, but an otherwise strong relationship.
  • Couples preparing for marriage.

Are there risks involved in intensive Gottman method couples therapy?

Whenever we work on issues that have been causing pain, there’s always the possibility of emotional discomfort.

Because intensive Gottman couples therapy moves more quickly and deeply into your challenges, it may bring up difficult emotions such as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, loneliness, or helplessness. Painful memories or unresolved issues from your personal or shared history may also surface during the process.

Rest assured, our trained Gottman therapists will guide and support you every step of the way. And if we feel you would benefit from ongoing support after the intensive, we’ll recommend next steps to help your relationship continue growing in a healthy, meaningful way.

Can you predict whether a couple will stay together or divorce?

This is a common question, but the short answer is no—it’s not possible to predict who will stay together or divorce.

The Gottman method isn’t designed to predict divorce; rather, it aims to change the course of a couple’s relationship. It’s a dynamic approach that helps you rebuild and restore your connection while healing past wounds. Additionally, it offers resources to support your relationship’s growth and guide it in a positive direction.

Do you offer other options for couples seeking help?

Yes! We offer a popular workshop called The Art and Science of Love. It delivers results comparable to six months of couples therapy in a much shorter time and is designed for couples who want to improve their relationship quality.

We also provide traditional couples counseling with weekly sessions.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations made more than 7 days before your scheduled appointment incur a $500 cancellation fee. Deposits are non-refundable if canceled within 7 days of the session.

You may reschedule your session once, but the new date must be within 3 months of the original appointment. For more details, please visit our fees and insurance page or contact us directly.