Couples Counseling

I use Gottman Method Couples Therapy in my couples work. This is an evidence-based form of couples therapy that assists couples in achieving a better understanding, awareness, empathy, and connectedness within their relationships. By combining therapeutic interventions with experiential couples exercises, this type of therapy helps couples to develop the tools necessary to break down the natural defenses that hinder effective communication to lead to increased intimacy and interpersonal growth.

Before you begin treatment as a couple you will participate in an in-depth Relationship Checkup Assessment, as developed by the Gottman Institute, to identify the strong and weak points in your relationship. The assessment process includes four 60-minute sessions:

  • Session 1: We will meet for the first time and we'll discuss what you want to work on together as well as explore the trajectory of your relationship.

    — You’ll receive a Relationship Checkup Questionnaire to complete before our individual sessions —

  • Sessions 2 & 3: We’ll meet individually one-on-one to get a fuller picture of each of your perspectives and experiences in the relationship.

  • Session 4: You will receive detailed feedback on the strengths and challenges in your relationship along with a treatment plan and we can decide how to proceed.

Marathon Therapy

Marathon therapy, also known as intensive relationship counseling, offers a dynamic alternative to the traditional weekly session model, presenting a concentrated and focused approach to therapeutic intervention. Engaging in marathon therapy provides an opportunity for:

  • Focused Exploration: Marathon couples therapy allows for a concentrated examination of relationship issues, fostering in-depth insights and understanding.

  • Efficient Healing: The extended duration facilitates thorough processing of past injuries, promoting effective emotional healing within the relationship.

  • Accelerated Growth: Couples experience quicker progress and positive changes, swiftly getting their relationship back on a constructive path.

  • Enhanced Communication Skills: The intensive nature of the therapy enables active practice and development of improved communication skills for more effective interaction.

  • Flexibility for Busy Lives: Ideal for couples with hectic schedules, marathon therapy offers a time-efficient alternative to regular weekly sessions.

Increasingly popular and proven effective, marathon therapy serves as a successful method for distressed partners to stabilize their relationship. It allows them to embark on a journey of redesigning, re-imagining, and rebuilding a more satisfying partnership together. Couples who undergo this form of therapy often describe it as transformative and life-changing. Intensive therapy is particularly beneficial for partners who struggle with scheduling regular weekly sessions, live at a distance from their therapist, or need a swift resolution to distress in order to stabilize their relationship.

    • It’s a good fit for couples who want intensive therapy but don’t live in the vicinity of a Certified Gottman Therapist;

    • It’s also a good fit for couples whose schedules do not allow for them to go to weekly therapy sessions;

    • it’s a great fit for couples who need to get help immediately.

    • From either partner’s perspective, a partner is struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction;

    • There is violence in your relationship, threats that violence might occur, or fear of such violence;

    • Either partner currently has an untreated major mental illness (for example, schizophrenia, recurrent psychotic depression, or bipolar/manic-depressive illness);

    • Either partner is currently experiencing suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or has a history of serious harm inflicted on him/herself or another person;

    • If there is an undisclosed, ongoing extramarital affair that you are not willing to disclose. Keeping such secrets interferes with marital therapy.

    • Marathon Therapy is 3 day of therapy for 6 hours each

    • Costs include access and use of Gottman Connect assessment materials.

    • A deposit of 50% is required at the point of reservation and the remaining payment is due at the time of your appointment.

    • Cancellations can be made up to 30 days prior to your scheduled appointment with a 500 euro cancellation fee. Deposits are non-refundable within 30 days. Your session can be rescheduled one time.

  • Before you start the therapy, you will fill out an online questionnaire, and record and rate two video conversations of you as a couple. These questionnaires and video conversations are part of your relationship assessment. Detailed instructions will be provided upon registration.

    The first day of therapy will consist of the assessment interviews by your therapist. The goal is to get a deep understanding of the current state and history of your relationship and to clarify your goals for the therapy. The assessment is completed with a comprehensive feedback and treatment planning session.

    After the assessment on day one, you will start the therapy process which includes using Gottman Method’s effective communication tools and exercises that support couples to create mutual understanding and connection. After the first day, you will meet with your therapist for another two full days of therapy.

    Consecutive full days of therapy are 6 hours of therapy per day consisting of 2-3 hour sessions with breaks.

Please reach out for a free call to discuss if marathon therapy would be right for you and your partner.

“After many discovery calls with different therapists, counselors, and coaches, my partner and I found our match with Becky! From the very beginning her methodology with "the work starts now" was transformative.”

— Shea