Couples Therapy: Gottman Repair

In-person | Video | Phone

Is your partnership strained by gridlock issues, emotional escalation, in-law conflict, or post-affair distrust? My couples work restores connection, trust and respect, whether the wounds began in a dysfunctional family of origin or surfaced inside the relationship itself.

Often relationships begin with attraction, passion, desire, lust, creating an initial bond of excitement and intimacy. As couples progress through various stages, differences in opinions, evolving responsibilities, and external pressures can introduce tensions that erode this foundation. Recognizing these shifts early is crucial, as unaddressed issues may signal deeper distress and hinder mutual growth.

The following are signs that your relationship may be in trouble: not being informed about your partner's week, job stressors, or daily events; lacking warmth or admiration toward your partner; retreating into your own world and limiting communication; struggling to resolve conflicts or avoiding disagreements altogether; and failing to align on future life goals, aspirations, or dreams. These indicators, identified by experts at the Gottman Institute, often stem from fundamental marital distress and can be addressed through structured approaches like the "Sound Relationship House" model, which rebuilds friendship, conflict resolution skills, and shared meaning.

Evidence-Based Modalities for Two

• Gottman Method (core framework) — love-map assessment, bids, conflict regulation

• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) — turning criticism into secure attachment

• Bowen Family Systems & IFS — spot inherited patterns, heal protective "parts"

• Attachment-informed CBT & Solution-Focused tools — fast skills for everyday harmony

What Sessions Look Like

1. 90-minute intake with the Gottman Relationship Checkup.

2. Weekly 50-minute sessions (in-person Toronto or secure Zoom across Ontario).

3. Practical homework: soft start-ups, boundaries with high-conflict relatives, intimacy rituals.

4. Ongoing progress reviews to keep therapy goal-driven and transparent.

Common Issues We Tackle

• Communication gridlock & stonewalling

• Post-affair repair and rebuilding trust

• Parenting stress, blended families, aging-parent pressure

• Financial clashes & life-stage transitions

• Deciding to stay, consciously separate, or co-parent respectfully