Research-based couples therapy
Gottman Method couples therapy — 40 years of research, one room.
The Gottman Method is an evidence-based couples therapy approach developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman over four decades of studying what actually predicts relationship outcomes. Christina Mathieson is trained at Level 2. Online across California.
Good fit if
- You and your partner keep having the same fight and want it to stop
- Trust is shaken — affair, big lie, long avoidance — and you want a structured path back
- Conflict has become corrosive and you need tools that actually work
- You're early in the relationship (premarital, newly committed) and want to build it on a strong foundation
- You want research-backed methods, not your therapist's personal opinions
Not a fit if
- Either partner is in active untreated addiction or ongoing affairs
- Ongoing domestic violence (we refer to DV-specialized care)
- One partner is categorically unwilling to engage in the process
Not sure which column you're in? Book a free consult. If we're not the right fit, we'll help you find someone who is.
What the work looks like
How we actually work together.
The Gottman Method is structured. We start with the Gottman Relationship Checkup — a comprehensive online assessment both partners complete — plus a full intake and individual sessions with each partner. The assessment gives us data: what's working, where the specific breakdowns are, what's at risk.
From there, we use the Sound Relationship House framework to build or rebuild the relationship systematically. The house has levels — building love maps, sharing fondness and admiration, turning toward bids, managing conflict, creating shared meaning. We work the levels that need work, not the ones that don't.
Christina is trained at Level 2 by the Gottman Institute, which means the application is faithful to the method — not 'Gottman-inspired' or 'drawing from' but actually practicing what the research supports.
Modalities we draw from
Who on our team does this work
Your match on this work.
FAQ
Common questions about gottman method.
What makes the Gottman Method different from other couples therapy?
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It's built on 40+ years of research studying real couples in laboratory settings — identifying what behaviors predict relationship outcomes. That makes it one of the most empirically-supported approaches to couples therapy, rather than based on a single therapist's theory.
What's the Gottman Relationship Checkup?
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A detailed online assessment both partners complete before couples work begins. It maps friendship, intimacy, conflict patterns, shared meaning, and risk factors — giving us a starting map for the work rather than weeks of interview questions.
How is the Gottman Method different from EFT?
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Gottman is more structured and behavioral — specific skills and frameworks applied to specific patterns. EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) is more emotion-driven, focused on the attachment patterns beneath conflict. We often integrate both, using Gottman for structure and EFT for depth.
Does Gottman work for queer couples and non-traditional relationships?
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Yes. The method has been validated with same-sex couples, and we apply it to non-monogamous and polyamorous structures with appropriate adaptation. The underlying patterns (friendship, conflict, shared meaning) apply across relationship structures.
References & further reading
- The Gottman Institute — Research — The Gottman Institute
- Gottman Referral Network — find Gottman-trained therapists — The Gottman Institute
- The Sound Relationship House — theory overview — The Gottman Institute
Last clinically reviewed: April 18, 2026 by Christina Mathieson, LMFT #115093.
From the blog
One Hour a Week Can Save Your Relationship: Here's How
The Gottmans' Weekly State of the Union Meeting is a simple ritual that helps couples pause, reconnect, and nurture their relationship intentionally — one hour a week can change everything.
How the Gottman Method Can Help Increase Intimacy, Respect, and Affection in Your Relationships
Based on four decades of research, the Gottman Method offers practical tools for improving communication, handling conflict, and deepening emotional connection in your relationship.
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Learn moreReady to talk it through?
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