"Kerry Lusignan is a real person whose counseling is grounded with real life experiences and common sense. Her approach has been easy to apply in our communications with one another and our life together. It has not been an academic exercise that is so far removed from real life issues that while interesting, has no practical application. Kerry and her practice are both 100% genuine and therefore of extreme value."

-D/Husband

Why the Gottman Method?

  1. Science-Based:

    Gottman Method Couples Therapy combines the knowledge and wisdom of over 35 years of research and clinical practice with more than 3,000 couples. This research shows us what actually works to help couples achieve a long-term healthy relationship.


  2. Proven in Practice:

    The Gottman Method is structured and goal-oriented. Gottman interventions and exercises help couples break through barriers to achieve greater understanding, connection and intimacy in their relationships. Gottman helps couples:

    • Increase respect, affection, and closeness
    • Break through and resolve conflict when they feel stuck
    • Generate greater understanding between partners
    • Keep conflict discussions calm

  3. Achievable Outcomes:

    Research shows that to make a relationship last, couples must become better friends, learn to manage conflict, and create ways to support each other's dreams. Drs. John and Julie Gottman have shown how couples can accomplish this by paying attention to what they call the Sound Relationship House, or the seven components of healthy coupleships.

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The Sound Relationship House

  • Build Love Maps: How well do you know your partner's inner psychological world, his or her worries, stresses, joys, and dreams?
  • Share Fondness and Admiration: The antidote for contempt, this level focuses on the amount of affection and respect within a relationship. (To strengthen fondness and admiration, express appreciation and respect.)
  • Turn Towards: State your needs, be aware of bids and turn towards them. The small moments of everyday life are actually the building blocks of relationship.
  • The Positive Perspective: The presence of positive affect in problem-solving discussions and the success of repair attempts.
  • Manage Conflict: We use the term "manage" conflict rather than "resolve" conflict because relationship conflict is natural and it has functional, positive aspects. Understand the critical difference in handling perpetual problems and solvable problems.
  • Make Life Dreams Come True: Create an atmosphere that encourages each person to talk honestly about his or her dreams, values, convictions and aspirations.
  • Create Shared Meaning: Understand important dreams, narratives, myths, and metaphors about your relationship.
Portions of this document have been reproduced with written permission from The Gottman Institute. For more information please visit http://www.gottman.com/54756/About-Gottman-Method-Couples-Therapy.html