Some Common Questions About Therapy Referrals
Q. Where can we find a therapist who is trained in Gottman Method™ couples therapy?
A. The new Gottman Referral Network (GRN) is the primary resource for couples worldwide who are seeking Gottman Method Couples Therapy. In an effort to provide help for the increasing numbers of couples asking for Gottman Method Couples Therapy, our Referral Network now lists licensed, trained Gottman Method clinicians who have completed Level 2: Assessment, Intervention, and Co-Morbidities, and those who have completed Level 3: Practicum Training, in addition to our many Certified Gottman Therapists™.
Q. What are the credentials of a Certified Gottman Therapist?
A. Each Certified Gottman Therapist has a master’s level education or above, and has many years of clinical experience. A Certified Gottman Therapist is an individual who has completed the certification program offered by The Gottman Institute. This program includes completing: 1) Level 1: a two-day live workshop by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, a CGT Master Trainer or on home study; 2) Level 2: a four-day Advanced Training program led by Drs John and Julie Gottman, a CGT Master Trainer or on home study; and 3) Level 3: a live interactive Advanced Study Practicum by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, or a CGT Master Trainer. The therapist must also have completed at least 8 individual sessions or 12 group sessions of consultation provided by a Senior Certified Gottman Therapist. Finally, the therapist must have submitted tapes for review by Dr. Julie Gottman and/or other Senior Certified Gottman Therapists, and based on those video demonstrations, qualify to be a Certified Gottman Therapist. PLEASE NOTE: Any therapist or health professional who has not completed ALL of the above trainings may not call themselves a Certified Gottman Therapist.
Q. Can you refer us to a Gottman Method Couples Therapist in our state?
A. We have Gottman Method Therapists throughout the United States, Canada and in several foreign countries. Please click here to see a state-by-state list of Gottman Referral Network Therapists.
Q. Where is therapy conducted?
A. All Gottman Method Therapists practice independently and work out of their own offices.
Q. What is the cost of therapy? Does insurance cover it? Do you offer discounts?
A. Each Gottman Method Therapist is free to set his or her own fees and to make his or her own decisions regarding insurance and/or adjusted fees. Please contact the therapist directly to discuss fees and insurance with them.
Q. How many sessions will it take to solve our problems?
A. Obviously, each couple is unique and there is no “average” number of sessions. The therapy begins with a 3-step assessment process where the clinician meets with the couple together, with each partner individually and reviews extensive relationship questionnaires completed by each partner. This assessment provides the foundation or road map for their therapeutic journey. Once the assessment is completed, the couple and the therapist will decide the frequency and duration of the couple’s sessions. The goal of the work is not to make couples “therapy-dependent.” Rather, the therapist attempts to provide couples with the skills and tools they will need to become competent at using the Gottman Method in their daily lives, and offers the clinical intervention necessary to assist couples toward achieving that goal.
Q. What if there is no Gottman Method Therapist in my area?
A. If there is no Gottman Method Therapist in your area, Intensive (marathon) Therapy for non-local couples is available. Marathon therapy consists of several consecutive days of longer therapy sessions (typically 4-6 hours per day for 2-5 consecutive days). Intensive Therapy can be arranged in conjunction with a couples weekend workshop (before, after, or a combination), or it can be arranged between the workshops. Another option for out-of-state couples is our home study Video Workshop for Couples called “The Art and Science of Love.” Please click here to purchase this resource.
Q. What if one of us has a lot of personal issues to work on?
A. Sometimes individual therapy is indicated for one or both parties involved in couples therapy. If that should happen, your therapist will assist you in getting matched with an appropriate therapist for the individual treatment. For clients of Intensive Therapy who do not live in Washington's Puget Sound area, we can assist in providing more general guidance for locating an appropriate individual therapist in your local area.
Q. I live in another state. Can I do therapy with a Certified Gottman Therapist over the phone?
A. No. Because licensing for therapists differs from state to state, our therapists cannot do therapy over the phone. In addition, the Gottman Method relies extensively on visual as well as verbal cues, so to conduct this therapy ethically therapists need to see as well as hear you. If there is no Gottman Method Couples Therapist in your area, we suggest that you consider coming to our couples workshop or arranging for Intensive Marathon Therapy in Washington.
Gottman Method Therapists, including Certified Gottman Therapists, are all licensed or certified therapists who practice independently in their state, province, or country and are not supervised or monitored by Drs. John or Julie Gottman or The Gottman Institute. However, each has been specifically trained by Drs. John and Julie Gottman or Certified Gottman Therapist Master Trainers to provide Gottman Method Couples Therapy.