Common Concerns Addressed in Gottman Method Couples Therapy

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Most couples go through periods of stress or disconnection, and this is a normal part of long-term relationships.

 

When these challenges continue over time or begin to affect your day-to-day wellbeing, many couples choose to seek guidance from a therapist trained in the Gottman Method.

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The kinds of issues often explored in therapy include:

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• Difficulties communicating – feeling unheard, misunderstood, or avoiding certain topics.

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• Changes in sexual intimacy – loss of closeness, passion, or romance.

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• Ongoing disagreements – challenges with decision-making or difficulty compromising.

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• Emotional distance – feeling disconnected or withdrawn from one another.

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• Trust issues – including affairs, secrecy, or problematic behaviours (e.g., pornography, gambling).

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• Parenting and co-parenting challenges – navigating differences in parenting styles, discipline, or family routines.

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• Repeating arguments – conflicts that keep resurfacing without resolution or repair.

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• Long-standing conflict patterns – recurring issues that are difficult to break.

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• External stressors – work pressures, family, or in-law conflicts.

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• Grief or significant life changes – adjusting to loss or major transitions.

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• Feeling unsupported or unsafe – lacking emotional safety in the relationship.

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What You Can Expect in Gottman Method Couples Therapy

 

Safe & Comfortable Environment

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You can share your relationship difficulties in a respectful, caring, and non-judgemental environment. It’s normal to feel nervous before your first session, but most people report feeling more relaxed and comfortable in the sessions that follow.

 

Insight, Understanding & Communication

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You and your partner will have the opportunity to discuss your issues in a safe setting, gain deeper insight into patterns in your relationship, and build mutual understanding. I provide a safe space to learn and improve communication, with support and coaching in conflict management, emotional connection, and relationship repair skills.

 

Timing & Length of Therapy

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Some positive changes are often noticed after about 4–6 sessions, though this can vary depending on your relationship’s complexity. The overall length of therapy depends on your progress and current challenges, usually ranging from 8 to 20 sessions.

 

Evidence-Based Approach

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My approach is based on the work of Drs. John and Julie Gottman, supported by over 45 years of research on what makes relationships work. I am a Certified Gottman Therapist.

 

More Information

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For more information, you can follow this link: The Gottman Method

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The Gottman Method Couples Therapy involves a detailed assessment and goal setting  in preparation for the therapy  session. 

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I deliver Gottman Couples Therapy in 3 ways - the 2-day Marathon, Mini Marathon (4hours) or 2 hours weekly session which I will explain below: 

1.  Marathon Therapy: 4 hours assessment & 2 days 8.30am – 4.30pm therapy 

 

Marathon Therapy is a dynamic alternative to weekly sessions as it is a condensed and focused approach to relationship counselling that will provide you with the time you need to address specific issues and get your relationship back on track QUICKLY.

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2.  Mini Marathon Therapy: 4 hours assessment + 4 hours x 4 therapy.  The 4 hours therapy can be weekly or twince weekly.

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3. Weekly : 4 hours assessment + 2 hours x 6 therapy.  The 2 hours therapy can be weekly.  

 

 

More sessions will be added once therapy has started as necessary and depending on your situation and current challenges.

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Once therapy goals have been achieved then the maintenance sessions are then scheduled at regular intervals to ensure that you are staying on track with the changes that you have developed during the therapy stage. Initially it is monthly then it is extended out to every 6 months until the 2-year mark is reached.    

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The Assessment Sessions

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• Before your initial session, each of you separately fill in a the Gottman Relationship Checkup questionnaire online which gives me a lot of information that I can’t easily gather otherwise and the results are forwarded to me.  

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• In the first session we are going to discuss the current issues and the your history of your relationship. ​​​​

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• ​And then I will see both of you for one session individually: which helps me to get to know you and understand how you see the world because that’s going to be important for me.

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• The next session, I want to help you understand what makes a great relationship.  We are going to look at how your relationship is functioning at the moment in comparison to a road map we have from research about what it takes to have a great relationship.  After we do that we are going to set your goals and  how we are going to approach therapy. 

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• It's best to complete the assessment as fast as possible so that we can commence the Therapy.  Preferably within a week not longer than 2 weeks.  

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The Therapy Sessions​

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• The therapy starts after the assessment sessions.

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• Therapy is about you both learning a new way of conflict management and communicating in ways that build frinedship, closeness, greater understanding, deeper connection, intimacy and greater shared meaning.  I will regularly check with your goals and ensure that we are making the progress that you need. 

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• Research shows that frequency and intensity in treatment generally results in real change and faster change. 

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• When you make an appointment we will book a series of sessions for the entire couples therapy.  In addition to the four assessment sessions, bookings will be made for several therapy sessions. 

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• Deciding between the marathon, mini marathon or 2 hours per week for the therapy depends upon the intensity that is required and the complexity of the challenges that we are addressing as well as your availability and budget.  The treatment/therapy sessions are weekly or twice weekly.  As progress is made then they are spaced out to fortnightly or longer.   I am available for full day or half day treatment sessions for couples that want to make fast progress or are coming from out of town.  

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Summary

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Marathon/Mini Marathon :

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• 4 hours assessment followed by 2 days therapy / 4 hours x 4 therapy, followed by 2 hour therapy sessions as needed

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Weekly : 

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• 4 hours assessment followed by​ 2 hour therapy sessions for 6 weeks or more, followed by 2 hour therapy sessions scheduled as needed. 

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My fee is $220 per hour. 

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Couples Therapy is not eligible to receive any Medicare Rebates.  If you have Private Health Insurance,  please check with your insurer regarding rebates.  The item number for couples therapy is 300.  

 

You can check my appointment availability Click Here.

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For new clients, please contact me on 0419 738 231 for organizing 15 minutes free consultaion.

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**This process isn’t for everyone. I only work with couples who are ready to fully commit, both financially and time-wise. If that’s not possible right now, I encourage you to wait until the timing is right.

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**We are not accepting new couple therapy bookings at the moment due to limited availability.

• Waiting list is available – please contact us if you’d like to be added.

• We expect to start taking new couples later this year.

• We will update this website as soon as we are able to take on new couples.

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