Gottman Method

The goals of the Gottman Method are primarily applied in couples therapy. Research-based interventions are used to reduce conflict and increase intimacy, improve friendship and respect, deepen connection and affection, and create changes that enhance a couples’ shared goals.

Three main areas of a relationship are targeted in Gottman sessions. These are friendship, conflict management, and creation of shared meaning. The therapist’s goal is to help their clients build stronger relationships overall and to set them up with effective ways to cope in the future when issues arise. 

Common issues addressed with the Gottman Method:

  • Frequent conflict and arguments

  • Poor communication

  • Emotionally distanced couples on the verge of separation

  • Specific problems such as sexual difficulties, infidelity, money, and parenting

The Gottman Method focuses on nine components of healthy relationships known as “The Sound Relationship House Theory.” 

  1. Build Love Maps 

  2. Share Fondness and Admiration

  3. Turn Towards Instead of Away

  4. The Positive Perspective

  5. Manage Conflict

  6. Make Life Dreams Come True

  7. Create Shared Meaning

  8. Trust

  9. Commitment

To learn more about these components and the Gottman Method, see this site.

Maria Spada Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Open-Minded, Warm, and Supportive

Couples—Relationship and Connection Issues

Healing Past Wounds and Personal Growth

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Vanessa Gill Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Shame, Anxiety, and Loss

Interpersonal and Relationship Issues

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Skills

Alexandra Hale Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor

Person-Centered, Open-Minded, Integrative

Life Transitions, Personal Growth, Relationship Issues, Depression and Anxiety

Mind-Body, Trauma-Informed, Somatic Psychology

Vanessa Dunham Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed
Specialized in chronic illness, cancer, and chronic pain counseling 
Compassionate, non-judgmental, and collaborative 
Anxiety, depression, stress, grief and loss counseling
Heather  Thiel Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Nonjudgmental, Caring

Anxiety/Depression Coping

CBT and Mindfulness

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Miranda Dooley Therapy Austin

Silence Inner Critic

Anxiety and Depression

Life Purpose and Direction

Tessa Lucia Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor

Trauma-informed, CBT, Attachment & Trust 


Life Transitions, Personal Growth, Stress Management, Family & Relationship Issues 


Collaborative, Modern, Warm, & Authentic

Jana McCook Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Personal Growth and Life Transitions

Self-Compassion and Mindfulness

Substance use and Relapse Prevention

Jordan  Weinert Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor

Trauma, Attachment Styles, and Life Transitions

Meaning, Spirituality, Anxiety

Holistic, Warm, and Collaborative

Kara Allen Therapy Austin

Warm and accepting 

Curious and compassionate 

Anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and LGBTQIA+ affirming 

Olivia Tomlin Therapy Austin

Genuine, sense of humor, compassionate 

Trauma-informed, addiction recovery, athletic success 

Life transitions, anxiety, depression, grief and loss


Alex Barshop Therapy Austin

Empathic, Warm, Neurodiversity Affirming, LGBTQIA+ Ally 

Holistic, Strengths-Based, Person-Centered

Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, ADHD


Anne Johnson Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Autism, Spectrum Disorders, and Learning Disabilities

Trauma and Crisis (EMDR Trained)

Relationship Issues

Victoria Elizarde Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Anxiety, Stress, Low Mood, and Depression

Self-Compassion, Resiliency, and Personal Growth

Authentic, Relational, and Accepting

Elene Drakonakis Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Personal Growth and Life Transitions

Grief and Loss

CBT, Strengths-Based, Narrative Approach

Samantha Simms Therapy Austin

Warm, Curious, Compassionate

Strengths-based, Trauma-Informed Care

LGBTQIA+ and Neurodiversity Affirming

Alice Kelly Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed
Trauma-Informed, EMDR Trained
Familial and Relational Issues, Communication Issues, Trauma
Client-centered, Collaborative, Empathetic, Non-Judgmental
Marcos Salinas Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Relationship issues.

Holistic, Strength Based, and Mindfulness

Accepting, Empathic, Relational

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Keeley Arnecke Therapy Austin

Relationship/Communication Issues and Conflict Management 

Exploring Sex, Sexuality and Ethical Non-Monogamy 

Strengths-Based and Mindfulness Techniques


Mona  Amin Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor

Couples Issues Surrounding Family Life Cycle

Relationship With Self

Attachment, Safety, and Trust

Adam Jimenez Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Domestic Violence Prevention, EMDR Trained and Trauma-Inform

Self-Compassion, Mindfulness, Stress Management, and Anxiety

Shame, Loss, and Taming the Inner Critic

Noor Zibdeh Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Life Transitions and Personal Growth

Depression, Anxiety, and Substance Use

Couple and Relationship Issues

Maria  Cordero Robinson Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Anxiety and Depression

Trauma-Informed, Culturally Sensitive

Mindfulness and Person-Centered

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Gina Rodriguez Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Generalized and Social Anxiety, Perfectionism, Overcoming Self-Doubt 

Healing Relational and Attachment Wounds 

Combines Practical Tools With Insight-Building Strategies


Sorry! Gina is not accepting new clients at this time.
Natasha Horner Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor

Couples and Relationship Issues

Pregnancy & Postpartum Concern
Trauma & Attachment
Gurjit Kaur Therapy Austin

Couples - Communication, Affair Recovery, Deeper Relationship 

Anxiety, Personal Growth, Life Transition 

Family of Origin issues, Culturally Informed Counseling



Allison Turner Therapy Austin

Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Loss 

Couples and Individuals, Self-Esteem, Personal Growth, and Body Positivity 

Safe environment for all body types, cultural and religious beliefs, relationship types, and sexualities (LGBTQIA+ Affirming)


Georges Jiho Kim Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

EMDR, Specialized in Couples 

Decades of Life experiences 

Warm and Supportive 

Relationship and Communication Challenges 

Life Transitions & Career Exploration


Roxanne Watson Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Anxiety and Stress

Depression and Low Mood

Relationship Issues

Sorry! Roxy is not accepting new clients at this time.
Kelly Pajares Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Grief and Loss

EMDR

Communication Issues

Melanie Dyer Therapy Austin
Senior Counselor
Fully Licensed

Feminist, Social Justice-Oriented

LGBTQIA+ Affirming

Authentic, Person-Centered, and Strengths-Based Relational Counseling

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