The assessment phase serves several beneficial purposes. You and your partner will get a sense of my style as a therapist and will be able to determine if you would like to continue working with me.

This phase also allows me to get a better understanding of your relationship so that I can determine if I will be the best therapist to meet your needs as a couple. More than anything I want you to get exactly what you need, whether I’m the therapist that can provide that for you or not.

Read more about the first session on the next slide…

Session One will consist of a warm welcome and a review of my office policies and informed consent. I will then invite you two to share the story of your relationship, the history of your relationship, and your relationship philosophy in order to gain a greater understanding of your unique experience as a couple.

At the end of the session I will give you instructions to complete the Gottman Relationship Checkup, an integral part to enriching your relationship.

Read more about the Gottman Relationship Check up on the next slide…

The Gottman Relationship Checkup is an online assessment that thoroughly assesses a couple’s strengths and challenges. The checkup consists of 480 questions about friendship, intimacy, how well you know your partner, how you manage emotions and conflict, how you share your values and goals, and what gives meaning to your lives.

Set aside 1-2 hours to complete this assessment. I know, 2 hours can be a long time. But it would take many sessions and hundreds of dollars for me to gather the information contained in this online assessment. So, by taking the assessment you are saving both time and money.

Read more about Session Two on the next slide…

Session Two will be shared between you and your partner. I will meet with each of you individually for 30 minutes. During this time you will be able to share your own story of what brings you to therapy. We will also explore any family history that you believe will be relevant to the process. Topics will include your commitment to the relationship, your hopes and expectations, and your personal goals.

It’s important to note that I have a No Secrets Policy. This means that I will not keep information said in this session confidential from your partner. Secrets can create an alliance between the therapist and one partner, which can be damaging to the therapeutic relationship.

Read more about Session Three on the next slide…

We all return together for Session Three, the final phase of the assessment. By this time I will have received your completed online assessment (Gottman Relationship Checkup). I will summarize the results of your assessment using the Sound Relationship House, and discuss goals for treatment.

At this point in time, the assessment phase is winding down and it will be time for you and your partner to decide if you would like to continue working with me. If you decide to proceed, we will collaboratively develop goals for treatment.

Read more about Sessions 4+ on the next slide…

Session 4, and subsequent sessions, will consist of research-based treatment and interventions specific to your relationship. There are three main domains for therapeutic goals. They focus on managing conflict constructively, enhancing friendship and intimacy, and creating shared meaning.

So, to summarize, I practice from the Gottman Method Couples Therapy model, a research-based, structured, and goal-oriented approach. The first three sessions are assessment only. We begin treatment and interventions in Session 4.

If you would like to enrich your relationship and this is an approach you can get behind, please schedule a free phone consultation to see if we are a good fit.