Built on 50 years of research into what makes couples last
Gottman Method - Couples Therapy
Gottman Method Couples Therapy is the foundational clinical training in an evidence-based relationship framework developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, based on more than 40 years of longitudinal research studying thousands of couples.
A therapist trained in Level 1 uses these research-backed assessment protocols and interventions to identify relationship vulnerabilities, interrupt destructive patterns, and strengthen friendship and intimacy.
Couples I work with:
The same fight, again and again. You keep ending up in the same argument and want real tools to break the cycle.
Feeling distant. The closeness and affection have faded, and you want to find your way back to each other.
Strain from a big life change. A new baby, a career shift, a move, or just burnout is putting pressure on the two of you.
Rebuilding trust. Resentment, broken promises, or old hurts are getting in the way, and you want a clear path forward.
Starting strong. You’re preparing for marriage or a long-term commitment and want to learn how to handle conflict and get on the same page about what matters early on.
How I Use the Gottman Method
My couples work draws on the Gottman Method, a research-based approach that helps you break the patterns that keep you stuck and find your way back to each other.
Getting to know you both. We start with a joint session, a private session with each of you, and a few questionnaires. Together, they show what’s already working in your relationship and where you keep getting stuck.
Building a plan together. In a feedback session, I walk you through what I’ve learned. We set clear goals and map out a plan that fits your relationship.
Spotting the Four Horsemen. Criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. You’ll learn to catch them as they happen and replace each one with something that works better.
Calming down before you talk it through. You’ll learn to notice when you’re too flooded to really listen, take a break that actually helps, and come back to the differences every couple lives with, without it turning into the same fight.
Rebuilding friendship and shared meaning. Bringing back fondness, admiration, and closeness, and shaping your life together around the values, rituals, and goals you share.
FAQs
Gottman Method Therapy
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The Four Horsemen are four habits that slowly wear a relationship down: criticism (attacking who your partner is, not what they did), contempt (eye-rolling, sarcasm, or mockery), defensiveness (turning it back around or playing the victim), and stonewalling (going quiet or shutting down when things get heated). In therapy, you’ll learn simple, practical ways to catch these in the moment and respond differently, so a tense conversation can cool down instead of blowing up.
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Not every disagreement needs to be solved, and many can’t be. Gottman’s research found that about 69% of the conflicts couples have are ongoing ones, rooted in real differences in personality, values, or how you like to live. The goal isn’t to make those differences disappear. It’s to learn how to talk about them with humor and understanding, so you stop having the same fight over and over.
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We start by getting to know you, in four parts. First, we meet together so I can hear how you each see the relationship. Then I meet with each of you on your own, which gives you space to share things you might not say with your partner in the room. You’ll also fill out some questionnaires developed from Gottman’s research. Finally, we come back together for a feedback session, where I share what I’ve learned and we map out a plan for our work together.
Session Cost
Private Individual Therapy: $225/ 50-minute session
Couples Therapy: $250/ 50-minute session
In-person in Hermosa Beach or via telehealth anywhere in California.
EMDR
$275/ 50-minute session
In-person in Hermosa Beach or via telehealth anywhere in California.
Insurance: I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. I provide a monthly "superbill" that you can submit to your insurer for potential reimbursement. Check with your plan to verify your out-of-network mental health coverage.
Resources
What’s EMDR, and What Does It Feel Like?
October 6, 2026
EMDR for Performance Anxiety
October 8, 2026