Marcia J. Gomez

Marcia J. Gomez, originally from Chile, is a clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience. She helps emotionally distressed couples and families to improve their relationships and develop more effective interpersonal skills. Marcia began training with The Gottman Institute in 2002 and, since then, has integrated Gottman Method Couples Therapy into her practice.
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She has a full-time private practice and primarily works with couples using the Gottman Method, as well as elements of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, and Dan Wile’s Collaborative Couples Therapy. In addition to her work as a Gottman Method Couples Therapist and trainer and consultant of the Gottman Method, Marcia has presented The Art and Science of Love workshop, with her colleague Michael Basta, three times per year since 2008. Also, as a Level 3 Trainer, she has been teaching Gottman Method Couples Therapy in California and in Latin America.
Marcia has pioneered Gottman Method Couples Therapy in Latin America. She and her husband have translated many of the Gottman training materials into Spanish. She has appeared for an interview on a local TV station in Sonoma County, and has participated in the weekly radio program, Healthy Couples, Healthy Families, on the local Santa Rosa National Public Radio in Spanish.
She has offered conferences on the Gottman Method, parenting, communications skills, and conflict management skills to families, couples, and professionals in California, Mexico, Guatemala, and Chile.
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*Accepting New Certification Candidates*
Marcia’s goal as a consultant is to make Certification Candidates feel comfortable, safe and encouraged in the certification learning experience. She enjoys and benefits professionally from giving Candidates feedback on their video cases. Although supervision through videotaping can be very challenging for clinicians, Marcia believes it is the most effective and accurate method to assess therapeutic skills and provide feedback to clinicians. She is always open to receive feedback from Consultees to make consultation an effective tool to achieve certification in a timely manner. Marcia offers consultation in both Spanish and English.
“In the certification process it was essential to have the advice and guidance of Marcia Gomez. She is a very good teacher and I have become a better therapist because of her. In addition, I want to highlight her generosity and human quality.”
You can contact Marcia directly to learn about her consultation pricing and more through her Gottman Referral Network profile here.
Lisa Lund

Lisa Lund is an accomplished trainer and sought-after speaker known for her energetic and entertaining presentations for both lay and professional audiences, including corporate settings, universities, conferences and community agencies.
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Lisa Lund, LMFT is a Certified Gottman Therapist, Workshop Leader and Trainer. She and her team at A Couple’s Place offer the Gottman “Art and Science of Love: Weekend Workshop for Couples” four times a year in Raleigh, North Carolina. Lisa also trains therapists who want to learn the Gottman Method of Couples Counseling. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in North Carolina and in California. Lisa was trained directly by Drs. John and Julie Gottman and has been a psychotherapist for over 25 years.
To learn more about Lisa, visit here.
LeMel Firestone-Palerm

LeMel Firestone-Palerm is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC 42162, since 2005) and a Certified Gottman Therapist (since 2012); she is also licensed as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPC 1534). Ms. Firestone-Palerm has extensive experience working with couples, children, families and individuals, both in a community mental health non-profit setting as well as in private practice. Research-based practices are a cornerstone of her work with children, families and couples, including: Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Triple P: Positive Parenting Program, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CGT, for children having experienced trauma), and Parent-Child Interactive Therapy (PCIT). Ms. Firestone-Palerm is honored to serve her clients with the best evidence-based practices available to meet their needs.
LeMel Firestone-Palerm now primarily serves clients in a private practice setting in the Los Angeles metropolitan area through SoCalCounseling.com and offers couples counseling through weekly sessions, marathon sessions, and couples weekend workshops in both English and Spanish.
Lawrence Stoyanowski

Since receiving his degree from one of the top five Marriage and Family Therapy Programs in the world, Loma Linda University, Lawrence Stoyanowski has been practicing marriage and family therapy since 1991. He has been a Certified Gottman Therapist since 2006 and has practiced the Gottman Method since 2004. After being introduced to the Gottman Method it became a passion of his to use with clients and to help other therapists integrate it into their practice. He feels that he is part of something that has real quality and purpose and his work with his couples have become very clear and focused. He also has absolute trust in this method, in everything from assessment to conflict regulation, to creating effective communication.
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As a speaker and presenter he wants to help facilitate, and inspire other clinicians to blend the Gottman Method into their practice and realize the benefits of this wonderful modality. He has enjoyed presenting over 30 times in different Gottman trainings and workshops which include The Art and Science of Love Gottman Workshops as well as teaching Level 1, 2, and 3 Gottman Method to other clinicians, and delivering presentations at the Annual Gottman Conference, and ASL trainings. Along with his business partner, Darren Wilk, he has trained clinicians in Level 3 of the Gottman Method since 2012. His leadership roles and experience at The Gottman Institute includes being a Certified Gottman Therapist, Certified Gottman presenter for The Art and Science of Love, Level I, Level 2, and Level 3 Gottman Method Trainer, Gottman Consultant, and The Art and Science of Love Presenter Trainer.
“It is my goal to help clinicians worldwide gain confidence and skills with the Gottman Method as they become proficient with all the interventions and methods. In my trainings and presentations I create a positive, comfortable, and humour filled, environment which is conducive to learning. It is so gratifying to see clinicians, become excited about the Gottman Method and to know that I had a part in influencing that outcome and helping to grow the Gottman Community. I am so passionate about the Gottman Method that when I first learned about it, along with my business partner, we developed our entire practice, bestmarriages.ca around the Gottman Method.”
Available for Consulting
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*Accepting New Certification Candidates*
Lawrence has been a Marriage and Family Therapist since 1991. After being introduced to the Gottman Method it has become a passion of his to use it with clients and to help other therapists integrate it into their practice. As a consultant Lawrence wants to help other therapists to blend the Sound Relationship House structure into their practice and realize the benefits of this wonderful modality. It is his goal to help Consultees gain confidence and skills with the Gottman Method as they become proficient with all the interventions. He tries to create a positive, comfortable, and humor filled, environment which is conducive to learning. Along with his business partner Darren Wilk, they have developed their entire practice, bestmarriages.ca around the Gottman Method.
Lawrence has enjoyed presenting several Art & Science of Love workshops as well as teaching Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 workshops to other clinicians.
He looks forward to collaboratively working with candidates as you have fun, learn, and grow together using the Gottman Method.
You can contact Lawrence directly to learn about his pricing and more through his Gottman Referral Network profile here.
Laura Heck

Laura Heck is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a private practice in Salt Lake City. She received her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Seattle and became a Certified Gottman Therapist in 2017. Her work includes couples therapy, online counseling, workshops, speaking engagements, and teaching for The Gottman Institute.
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While serving as Director of Professional Development at the Gottman Institute, Laura co-developed The Gottman Seven Principles Program together with then Clinical Director, Dr. David Penner, and authored The Seven Principles Companion Workbook. She continues as a Trainer for the program which has trained thousands of people to offer the Seven Principles Program in their communities, across six continents.
Laura is a charismatic and energetic speaker who’s love of life shines through her quirky and quick-witted presentations. Her transparency and authenticity is evident through her use of storytelling and examples of her own struggles in relationship with others. Laura is able to connect with audiences large and small, whether speaking to intimate groups or an audience of 900. Laura lives with her beloved and patient husband and their young son. She is honored to share the power of the Gottmans’ research with audiences around the world.
Katrin Modabber
More information coming soon!
Joy Allen
More information on Joy Allen coming soon!
Joni Parthemer

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Joni holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction degree and is both a Master Trainer and Education Director for the Bringing Baby Home Program. She also holds certification as a Childbirth Educator and International Childbirth Association Approved Trainer. Joni is a faculty member at the Simkin Center for Allied Birth Professions at Bastyr University as well as was a Birth and Family Educator at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, WA.
She has developed, published and implemented a variety of training materials for educators interested in providing support and growth programs for families. She is married and the mother of two children.
Jonathan Shippey

Jonathan Shippey has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice since 1999 and has served clients in the Louisville, Kentucky area since completion of his Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in 1997. Jonathan also holds a Masters degree in music composition from Southern Seminary, as well as a Bachelors degree in biology from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Jonathan is a Clinical Fellow with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and is a Senior Certified Gottman Couples Therapist and Master Trainer, having been personally trained by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. He regularly leads The Art and Science of Love weekend workshop for couples and the Level 1, 2, and 3 Gottman Method trainings for clinicians. Jonathan often serves as a roving therapist when the Gottmans lead couples workshops in Seattle and is among a select few whom John and Julie regularly invite to assist with private retreats in their home on Orcas Island, WA.
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Jonathan is also currently pursuing certification as an Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist, having completed an externship in EFT with Dr. Sue Johnson and the four EFT Core Skills workshops. Jonathan’s specialty in the field of couples therapy has led to several national speaking engagements, including a presentation for US Navy Seal Team Five, as well as a workshop at the national convention of the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy. Jonathan created and has led several Couples Odyssey workshops for combat trauma survivors and their spouses on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Project. Prior to becoming a therapist Jonathan was an army officer in Germany, serving as a platoon leader of combat medics in a forward-deployed tank battalion, followed by service as the company commander of the 130th Station Hospital in Heidelberg during Operation Desert Storm.
As a presenter, Jonathan has an engaging, personable, and respectful style and enjoys using story and metaphor to help audiences easily comprehend the material and to motivate listeners to apply what they learn. As a clinician, Jonathan has a passion for helping distressed couples, abuse and trauma survivors, post-divorce families and stepfamilies, servicemembers and veterans, and couples recovering from betrayals of trust. He enjoys leading one-on-one couples intensives (typically several days in a private retreat with one couple) as well as more traditional weekly therapy. Jonathan is dedicated to integrating Gottman method with Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and applying these research-based models to help couples and families not merely heal their relationships, but to create relationships that are healing.
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Jonathan been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice since 1999 and have served clients in the Louisville, Kentucky area since completion of my Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in 1997. He also holds a Masters degree in music composition from Southern Seminary, as well as a Bachelors degree in biology from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. John is a Clinical Fellow with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and am a Senior Certified Gottman Relationship Therapist and Workshop Leader, having been personally trained by Drs. John and Julie Gottman at their Seattle Relationship Institute. He regularly leads the “Art and Science of Love” weekend workshop for couples and the Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Gottman Method trainings for clinicians. He is often a roving therapist when the Gottmans lead couples workshops in Seattle and regularly serves as the sole therapeutic assistant when John and Julie lead private retreats in their home on Orcas Island, WA.Jonathan has completed an externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy with Dr. Sue Johnson and the four EFT Core Skills workshops. His specialty in the field of couples therapy has led to several national speaking engagements, including a presentation for US Navy Seal Team Five, as well as a workshop at the national convention of the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy. He created and has led several Couples Odyssey workshops for combat trauma survivors and their spouses on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Project. Prior to becoming a therapist Jonathan was an army officer in Germany, serving as a platoon leader of combat medics in a forward-deployed tank battalion, followed by service as the company commander of the 130th Station Hospital in Heidelberg during Operation Desert Storm.
As a clinician, Jonathan has a passion for helping distressed couples, abuse and trauma survivors, post-divorce families and stepfamilies, servicemembers and veterans, and couples recovering from betrayals of trust. He enjoys serving couples through marathon intensives as well as more traditional weekly therapy. As a Gottman Method Consultant, he offers an engaging, personable, and respectful style and is adept at helping clinicians develop mastery of key Gottman interventions, while also facilitating the integration of Gottman Method into their own therapeutic modalities and philosophies.
Jonathan is available for individual and group consultation. You can contact Jonathan directly through his Gottman Referral Network profile here.
John Flanagan

Since completing his Bachelor of Social Work in 1988 and later a Masters in Gestalt Therapy, John has had an extensive history in direct service delivery with couples and families. John has dedicated his career to attaining a high level of expertise in his field of practice and is committed to strengthening relationship therapy practices in Australasia.
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John was the first Social Worker in Australia to become a Certified Gottman Therapist, Level 3 Trainer and Consultant. This means that John has completed all levels of training and mentoring available through the Gottman Institute in Seattle, USA and can now provide training to other therapists in this modality as well as provide couples with world-class couple workshop experiences. He is one of only a small group of therapists in the world to hold this standing.
John is a certified presenter for all levels of Gottman therapist training and The Art and Science of Love Couples Workshop. He has completed his Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment and has delivered a broad range of training both accredited and non-accredited. He is an engaging and energic speaker committed to promoting an excellent learning environment and experience for participants
John is also completed training in several therapeutic modalities such, Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Gestalt Therapy
Over the last 20 years, John has provided a range of psycho-educational group programs for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and the Australian Defence Force to Australian veterans and their families in areas such as trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and resilience. He has provided training to therapists and human service organisations in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, USA and New Zealand.
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*Accepting New Certification Candidates*
John has had a wonderful journey working with couples and families for over three decades. He is a Mental Health Accredited Social Worker and has completed a Masters in Gestalt Therapy. After years of conversations with his business partner they established the Relationship Institute Australasia in 2012. Their guiding principle is to use Gottman Method Couples Therapy to help people build, repair and rejuvenate strong, sustainable relationships. To this end John has been delivering Gottman training to therapists across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, including Gottman Level 1, 2, 3 and the Art and Science of Love Workshop, as well as working as a relationship therapist in a busy private practice.
John has also continued to have a strong engagement in working with Australian Veterans and has a focus on trauma and PTSD for both the individual and in relation to the impact on relationships and families. The Gottman Consultation process is an exciting and challenging learning experience that greatly improves the consultees capacities, skills and confidence in working with couple. John believes in creating a safe, supportive and growth orientated climate within the consultation that promotes learning.
You can contact John directly to learn about his pricing and more through his Gottman Referral Network profile here.
John Crossen

In 2008 John became certified in Gottman Method Therapy, and soon after certified to offer The Art and Science of Love workshops and Seven Principles workshops. Since 2015, he has been a Master Trainer in all levels of Gottman therapy. John’s clinical and teaching experience with Gottman Method Therapy has been as a faculty member at Oregon Health & Science University, at Portland State University, and in private practice. In all of these settings, he has become familiar with the problems faced by couples, especially those working in health care, biomedical research and teaching professions, as well as their own clients.
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Key essential components of Gottman Method Therapy are to facilitate mutual acceptance, support emotional regulation, set meaningful goals, and work together confidently in relationships. John’s clinical philosophy is to develop understanding of the context of problems and to approach every challenge non-judgmentally.
Working with other professionals using Gottman Method Therapy nurtures strong collegial relationships through training and consulting. John has consistently encountered sensitivity, support and acceptance in his experience with The Gottman Institute. His commitment is to share the same warm empathy with colleagues expanding their own clinical proficiencies in Gottman Method Therapy.
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*Accepting New Certification Candidates – Reach Out For a Discussion*
During more than 30 years in private practice and on faculty at Oregon Health & Science University, John has become very familiar with the problems faced by couples involved in health care, biomedical research, engineering and teaching. His background in clinical psychology is grounded in research-based clinical practice best defined by term “third-wave” of cognitive-behavioral therapy, which emphasizes the understanding the context of problems and approaching them nonjudgmentally. This is also essential in Gottman Method Couples Therapy to help couples with emotional regulation, meaningful goal setting and developing confidence in working together when stuck or surprised by relationship difficulties. It has been a great joy for John to find rich opportunities to integrate this approach with other models of therapeutic change guided by a gentle and humanistic touch.
What has been most gratifying to John about working with colleagues using Gottman Method Couples Therapy is developing relationships with likeminded clinicians committed not only to the well-being of their clientele, but also to nurturing supportive relationships with each other as professionals. This sense of community has deepened since he began taking workshops at the Gottman Institute and became certified in 2008 to offer couples therapy, and soon after that to offer Art and Science of Love workshops and Seven Principles workshops. John has found the principles and applications of Sound Relationship House theory to be robust and flexible. Also, during his training experiences through The Gottman Institute, he has consistently encountered sensitivity, safety and acceptance in the experience of developing not only specific professional skills, but also in growing as a clinician. John’s commitment is to model and share these same kinds experiences from an interdisciplinary perspective with others undertaking the rewarding challenges of attaining and expanding proficiency in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.
You can contact John directly to learn about his pricing and more through his Gottman Referral Network profile here.
Jill Kahn
More information about Jill coming soon!