GOTTMAN METHOD
Gottman Therapy for couples counselling is practiced in Kitchener-Waterloo, Milton, Oakville, London and the surrounding areas. Anchoridge Counselling takes pride in the therapy practice offered to help clients with individual needs.
The Gottman Method is used to improve couples relationships. After a thorough assessment of the relationship, several researched-based tools are used to help improve communication, intimacy and relationship satisfaction.
Many couples are hesitant to start couples counselling for fear that the clinician may take sides" or shame or blame one partner, when in reality, this is not the case.
So what does happen in couples counselling?
A therapist can offer a supportive and non-judgemental environment in which couples can feel comfortable to talk and truly be heard. We can help you identify patterns of ineffective communication, better help you learn how to speak each other's 'love language', provide support as you work through unresolved issues, help you rediscover that spark you once had, or move towards a place of lasting companionship.
At Anchoridge Counselling, we view the premise of couple’s therapy as coming together to create a path to healing. Our therapists are trained to meet every couple’s unique relationship needs and situations. We create a conducive environment for both partners to reveal their feelings and needs about the past and present events. The therapist facilitates the dialogue between the couple and guides the partners to look at the feelings beneath the negative patterns. When each individual is committed to doing the work, being open about the ways the relationship has been hurtful, there’s room for tremendous growth.
A specific method for couples counselling developed by Dr. John Gottman and his wife Julie Gottman, the Gottman Method helps couples improve their relationship by:
- increasing empathy and understanding
- disarming conflict through improved verbal communication
-increasing respect, intimacy and affection
- remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnation in the relationship
John and Julie Gottman built the Gottman Method based on their Sound Relationship House theory that includes 9 principles of healthy relationships.
Based on the two foundational pillars of trust and commitment, couples:
Create shared meaning
Make life dreams come true
Manage conflict
The positive perspective
Turn towards instead of away
Share fondness & admiration
Build Love Maps
In session, Gottman Therapies are applied to help couples strengthen their relationship in three primary areas:
Conflict Management
Friendship
Creation of Shared Meaning
Who can benefit from Gottman Method couples counselling?
Those couples dealing with:
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Frequent conflict and arguments
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Poor communication
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Emotionally distanced couples on the verge of separation
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Specific problems such as sexual difficulties, infidelity, money, and parenting
Read more about the Gottman Method here, or take their free relationship assessment quiz.
Rather than shaming and blaming one partner or the other, the Gottman Method is about respect, communication openness and honesty.
AVAILABLE COUNSELLORS
Here are a few of our clinicians who specialize in the Gottman Method.
LOLITA SCHMALENBERG
GD-C, GC-SH, RSW
WATERLOO
EMMA GIAO
RP
WATERLOO