Our psychologist, Christine White, offers appointments for couple’s therapy. She follows the following approach:
Christine works using the Gottman Couple Therapy method. Vital to successful couples therapy is gaining an understanding of your particular circumstances, so she begins with seeing you together so that she can get a sense of what is currently happening in your relationship, as well an understanding of your history together.
Gottman Couple Therapy Method:
What to expect:
Couples will learn that therapy is an important tool for them when they are dealing with relationship and communication difficulties, and a want to discuss big issues in a therapeutic environment.
It helps couples talk openly about their feelings and behaviours, emotional and behavioural needs, manage relationship barriers to connection and manage intimacy and grow as a unit to balance the individual and couple needs.
What is Gottman Couple’s therapy method?
As per The Gottman Institute’s website, Gottman Method Couple’s Therapy is:
“The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy that includes a thorough assessmentof the couple’s relationship and integrates research-based interventions based on the Sound Relationship House Theory. The goals of Gottman Method Couples Therapy are to disarm conflicting verbal communication; increase intimacy, respect, and affection; remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy; and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship.”
For more information you can visit the Gottman Method Couple’s Therapy Website:
https://www.gottman.com/about/the-gottman-method/
Our Process:
There will be an initial 90 minute appointment with both of you in attendance. This is followed by one session with each of you individually that will be for approximately 60 minutes so Christine can get a sense of you and your needs as individuals. All other sessions are 90 minutes. It is also important that you both complete a range of questionnaires as part of the Gottman method, which will provide Christine with a wealth of information that allows her to fast-track your therapy.
You will each receive an email that contains a link that will take you to the Gottman questionnaires. These are standard assessments Christine asks every couple to complete. You do not need to complete them all in one go, you can save your answers and return to complete it at a later time.
It is important that you both complete your questionnaires before either of you return for your individual appointments of 60 minutes.
When you return for your next couple session, Christine will provide feedback from your questionnaires that will assist you in identifying your needs and options available to you that will help you to achieve your relationship goals.
If you have any further questions or concerns about this process don’t hesitate to contact reception.
*Please be aware that Saturday appointments may be available for couple’s therapy.