Alicia Branch-McDowell, LPC and Sara Castaneda-Castillo, LPC-Associate (supervised by Kelly Martin, LPC-S) are now offering Couples Therapy using Gottman Method, a research-based method of working with couples.
The Gottman Method is backed by 40 years of research and based on the and seven principals Dr. John Gottman found are needed to make any marriage or relationship work.
Now Offering Couples Therapy using the
Gottman Method
If you are interested in scheduling Couples Therapy or would like more information, please call us at (210) 314-1606 or fill out the form on the Contact Us tab.
If you would like more information on our two Couples Therapist, click the Meet the Counselors tab.
If you would like more information on The Gottman Institute and the Gottman Method, check out their website at www.gottman.com.
210-314-1606
Working together with children, ADOLESCENTS, ADULTS, Couples and families towards a positive change
KM Counseling Services, PLLC
What to Expect from the Gottman Method
When you schedule your first Gottman Couples Therapy Session you will be scheduling a total of 4 sessions to start.
- The First Session will be held together as a couple. This session is intended to gather information about the issues at hand.
- The Second and Third Session will be scheduled with each partner individually. This will allow the therapist to gather releveant background information on each individual.
- Couples will complete the Gottman Relationship Checkup. This is an online couple's assessment tool that is designed to identify and provide information about the strengths and challenges of the couple along with providing the therapist recommendations for interventions. More information on the Gottman Relationship Checkup can be found here.
- The Fourth Session will be held with the couple together and will involve reviewing the information gathered by the Gottman Relationship Checkup as well as discussing a plan for future sessions including setting goals, deciding on the frequency of future sessions.
- The remainder of sessions will focus on using specific interventions to address the challenges in the relationship and build on the strengths.
Who can benefit from the Gottman Method of Couples Counseling?
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. Therapists aim to help couples build stronger relationships overall and healthier ways to cope with issues as they arise in the future.
These Seven Principals include:
- Building Love Maps to help couples learn their partners inner world including their history, worries, stresses and joys
- Sharing Fondness and Admiration which focuses on building the amount of affection and respect in the relationship
- Turning Towards Instead of Away focuses on creating connection in the small moments of everyday life
- The Positive Perspective is creating a shared positive approach to problem solving and repairing the relationship
- Manage Conflict which involves accepting your partners influence, creating a healthy discussion about the problem including being able to self-soothe
- Make Life Dreams Come True in order to create an atmosphere within the relationship that encourages each other to talk openly about their hopes and dreams
- Creating Shared Meaning which involves creating a better understanding about your relationship