Speaker Specialization: Health Issues

Currently, Basta primarily sees couples in my practice using Gottman Method; however, Basta also utilizes elements of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, and Dan Wile’s Collaborative Couples Therapy. Basta believes that one of the strengths of the Gottman Method is its adaptability to complementary methods. In addition to his work as a Gottman Method Couples Therapist, Basta has been providing the Art and Science of Love Workshop (with my colleague Marcia Gomez) three times per year since 2008.

Basta finds it invaluable to be part of the community of Gottman clinicians, as collaboration with his colleagues challenges him to continue to learn and grow as a clinician. Basta is honored to be part of this talented and dedicated group of professionals. One way that Basta maintain his connection with the community of Gottman clinicians is to serve as a Master Teacher at the Gottman’s couples workshops in Seattle, training Gottman Method Therapists to become effective roving clinicians.

Basta believes that consultation is the central process for therapists to integrate Gottman Method into their work. It troubles him that many clinicians seem to think of Gottman Method as being restricted to psycho-education. Basta believes that it is important for those learning Gottman Method to develop an understanding of the potential depth and breadth of the approach in addition to mastering the specific techniques. Further, Basta believes that the consultant-consultee relationship needs to be one of trust and honesty. He believes that it takes some courage for clinicians — who are often used to working in privacy — to expose their work to others through case discussion and video tape review. It is important to develop a relationship of safety and collaboration for the consultation process to be effective.

*Accepting New Certification Candidates*

Michael is a clinical social worker with 30 years experience helping emotionally distressed couples and families to improve their relationships and to develop more effective interpersonal skills. He began his training as a Gottman Method Couples Therapist in 2002 and this method has become the central focus of his practice. Michael is appreciative for the clear road map that it has given him for his work with couples.

Currently, Michael primarily sees couples in his practice using Gottman Method; however, he also utilizes elements of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, and Dan Wile’s Collaborative Couples Therapy. He believes that one of the strengths of the Gottman Method is its adaptability to complementary methods. In addition to Michael’s work as a Gottman Method Couples Therapist, he has been providing the Art and Science of Love Workshop (with his colleague Marcia Gomez) three times per year since 2008. He has also been presenting Level, Level 2, and Level 3 trainings.

He finds it invaluable to be part of the community of Gottman clinicians, as collaboration with his colleagues challenges him to continue to learn and grow as a clinician. He is also honored to be part of this talented and dedicated group of professionals. One way that Michael maintains his connection with the community of Gottman clinicians is to serve as a Level 3 Trainer at the Gottman’s couples trainings in Seattle, training Gottman Method Therapists to become effective roving clinicians.

Michael believes that consultation is the central process for therapists to integrate Gottman Method into their work. It troubles him that many clinicians seem to think of Gottman Method as being restricted to psycho-education. He believes that it is important for those learning Gottman Method to develop an understanding of the potential depth and breadth of the approach in addition to mastering the specific techniques. Further, Michael believes that it the consultant-consultee relationship needs to be one of trust and honesty. It takes some courage for clinicians – who are often used to working in privacy – to expose their work to others through case discussion and video tape review. It is important to develop a relationship of safety and collaboration for the consultation process to be effective.

You can contact Michael directly to learn about his pricing and more through his Gottman Referral Network profile here.

As a clinician, Mary Beth’s passion is to aid couples in healing their relationships and spreading the Gottman message. She offers four modalities of Gottman Method™ Couples Therapy:  Couples counseling, marathon therapy, The Art & Science of Love Weekend Workshops and premarital counseling.  She has an interest in working with clients with LGBT concerns, Emotion Coaching skills for parents, women’s issues and couples affected by affairs. She also trains mental health clinicians in Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the Gottman Method, and serves as a consultant for therapists pursuing certification.

In both her career as a dietitian and therapist, Mary Beth has written and contributed to numerous articles in both professional and lay publications. She has been a featured speaker at local, state and national events. Media appearances include YouTube videos, local television news interviews, continuing education videos, and a segment on Prime Time Texas. Mary Beth’s has an engaging speaking style that infuses humor, warmth and personal stories.

*Accepting New Certification Candidates*

Mary Beth is passionate about the Gottman Method and has built a successful therapy practice around it. She loves seeing couples heal their relationships through counseling and marathon therapy, as well as The Art & Science of Love workshops, which she teaches four times per year. Mary Beth stays busy by conducting Gottman Trainer workshops at all levels, as well as working on an Emotion Coaching project for TGI. To stay connected to the Gottman community she roves at The Art & Science of Love workshops in Seattle, and has built a strong network of colleagues and friends. In short, Mary Beth believes in the Gottman Method and loves what she does.

In addition to being a Licensed Professional Counselor, Mary Beth has worked for many years as a dietitian, often blending her two specialty areas. Her background is varied with clinical experiences in both inpatient and outpatient settings, teaching at Texas A & M University and managing a graduate level internship program, and working with unique populations including domestic violence and LGBT. Mary Beth’s style in working with clients and students alike is straightforward, collaborative and compassionate. She has not forgotten what it is like to be a consultee struggling to get videotapes, so she can offer plenty of empathy, advice and humor to keep that process going smoothly.

Mary Beth is happily married with a teenage son, retired racing greyhound, and the sweetest Australian Shepherd on the planet. She is a nature junkie and loves to hike, run, garden, eat healthfully and travel to scenic destinations.

You can contact Mary Beth directly to learn about her consultation pricing and more through her Gottman Referral Network profile here.