Rebuild Your Relationship with Proven Tools

If you’re here, chances are things between you and your partner don’t feel great. Maybe you’re stuck in the same arguments, feeling more like roommates than lovers, or avoiding conversations altogether. The Gottman Method couples therapy is one of the most respected, research-backed ways to rebuild connection, improve communication, and move from constant conflict to genuine closeness.

At Southwest Counseling Center, I use the Gottman Method with couples who want more than just venting—they want change that lasts. Whether you’re on the brink of breaking up or simply drifting apart, this approach gives you a roadmap back to each other.

What Is The Gottman Method?

The Gottman Method is a structured, science-backed approach to couples therapy that helps partners strengthen their relationship using decades of research—not guesswork.

At the heart of it is something called the Sound Relationship House, a simple framework built on nine key components that healthy, lasting relationships have in common. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Build Love Maps → Getting to know your partner’s inner world—what they love, fear, hope for, and struggle with.
• Share Fondness & Admiration → Replacing criticism with appreciation and focusing on the good.
• Turn Toward Instead of Away → Learning to respond to small bids for attention, affection, and connection.
• Maintain a Positive Perspective → Shifting how you interpret your partner’s behavior (less mind-reading, more trust).
• Manage Conflict → Understanding that some problems are solvable and some are perpetual—and knowing how to handle both.
• Make Life Dreams Come True → Supporting each other’s goals and values.
• Create Shared Meaning → Building a sense of “us” through rituals, roles, and long-term vision.
• Trust → Feeling confident your partner has your back.
• Commitment → Choosing each other, even when it’s hard.

It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being intentional. The Gottman Method gives couples tools to repair after conflict, reconnect emotionally, and build a relationship that can actually last.

At Southwest Counseling Center, I use this model because it works. And no, you don’t need to memorize the “house”—I’ll walk you through it in plain English and tailor it to what’s happening in your relationship.

This approach isn’t about digging up your childhood trauma or pointing fingers. It’s about giving you real tools to communicate better, repair quickly, and build trust—even if you’re starting from a rough place.

What to Expect in Gottman-Based Therapy

Couples therapy with the Gottman Method isn’t about pointing fingers or keeping score—it’s about learning how to actually hear each other again. The process is structured and intentional, giving you tools and insight, not just a space to vent.

The Assessment Phase

Every couple starts with a 90-minute joint session where we’ll outline what’s working, what’s not, and what you both hope to change. You’ll also complete research-based questionnaires developed by the Gottman Institute. These give us a data-driven snapshot of your relationship’s strengths, conflict patterns, and areas that need attention—so we’re not guessing our way through therapy.

Individual Sessions

Each of you will have a chance to share your perspective and personal history in a one-on-one session. These sessions are open—not secretive—because rebuilding trust starts with transparency.

This approach allows me to understand each partner’s experience fully while keeping the focus on the relationship itself—not creating sides.

Please note: Individual sessions are not confidential from your partner—anything shared may be discussed in joint sessions if clinically relevant. The goal is transparency, not surprises.

Personalized Roadmap

Once the assessment is complete, I’ll walk you through your results and we’ll build a treatment plan together. This roadmap outlines clear goals—whether that’s rebuilding trust after betrayal, learning how to communicate without constant escalation, or rekindling connection after distance has set in.

You’ll always know what we’re working on and why.

Skill-Building & Practice

Here’s where the real work happens. You’ll learn tools the Gottmans call the “Masters of Relationships” habits—how to manage conflict without it turning ugly, how to make repairs after arguments, and how to increase affection and friendship in your daily life.

In session, I’ll coach you through real conversations so you can practice in a safe space before trying it on your own. You’ll leave each session with practical tools you can use right away—not vague advice like “communicate more.”

Long-Term Change

Over time, you’ll start to notice the difference: fewer blowups, deeper understanding, and a stronger sense of partnership. Whether your goal is to heal from the past, strengthen what’s good, or decide what the next chapter looks like, the Gottman Method gives you strategies that last long after therapy ends.

This isn’t about temporary peace—it’s about learning how to stay connected, even when things get hard.