Gottman Method
The Gottman Institute is a world-renowned relationship therapy training and education center. Dr. John Gottman has been studying relationships and marriage stability for over 40 years and has come up with proven, science-backed methods of saving troubled relationships and strengthening those that have a solid base. Gottman method therapy teaches us how to build effective communication skills, renew our friendship, repair from conflict and heal from betrayal.
You can read more about the Gottman method here https://www.gottman.com/about/research/
All of our couples therapists are trained in the Gottman method, and receive regular consultation from a certified Gottman therapist as a part of their work if they are not already certified. Each clinician has their own unique style and additional modalities of which inform their work. Our clinicians are committed to providing an inclusive space for couples of all kinds to explore their relationship dynamics, communication, conflict management and connection. We strive to honor you where you are on your journey, whether married, dating, or engaged. Monogamous and ethically non-monogamous are welcome to come here and explore the nature of their unique relationship agreement.
Therapy for the many stages of relationships
Relationship improvement- Sometimes couples come to counseling not in the midst of a crisis, but with a genuine desire to grow closer, communicate better, and invest in the health of their relationship. Our general couples counseling services offer a holistic, Gottman Method-based approach to relationship care — addressing the full picture of your partnership, from how you navigate conflict and repair after difficult moments, to how well you know each other's inner world and support each other's dreams. Whatever brings you through the door, we're here to help you build a relationship that is not just functional, but deeply fulfilling.
Pre-Marital Counseling- Our premarital counseling service is designed to meet couples wherever they are in their journey toward marriage. For those seeking a deeper investment in their relationship, we offer our full Gottman-based intake process — an extensive exploration of each partner's history, values, and long-term goals, culminating in the tools to build a Sound Relationship House together. For couples looking for a more focused starting point, we also offer a streamlined à la carte option: four intake and feedback sessions followed by one to two sessions of personalized recommendations and resources. Whichever path you choose, the goal is the same — to begin your marriage with a strong foundation, a shared vision, and concrete tools to grow together. Many of our premarital couples find so much value in the process that they choose to continue their therapy journey with us long after the wedding day.
Transition to Parenthood Counseling is provided, utilizing the same Gottman framework, to support couples as they navigate the joys and challenges of welcoming a child into their relationship dynamic. The transition to parenthood is one of the most transformative — and demanding — seasons a couple will face. Our counseling service is designed to support expectant and new parents using the research-based principles of the Gottman Method, helping couples strengthen communication, manage conflict, and maintain connection as their family grows. Whether you're preparing for baby's arrival or adjusting to life with a newborn, or adding a second child we're here to help you navigate this season collaboratively.
Transition to empty nest and retirement- The transition to an empty nest or retirement marks a profound shift in a couple's daily life — one that can bring both renewed closeness and unexpected challenges. When children leave home or careers come to a close, couples are often left to rediscover who they are to one another outside of the roles that have defined them for decades. Our counseling service is designed to support couples navigating this season of change, using the research-based principles of the Gottman Method to help partners deepen their friendship, renegotiate roles and routines, and build a shared vision for this next chapter of life. Whether you're finding new rhythms together or working through tension that has surfaced with the change, we're here to help you not just adjust — but truly thrive in this new season, together.
Betrayal, Breach of Trust or Infidelity- Few relationship wounds run as deep as a breach of trust — whether through infidelity, deception, or betrayal of another kind. The pain, confusion, and grief that follow can feel overwhelming, and the path forward is rarely straightforward. Our counseling service offers a structured, compassionate space for couples choosing to face this pain together, using the Gottman Method's research-based approach to affair recovery. Central to this work is the Gottman Trust Revival Method — a three-phase process of atonement, attunement, and attachment that provides a clear, evidence-based framework for moving through betrayal with intention and care. This process is not about quickly moving on — it's about helping both partners fully process what happened, rebuild honest communication, and make a clear-eyed decision about the future of the relationship. Whether your goal is reconciliation and a renewed commitment, or simply finding a way to move forward with clarity and closure, we're here to support you through one of the most difficult seasons a relationship can face.
Gottman Method Intake Steps
Step 1 — Online Relationship Assessment via Gottman Connect Before your first session, both partners individually complete a comprehensive online assessment through the Gottman Connect Portal. This research-based questionnaire evaluates key areas of your relationship — including friendship, conflict patterns, shared meaning, and trust — and generates a detailed profile that guides the entire treatment process. Your responses are confidential, and the results give your therapist a rich, evidence-based picture of your relationship before you ever set foot in the office.
Step 2 — Couples Intake Interview (80–90 min) This first joint session is an opportunity for both partners to share your story together — how you met, what drew you to each other, and what has brought you to counseling now. Your therapist will explore the strengths you've built as a couple alongside the challenges you're navigating, with particular attention to patterns that may have emerged during the transition to parenthood. The session also draws on your Gottman Connect results to begin identifying key areas of focus.
Step 3 — Individual Intake Sessions (60 min each) Each partner meets privately with the therapist for a one-on-one session. This is a space to share your personal history, individual perspective on the relationship, and any concerns you may not feel comfortable raising together. These sessions give your therapist a fuller, more nuanced understanding of each person's experience — and ensure that both voices are heard and valued from the start.
Step 4 — Summary & Treatment Planning Session (80–90 min) In this final intake session, your therapist brings everything together. You'll receive a personalized summary of your assessment findings — highlighting both your relationship's strengths and the areas that need care — along with a collaborative treatment plan tailored to your goals as a couple. This session sets the foundation for the work ahead and gives you a clear roadmap for the counseling process.
Therapy offered in multiple formats
Traditional couples sessions are 90min in length and range from $220 and $300 per session, based on clinician experience. With this format, we suggest that our couples consider a minimum of 12 sessions as an initial start to therapy on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. It is imperative that a couple be ready to make the commitment to do the work in order to create the changes you desire for your relationship. Your therapist will consider unique treatment goals and discuss length of time working together once the intake process is complete.
Many couples engage in a minimum of 6 months of couples therapy. Affair and betrayal work is longer and more intensive and typically requires a minimum of a year of work together in order to repair and to rebuild your relationship. Offered by Sky, Alli, Natalie, Jeanne, Amber
Intensive Counseling and Marathon sessions are also offered by Chelsea, for couples who are looking to deepen their understanding of one another and gain valuable insights right away. This format offers the couple an immersive experience, with less distraction of external stressors and time constraints of traditional format. Couples can expect to explore deepening their emotional intimacy, expedited support on critical needs and quicker access to necessary tools to improve their relationship right away.
For couples who are in acute need regarding recent findings of breach of trust or experienced betrayal this format provides more time to address chronic concerns around deep hurts that are impacting the connection between partners. Intensive counseling sessions are also valuable for those couples seeking to expedite the intake steps into one intensive day, and therefore be able to start the work of therapy sooner. Some couples choose to engage in marathon sessions at the beginning of their relationship to help establish a solid foundation for their life together. Many couples describe this kind of intensive work as powerful and life altering, having spent the quality time together focusing solely on the relationship, without outside distractions and the limitations of shorter session time blocks.
This is a unique offer differing from traditional format couples counseling services. Sessions are longer in session length, ranging from 2-6 hours, and happen with less frequency. When you ask for this type of counseling, we are still asking you to put in the effort over a long period of time and to not expect immediate results. Change takes time, but is possible, when you put in the effort to practice the skills you learn during our work together.
Many couples begin with a one day intensive of 6hrs, to compete the intake and assessment process, followed by the option for a second full day or half day to launch into their therapy journey once they have completed the assessment day. Clinicians will make recommendations for treatment based directly off of the intake/assessment process, uniquely tailored to each couple. Ongoing monthly support is offered in this same format.
Minimum session length is 2 hours / Average session length is 3-6 hours.
The cost for intensive sessions with Chelsea, are $250 per hour. *A 3% credit card fee will be applied to all payments for services.