At House of Hope we use a variety of approaches to enhance relationships and one of the modalities used is Gottman method of therapy (level 1, 2 trained)

What is Gottman method?

The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy that includes an assessment of the relationship and integrates research-based interventions based on the Sound Relationship House theory.

According to Gottman, these factors predictive of divorce include:
1. Criticism of the partner’s personality
2. Defensiveness
3. Stonewalling, or refusing to interact
4. Contempt

Couples who function effectively treat each other with consideration, and are supportive of each other.

Couples who enter into the Gottman Method Couples Therapy begin with an assessment process that then informs the therapeutic framework and intervention. An initial session might look like this:

• Assessment: A joint session is followed by individual interviews with each partner. Couples complete questionnaires and then receive feedback on their relationship.
• Therapeutic Framework: The couple and therapist decide on the frequency and duration of the sessions.
• Therapeutic Interventions: Interventions are designed to help couples strengthen their relationships in three primary areas: friendship, conflict management, and creation of shared meaning. Couples learn to replace negative conflict patterns with positive interactions and to repair past hurts. Interventions designed to increase closeness and intimacy are used to improve friendship, deepen emotional connection, and create changes which enhances the couples shared goals. Relapse prevention is also addressed.

The goals of the Gottman Method include increasing closeness and friendship behaviors, addressing conflict productively, and building a life of shared meaning together. The Gottman Method involves customizing principles from the research to each couple’s particular patterns and challenges.

The Seven Principles include the following concepts:

Build Love Maps: 

Express Fondness and Admiration:.

Turn Toward One Another: 

Accept Influence: 

Solve Problems That Are Solvable: 

Manage Conflict and Overcome Gridlock: 

Create Shared Meaning: 

Intensive therapy

We offer three and five days intensives therapy to help individuals and couples navigate through the challenging stages in their relationship.

If you are struggling with marital problems, infidelity, pornography /sex addiction, loss and grief, trauma or relational difficulties, House of Hope can help. 

Our marathon/intensive sessions can give you hope and structure to a clear recovery path. During the marathon therapy you will be given practical resources to use in order to heal and unstuck yourself.

House of Hope also runs small and confidential online and face to face group counselling and workshops for women’s group (partners of pornography/sex , love addicts and women who have experienced infidelity) and Men’s group (Pornography/sex and love addicts).

These courses are both practical and educational and provide understanding of:

• Biological and psychological causes of addiction
• Recognising and managing triggers
• Establishing relapse prevention strategies to secure and maintain recovery
• Developing long term strategies for re-establishing a positive sexual lifestyle
• Empowerment and transformational change
• Helping the individuals to get unstuck
• Emotional regulation More.

Women’s group and men’s group are separated and courses are consists of 8 x 1.5-hour sessions and includes practical work.  Attendance at each of the sessions is required and the course is strictly limited to 5-8 individuals.  All attendees are required to sign a confidentiality statement to ensure the group is a safe space for all.