How Does the Gottman Method for Couples Counseling Work?
The first four sessions and the assessment are structured differently than ongoing therapy. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
Session One: Joint Session (50 minutes)
● Both partners attend the first session to discuss the history of the relationship and the reasons for seeking therapy.
● If both partners are comfortable with continuing, I will assign the Gottman Relationship Assessment to be completed at home.
● Payment for the first four sessions and the assessment is due at this time ($750 package cost).
Sessions Two & Three: Individual Sessions (45-50 minutes each)
● These sessions are held individually with each partner to review the results of the assessment and explore their personal lives.
● If there are any concerns about continuing therapy, they will be addressed during these individual sessions.
Session Four: Joint Session (90 minutes)
● Both partners return for this session, during which I will review the results of the assessments. We will discuss the couple’s strengths and challenges, as well as my plan for therapy.
● I will introduce the first strategy for improving the relationship, which we will work on together.
Ongoing Therapy
Session Frequency & Cost: Ongoing sessions are $175 for a 50-minute session. We will typically focus on an area of challenge in the relationship, and I will teach you more effective ways to navigate these issues.
Homework: Between sessions, couples will often have a task or "homework" to practice together based on what was learned during therapy.
Flexible Payment: If you're unsure about continuing after the first session, you can pay the session rate of $175. If you choose to proceed, the remaining $575 can be paid to schedule the assessments and the next three sessions.
Is Couples Therapy Covered by Insurance?
I utilize the Gottman Method for couples counseling. In my approach, I do not diagnose either partner during couples therapy because I strongly believe the couple is the client, not just one individual. Diagnosing one person in the couple can sometimes lead to blame being placed on that individual.
In some cases, I may do a combination of couples sessions and individual sessions. Individual sessions may be covered by your insurance if you have a pre-existing condition or if you feel a diagnosis is necessary. If that’s the case, I will conduct an assessment and determine the next steps. However, individual sessions are not typical in couples therapy within my practice, and for this reason, couples therapy is generally not covered by insurance.
Why the Gottman Method?
The Gottman Method is an evidence-based tool that has been shown to work effectively with couples. I typically see improvement very quickly when couples engage with and implement the tools from this method.
Most couples experience long-lasting changes in their relationship, and I generally recommend weekly sessions for the first 2-3 months. As progress is made, we can move to bi-weekly or as-needed appointments.
Please feel free to read more about the effectiveness of the Gottman Method here:
The Gottman Method is also highly effective for same-sex couples. If you're interested in learning more, check out this article:
