Gottman Method
The Gottman Institute is a world-renowned relationship therapy training and education center. Dr. John Gottman has been studying relationships and marriage stability for over 40 years and has come up with proven, science-backed methods of saving troubled relationships and strengthening those that have a solid base. Gottman method therapy teaches us how to build effective communication skills, renew our friendship, repair from conflict and heal from betrayal.
You can read more about the Gottman method here https://www.gottman.com/about/research/
All of our couples therapists are trained in the Gottman method, and receive regular consultation from a certified Gottman therapist as a part of their work if they are not already certified. Each clinician has their own unique style and additional modalities of which inform their work. Our clinicians are committed to providing an inclusive space for couples of all kinds to explore their relationship dynamics, communication, conflict management and connection. We strive to honor you where you are on your journey, whether married, dating, or engaged. Monogamous and ethically non-monogamous are welcome to come here and explore the nature of their unique relationship agreement.
Gottman Method Intake Steps
Step 1) Couples intake interview 80-90min
Step 2) Online relationship assessment through the Gottman Institute
Step 3) Individual intake with each partner, 60min each
Step 4) Summary and treatment planning 80-90min
Therapy Options
Traditional couples sessions are 90min in length and range between $200 and $300 per session, based on clinician. We suggest that our couples consider a minimum of 12 sessions as an initial start to therapy on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. It is imperative that a couple be ready to make the commitment to do the work in order to create the changes you desire for your relationship. Your therapist will consider unique treatment goals and discuss length of time working together once the intake process is complete.
Many couples engage in a minimum of 6 months of couples therapy. Affair and betrayal work is longer and more intensive and typically requires a minimum of a year of work together in order to repair and to rebuild your relationship.
Pre-Marital Counseling is offered in a similar fashion, involving extensive intake to understand each partner and guided exploration of longterm relationship goals, culminating with the tools to build a Sound Relationship House. This service can be offered as an a la cart service for premarital couples wanting to assess their relationship and get concrete tools to set up their commitment with one another from the beginning of their marriage. This would involve 4 sessions total.
Marathon and Intensive Counseling sessions are also offered by Chelsea, for couples who are in acute need regarding recent findings of breech in trust or betrayal, as well as to those interested in a deep dive into their relationship, where there is more time to address chronic concerns around deep hurts that are impacting the connection between partners. Intensive counseling sessions are also valuable for those couples seeking to expedite the intake steps into one intensive day, and therefore be able to start the work of therapy sooner. Some couples choose to engage in marathon sessions at the beginning of their relationship to help establish a solid foundation for their life together. Many couples describe this kind of intensive work as powerful and life altering, having spent the quality time together focusing solely on the relationship, without outside distractions and the limitations of shorter session time blocks.
This is offered similar to traditional format couples counseling services but longer in session length. For many couples, the damage that has been done to their relationship is extensive and has been lasting. When you ask for this type of counseling, we are expecting you to put in the effort over a long period of time and to not expect immediate results. Change takes time, but is possible, when you put in the effort to practice the skills you learn.
Many couples begin with a one day intensive of 6hrs, to compete the intake and assessment, followed by a second full day or half day to launch into their therapy journey once they have completed the assessment day.
Minimum session length is 3 hours / Maximum session length is 6 hours
The cost for marathon sessions with Chelsea, is $250 per hour. *A 3% credit card fee will be applied to all payments for services.