Week 4   6456 Behavioral Approaches to Couples Counseling

Readings

• Gurman,   A. S., Lebow, J. L., Snyder, D. K. (2015). Clinical handbook of couple   therapy. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

o Chapter   2, “Cognitive Behavioral Couple Therapy” o Chapter 3, “Integrative Behavioral   Couple Therapy” o Chapter 5, “Gottman Couple Therapy”

•   Gottman, J. (2017). Couples. Psychotherapy Networker Magazine, 41(1), 35-37.

• Platt,   L. F., & Scheitle, C. P. (2017). Is marriage counseling perceived as   scientific? Examining the views of US adults. The Family Journal, 25(3),   239-246.

Media

Gottman:

•   Gottman, J. M., & Gottman, J. S. (Producers). (2009a). Gottman couples   therapy: A new research-based approach: Our research methods [Video file].

Retrieved   from https://class.waldenu.edu

Note: The   approximate length of this media piece is 10 minutes.

•   Gottman, J. M., & Gottman, J. S. (Producers). (2009a). Gottman couples   therapy: A new research-based approach: The sound relationship house [Video   file].

Retrieved   from https://class.waldenu.edu

Note: The   approximate length of this media piece is 30 minutes.

CBT:

• Psychotherapy.net.   (Publisher). (2002a). Cognitive-behavioral child therapy [Video file]. United   States: Author

Retrieved   from the Walden Library databases.

Note: The   approximate length of this media piece is 2 hours.

•   Psychotherapy.net. (Publisher). (2000). Couples therapy for addictions: A   cognitive-behavioral approach [Video file]. Retrieved from the Walden Library   databases.

Note: The   approximate length of this media piece is 2 hours.

Discussion: 

The   Gottman Method of couple therapy is firmly grounded in research on couple   relationships. It is an integrative approach that incorporates elements of   many different theories and therapy types (Gottman & Gottman, 2009).   Underlying this therapy, and supported by decades of research, is the Sound   Relationship House Theory. This theory outlines the seven building blocks   that Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman believe are the   essential components of a sound relationship. Out of this theory, the   Gottmans have developed assessments and interventions that helping   professionals can use with couples to guide them toward better friendship,   intimacy, positive affect, constructive ways of dealing with conflict, and   the creation of shared meaning, which are all parts of the Sound Relationship   House Theory.

For this   Discussion, you concentrate not on treatment planning and specific   interventions from the Gottman Method, but how it is different, as a whole,   from the therapies and theories you have explored in this course. You also   examine the unique opportunities that this method presents for integration.

Gottman Method of Couple Therapy

Post  an explanation of how the Gottman Method of couple therapy and its underlying Sound Relationship House Theory differs from the therapies and theories you have studied thus far. Then, describe one quality or principle of the Gottman Method that presents opportunities for integration into your main theoretical orientation in your future practice. Be specific and explain.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources.