Gottman Method of Couples Therapy in Newport Beach

The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy teaches couples proven skills to strengthen their relationships. The therapy process begins with a relationship assessment. This important first step looks at your relationship’s current status across several important domains that are linked to happiness and staying together. Your therapist will then tailor your therapy so that it targets the specific areas that have been identified as challenges. Therapy sessions will involve structured exercises that help you and your partner learn new skills and work through the issues as efficiently and effectively as possible.

the two parts of gottman therapy:

Part 1:  Relationship Assessment

The assessment phase involves four sessions:

Session 1: During the first session, the therapist will meet with the couple to gather a history of the relationship and provide a basic introduction to Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Both partners will also be asked to complete an online assessment that measures various aspects of relationship well-being after they leave. The assessment will be transmitted to the therapist when completed and she will score and analyze the results to integrate into the treatment plan.

Sessions 2 & 3: The therapist will meet with each partner individually to gather their personal histories and reports.

Session 4: The therapist and couple will reconvene to discuss the results of the assessment. During this meeting, the therapist will provide a recommended treatment plan. Skills training and an initial intervention exercise will also be introduced.

Part 2:  Couples Therapy

Once the assessment is complete, couples begin therapy. The frequency and duration of therapy sessions can be adjusted depending on the couple’s own goals and the areas identified for intervention.

Therapy sessions are structured, solution-focused, and skills-based. Couples are provided with handouts and guided through exercises designed to yield efficient results. Many couples feel significantly closer right away while also gaining practical skills they can maintain after therapy concludes.

Couples often find that the therapy experience is so positive for them that may come in for a “refresher” appointment at the six-month, 12-month, and 18-month mark after regular therapy ends.


accelerated options for couples therapy:

Our Gottman couples therapists also offer half-day, full-day, and two-day assessment, therapy, and pre-marital preparation packages for couples who want to move more quickly toward resolving specific issues, achieve significant results in a short amount of time, or whose schedules make it difficult to attend weekly therapy sessions. Browse our packages below, or visit our fees page for more detailed information on each option.

Half-Day Express Relationship Assessment

This assessment package is ideal for couples who want to quickly get through the interviews required for the assessment phase of Gottman Method Couples Therapy so that they can more quickly move on to feedback and therapy. The package includes a 90-minute couples history interview, two 60-minute individual interviews (one for each partner), and links to the online Gottman Relationship Checkup Questionnaires.

One-Day Complete Relationship Assessment

This assessment package is ideal for couples who want to complete the entire assessment phase of Gottman Method Couples Therapy, including receiving the results of their relationship analysis, all in one day. Completing this package enables a couple to immediately begin therapy. The package includes a 90-minute couples history interview, two 60-minute individual interviews (one for each partner), analysis of the couple’s Relationship Checkup Questionnaire results, feedback regarding the strengths and challenges of the relationship, and recommendations for therapy.

One-Day Relationship Renewal (Without Assessment)

This one-day session is intended for couples who have already completed the Gottman Method Couples Therapy assessment process and who would like to move quickly through specific issues in their relationship. This can also be a useful session for couples experiencing a crisis who need focused support to address the issue.

Two-Day Relationship Renewal (With Assessment)

Intended for couples who are new to the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy and who want quick results, this two-day package includes the entire assessment phase as well as a full-day of therapy and skill-building. On the first day, couples complete their assessment interviews and during the lunch break the provider conducts an analysis of the relationship based on the results of the couple’s Relationship Checkup Questionnaires and interview information. After lunch, the couple receives feedback on the strengths and challenges of the relationship, as well as recommendations for therapy. Positive interventions aimed at reconnection are provided before the day ends. On the second day, couples participate in skill-building and therapy exercises that are selected to help them make significant progress through their issues in a short amount of time.

One-Day Premarital Preparation

This one-day workshop is intended for engaged couples who want to strengthen their bond prior to marriage and learn the skills necessary to create lasting happiness, love, and union.

Our highly-trained Newport Beach Gottman couples therapy professionals are ready and able to help you through the process at every turn. To start your journey, contact one of our therapists in Newport Beach that specializes in Gottman couples therapy.

Curry Psychology Group offers Gottman couples therapy in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Santa Anna, Fountain Valley, Lake Forest, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, and all of Orange County. If you have any questions about [couples therapy] or are not sure about how to get started, contact us anytime!