Couples and Family Therapy
It didn’t start out like this, right? At one point things in your relationship or within your family likely seemed effortless and now, it’s so much work.
Trouble connecting
Problems with intimacy
Difficulty trusting
Lack of communication
All of these themes can all lead to a lot of tension, pain and chaos.
And so here you are, researching help.
Seeking out couples or family counseling can feel so scary because it means you are actually acknowledging that a problem exists on some level. The good news is that by taking this step to get started, you are now on the path to mending what has felt broken.
Our goal for your family in this work is to help you each understand your roles in maintaining the place you are in, and helping you develop skills to move to a more desirable place together. Improving communication, healing past hurts, and developing a mutual respect for one another are all objectives to be met along the way, just to name a few. Though the initial work will challenge you, the end result will be worth it.
We have therapists who specialize in working with family and couples, so don’t hesitate to start today.
The Gottman Method for Couples
A Proven and Practical Approach for Lasting Relationships
Gottman Couples Therapy, developed by renowned researchers Drs. John and Julie Gottman, is an evidence-based approach grounded in decades of research. Their groundbreaking work has enabled them to predict with over 90% accuracy whether a couple will stay together or divorce. By identifying key factors that contribute to relationship success and pinpointing detrimental habits, they offer invaluable insights into the dynamics of lasting love.
The essence of Gottman Couples Therapy lies in its practical focus: to identify and repair behaviors that predict divorce, not to create a “perfect” relationship. The goal is to foster a “good enough” relationship, equipping couples with the tools they need to navigate challenges and build a stable, enduring partnership. This realistic and research-backed approach empowers couples to strengthen their bond and avoid the pitfalls that lead to separation.
The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy that includes a thorough assessment of the couple’s relationship, and integrates research-based interventions.
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
- create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship
Gottman Method sessions are 90 minutes and mostly together as a couple, with the exception of the second session where each partner has a 45 minute individual session with the therapist. In addition to sharing their relationship narratives and challenges, the couple will be asked to complete a thorough assessment in their own time, which will be scored, giving the therapist and the couple insights on the relationship and where to focus treatment goals.
Sessions are typically weekly for 3-5 months or until couples are committed to using the Gottman method interventions including continuing to repair, de-escalate, turn towards, share fondness and admiration, listen without judgment, etc. Then, follow ups are encouraged at a 6 month interval for reinforcement and to avoid relapse.
Lisa Pernini, LAC is trained in Levels 1 & 2 of The Gottman Method for Couples and is now accepting new clients.
