Early in the assessment phase, you will be given some written materials to complete that will help us better understand your relationship.
In the first session, we will talk about the history of your relationship, areas of concern, and goals for treatment. Following the first session, you will receive access to the Gottman Connect platform, where you will complete an in-depth assessment of your relationship utilizing the new Love Lab technology in the comfort of your own home. This assessment consists of the Love Lab Relationship Questionnaire and the Love Lab Video Evaluation.
In the next session, I will meet with you individually to learn each of your personal histories and to give each of you an opportunity to share thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. In the final session of the assessment, I will share with you your extensive Relationship Report from the Love Lab findings and my evaluation. We will discuss my recommendations for treatment and work to define mutually agreed upon goals for your therapy.
Most of the work will involve sessions where you will be seen together as a couple. However, there may be times when individual sessions are recommended. I may also give you exercises to practice between sessions.
The length of therapy will be determined by your specific needs and goals. In the course of therapy, we will establish points at which to evaluate your satisfaction and progress. Also, I will encourage you to raise any questions or concerns that you have about therapy at any time.
In the later stage of therapy, we will “phase out” or meet less frequently in order for you to test out new relationship skills and to prepare for termination of the therapy. Although you may terminate therapy whenever you wish, it is most helpful to have at least one session together to summarize progress, define the work that remains, and say goodbye.
In the outcome-evaluation phase, as per the Gottman Method, four follow-up sessions are planned: one after six months, one after twelve months, one after eighteen months, and one after two years. These sessions have been shown through research to significantly decrease the chances of relapse into previous, unhelpful patterns. In addition, commitment to providing the best therapy possible requires ongoing evaluation of methods used and client progress. The purpose of these follow-up sessions then will be to fine-tune any of your relationship skills if needed and to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy received.
