I’m recently back from a Gottman Retreat in Seattle. It was a phenomenal two days of great training and connection with other Gottman trained therapists. I attended workshops on:

Neurodiverse Couples, Queer Couples, Devitalized Couples, Cultural Attunement, PTSD and Couples Therapy, Sex Therapy, and Relapse Prevention.

All the presentations were top notch and high level. I learned so much and want to share a few highlights with you. Take a Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work workshop, or an Art and Science of Love workshop, or the Bringing Baby Home workshop. It was clear that taking one of these workshops IN ADDITION to couples therapy is extremely helpful to many couples. Check out the Events page on the Gottman website

Repair is crucial. You will have conflict as a couple. Thus, knowing how to repair and in what way works for your relationship is key. Check-out the Gottman Repair Checklist.

Your friendship is foundational. Work to know your partner. Work to cherish and celebrate your partner. Have your partner’s back. Avoid those Four Horsemen (Criticism, Defensiveness, Contempt, and Stonewalling). Use a Soft-start up instead. Cue those Gottman Card Decks and the FREE App!

There is hope! Do the things that successful couples do. As Dr. John Gottman says “Small things often” are key.

Best wishes for Happy Holidays and a Great New Year!

P.s.

The Gottmans have filmed a documentary! It is supposed to be released on a streaming service in mid-2026. Watch for it and watch it!