Relationships can be challenging and, during difficult times, many couples seek therapeutic intervention to provide guidance, communication skills, and mediation that help strengthen relational ties. Rather than refereeing conflicts or “fixing” partners, our Gottman-trained staff leverage 40 years of compelling research with over 3,000 couples to effectively guide couples across the chasm that divides them.
Couples will learn the skills to:
- compassionately manage their conflicts
- deepen their intimacy
- empower dialogue
- process their fights and heal their hurts
With SPS’ effective strategies to resolve their struggles, couples will have the foundation to reconnect and strengthen their relationships.
We combine two of the most proven approached to couples counseling. Emotion Focused Therapy and The Gottman Method.
Who Can Benefit from the Gottman Method?
In his New York Times bestselling book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, Dr. John Gottman writes, “Although you may feel your situation is unique, we have found that all marital conflicts fall into two categories: Either they can be resolved, or they are perpetual, which means they will be part of your lives forever, in some form or another.” Gottman says that 69% of marital conflicts are perpetual problems, and these are of particular focus in much of the work performed by Gottman-trained therapists.
The Gottman Method is designed to support couples across all economic, racial, sexual orientation, and cultural sectors. Outcome research has shown Gottman Method Couples Therapy to be effective for treating same-sex relationships.
Some of the relationship issues that may be addressed in therapy include:
- Frequent conflict and arguments
- Poor communication
- Emotionally distanced couples on the verge of separation
- Specific problems such as sexual difficulties, infidelity, money, and parenting
Even couples with “normal” levels of conflict may benefit from the Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Gottman-trained therapists aim to help couples build stronger relationships overall and healthier ways to cope with issues as they arise in the future.
Emotion Focused Couples Therapy
Using EFT throughout couples therapy is an effective approach to reduce conflict and distress that is present. Many times when couples are in discord there are underlying feelings that are present. When the couples can become more aware of the underlying emotions and start to overcome these they can strengthen their emotional bond and increase the trust that may have been damaged throughout the discord.