Gottman Method Couples Therapy

I am constantly upgrading my skills and knowledge in the field of couples and marriage counselling. I recently received Level One training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. This is a theoretical approach which I had studied in my Masters in Clinical Psychology training and which I have always integrated into my work as a couples and marriage therapist. However, the opportunity to more deeply explore Gottman's systematic approach toward building on friendship and love has only further informed my committment to building on what IS working in the relationship as opposed to what WAS/IS NO LONGER/SHOULD BE working. Gottman's work is research-based, in that he and his colleagues studied actual couples as they interacted in a "marital laboratory". The participants' interactive behaviours, perceptions and physiologies were measured and assessed and effective interventions were designed to address the identified core issues affecting conflict. Gottman has named the four key elements of relationship conflict as "THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE":
1) conflict
2) defensiveness
3) contempt
4) stonewalling

I encourage the readers of this blog to further research Gottman's work at www.gottman.com. It is valuable reading and highly informs the principles of my theoretical approach.