Gottman Method Couples Therapy in Roanoke, Virginia
Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Couples therapy is in many ways more complex than individual therapy, and this motivated me to pursue in-depth advanced training on how to best work with couples. I offer in person couples therapy sessions in Roanoke, Virginia, and online couples therapy sessions throughout Virginia. I have completed levels 1, 2, and 3 and am currently pursuing certification in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. As of January, 2026, I am the only couples therapist within 50 miles of Roanoke, Virginia, who has completed Gottman Level 3.
Gottman Method Couples Therapy was founded by Seattle-based husband and wife team Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Gottman. It is based on over 50 years of research. The model focuses on strengthening relationships with methods that fall into three different categories: how to remain close and intimate as lovers and friends, how to manage conflicts well, and how to create a life together that is meaningful and purposeful.
Video Recording
I strive to continually improve my skills and expertise in order to provide you with excellent couples therapy. As part of my ongoing educational process, I use video recordings of sessions to receive consultation from an independently practicing clinician who has received extensive training from The Gottman Institute. During this process, your last name will not be disclosed. In addition, all matters discussed in consultations will remain completely confidential within The Gottman Institute staff. I welcome any questions regarding sessions being video recorded.
Thorough Assessment – Identifying the Path Forward
The first four sessions make up an assessment phase. While this can feel time-consuming, the information gained through a thorough, in-depth assessment offers a clear path forward and allows for a more focused, targeted course of therapy.
Initial Couples Session – 75 minutes
The initial session is the intake session, during which we will talk about the history of your relationship and what you’d like to focus on achieving through couples therapy.
Gottman Relationship Checkup – Around one hour, to be completed at home
After the initial session, I will ask you to follow up at home by completing the online Gottman Relationship Checkup. This is a detailed in-depth written assessment in which you both answer a series of detailed questionnaires to provide information about your relationship. Your answers will not be shared with one another, but I will be able to see all of the information you have submitted. When we review this information together, I will not disclose details about what was shared, but we will review a report in which strengths of your relationship are highlighted, as well as areas in need of focus and attention.
Individual Sessions – 50 minutes
I will meet with each of you individually one time so I can learn more about your background and your unique perspective and concerns regarding your relationship. This helps me to understand how I can best support you through the process of couples therapy. If you share anything with me that you don’t want your partner to know, I will not disclose this information, but I will support and encourage you in being honest with your partner. I cannot keep secrets, because it will interfere with the future success of our couples therapy.
Feedback Session – 75 minutes
During our third session together, I will meet with you as a couple to share my initial observations and recommendations. We will review the results of the Gottman Relationship Checkup report in detail and I will ask for input from both of you. This will give us clear direction on how to proceed.
Ongoing Couples Therapy
After our assessment phase, we will use the science-based interventions that Gottman research provides in order to address your unique dynamics and patterns. Our work together will be a collaborative journey where we will unpack your concerns and help you both to learn new and healthy patterns of interaction.
Frequency
I most commonly meet with couples every other week, but will recommend weekly sessions for couples is in crisis or demonstrating a high level of need. I recommend tapering down to every three weeks or once a month when we are close to wrapping up our work together.
Things to Know about Gottman Model Couples Therapy
- During sessions, I will coach you on how to talk directly to each other instead of talking to me. This helps you to successfully build communication skills.
- I will offer education on communication styles that lead to negative outcomes and provide recommendations on strategies that have been shown to be more effective.
- I will ask you to monitor your heart rate during sessions with a pulse oximeter. If a conversation gets heated and your pulse rate increases, we will pause the discussion so all of us can engage in some calming and grounding techniques. This prevents escalation of conflict and allows you to connect with each other from a calmer place.
- We will use structured interventions that will sometimes involve following a script or a worksheet. This can feel forced or unnatural, but is a great way to give you a fresh way of interacting and interrupt communication patterns that have not been working.
- I will make recommendations for actions you can take to strengthen your relationship in between sessions. The ultimate goal is for you both to learn and use new skills so that you no longer need couples therapy.
- I will regularly check in to ask how you both feel about the progress you are making. I will openly give feedback and share my perspective.
Free Consultation
If you are interested in participating in couples therapy in person in Roanoke, Virginia, or online from anywhere in Virginia, please contact me to schedule a free consultation. I will ask you to share a little bit about what is motivating you to seek couples therapy, share some information about how I operate, and give you the opportunity to ask questions. From there, we can mutually decide whether to move forward with scheduling a first session.