How Couples Therapy Near Me Works

One of the first steps in pursuing couples therapy is to shop around and find a counselor you and your partner feel comfortable with. When working with a counselor, it is important for both partners to feel safe, respected, and confident in the therapeutic process. If you have not yet identified such a counselor, you may benefit from looking over these Questions to Ask Before Starting Couples Counseling to help you in your journey. 

Once you have found a couples therapist in which both you and your partner feel comfortable with, the next step in helping the therapeutic process work is for you and your partner to have a basic understanding your counselor’s therapeutic approach. The therapeutic approach in couples work is important because it guides treatment, ensuring that your time and your counselor’s time are being put to good use. It answers the lingering question: “What can I expect from couples therapy?“

Couples Therapy Near Me

As a Licensed Associate Counselor in the state of Arkansas, I provide couples therapy to Arkansas residents. My services are virtual, meaning we use an encrypted video software within the client portal to meet from the comfort of your own home. 

In the following paragraphs I outline what you can expect from couples therapy when we work together. 

My Therapeutic Approach: The Gottman Method

In my work as a counselor, I have completed Level 1 and Level 2 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and actively use this approach when working with my couple clients. I find the Gottman Method is easy for couples to understand. What I like most about this approach is that many of the skills we learn in therapy can also be used in other interpersonal realtionships, not just romantic ones. 

To learn more about the specific skills learned in couples therapy, explore my Breakdown of The Gottman Method Relationship Model. 

The 5 Stages of The Gottman Method

The Gottman Method is broken down into five stages. 

1. Assessment

Assessment takes place over three separate 80 to 90 minute sessions.

Session 1

During the first session, your counselor will take the time to learn about the history of your relationship (how it all started). Your counselor will also spend 10 uninterrupted minutes observing you and your partner discuss a current conflict. 

After the first session, you will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires called the Gottman Relationship Check-Up Analysis. It is best for this check-up questionnaire to be completed before session two. The Gottman Institute (Dr. John and Julie Gottman’s school of Gottman) charges $39 per couple to access the questionnaires. To gain access, your counselor will send you an e-invite and you will be asked to pay the Gottman Institute directly. This is the only time there is an additional fee to the couples therapy process. 

Session 2

During the second session, your counselor will meet with you and your partner individually for two one-on-one 45-minute sessions (totaling 90 minutes). At this time, your counselor will have the opporutnity to learn more about your personal histories and backgrounds. 

Between sessions two and three your counselor will review a very thorough analysis of your relationship. Your counselor will use the information from this analysis and from the cojoint and individual sessions to create a comprehensive treatment plan. This plan will simultaneously combine your relationship goals and concerns with the goals associated with the Gottman Method. This process takes about 2 to 3 hours for your counselor to complete outside of session. 

Session 3

Finally, we will wrap up the assessment process during session three. Your counselor will summarize everything they have learned about your relationship and provide a breakdown of the Gottman Sound Relationship House model. You will have an opportunity to review your unique treatment plan and make any adjustments as you see fit. 

2. Treatment

After completing a thorough assessment, the treatment phase of couples therapy begins to address the goals and objectives that were laid out in session 3. 

The length of therapy is determined by your relationship’s specific needs. 

3. Phase Out

Ideally, there will come a point in time in which you and your partner have learned and practiced skills that lead to improved relationship satisfaction. At this time, we will meet less frequently so you and your partner can test your new relationship skills before preparing for termination.

4. Termination

Termination is an essential phase during the therapeutic process. Yes, it is true, you are allowed to terminate treatment whenever you’d like. However, it is often helpful to have at least one session in which you, your partner, and your counselor can summarize your progress, identify any work that remains, and say good-bye. 

5. Outcome Evaluation

This phase of treatment may or may not take place, depending on circumstances. That said, in his original research, Dr. John Gottman planned for 4 follow-up sessions with his couple clients every 6 months after termination (one after 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months). In the research, these follow-up sessions often resulted in reduced relapse. Partners who completed follow-up sessions were less likely to fall into previous, unhelpful behavior patterns. These sessions were used to fine-tune relationship skills and to evaluate the effectiveness of the couples therapy.

Finding Couples Therapy Near Me

If you would like to learn more about couples therapy with me or about the Gottman Method, including cost and scheduling availability, you may contact me in 1 of 3 ways. First, you may email me at Jocelyn@RetreatCW.com. Second, you may give the business a call at 501-510-3286. Finally, you may schedule a free 20-minute consultation using the client portal. I wish you luck in your counseling journey!