“The quality of our closest relationships, more than any other factor, determines our physical health, resistance to disease, and longevity.” ~ John M. Gottman & Julie S. Gottman
Relationships are a major part of the human experience. Research indicates that satisfying relationships lead to greater subjective wellbeing and can predict satisfaction with life more generally. Relationships, like all important parts of life, can take effort to maintain and sustain. Sometimes it can be hard, and there can be a reduction in communication and intimacy.
It might be time to try Couples Therapy if:
- You’ve tried to address your relationship issues together, but it hasn’t been successful
- You are arguing more often without resolving anything
- You want a neutral and non-judgemental space to talk things through
- You feel disconnected from your partner
- You are struggling with parenting
- You have lost trust in your partner due to a breach of trust
Compass Couples Therapy also provides individual therapy for relationship problems, when only one partner is willing to attend therapy.
Compass Couples Therapy supports couples to:
- Improve their communication, connection and intimacy
- Deepen their empathy and compassion for one another
- Identify and manage the factors which are contributing to stress in the relationship
- Identify goals to achieve as individuals and as a couple
- Change problematic conflict patterns and address unresolved conflict
- Recover from relationship injuries such as affairs or breaches of trust
- Negotiate relationship expectations and roles, such as housework, parenting etc
- Navigate life transitions such as getting married, having a child etc
- Navigate parenting issues (with special interest in supporting parents of neurodivergent children)
Some of the benefits of Couples Therapy include:
- Developing a deeper awareness of self, each other, and the relationship
- Becoming more able to identify and express feelings, fears, values, and hopes
- Learning to identify issues that lead to recurring conflicts and disconnection, and developing strategies to manage this
- Improving communication skills through learning more about each other’s communication style, and learning skills that are helpful rather than harmful to the relationship
- Strengthening of friendship and attachment with each other
- Improving the overall satisfaction of your relationship
Therapeutic Approaches
Compass Couples Therapy’s approach to Couples Therapy is evidence-based, and primarily informed by the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy.
The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy
The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy is designed to support couples of all cultures and sexual orientations. The Gottman Method is backed by over 40 years of rigorous research and includes practical and actionable steps that help couples to continue to work on their issues outside of therapy.
The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy helps couples strengthen their relationships in three primary areas:
Friendship
Conflict Management
Creation of shared meaning
Interventions used in the Gottman Method are research-based and grounded in the Sound Relationship House theory. This theory identifies seven “floors” that a couple can move through to improve their relationship, along with two “weight-bearing walls,” which are essential to holding the couple together. Each floor of the Sound Relationship House represents an opportunity for couples to develop new skills that will strengthen their relationship.
Other Therapeutic Approaches used include:
- Solution Focused Brief Therapy for Couples
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Compass Couples Therapy Structure
Information Gathering Phase
| Step 1 | Initial Appointment (90 minutes): Sasha will answer any questions that the couple have, and discuss the couples therapy process. Sasha will gather information about the couple’s relationship and what brings the couple to therapy. |
| Step 2 | Individual Sessions (90 minutes~45 minutes each partner): Each partner meets Sasha individually to discuss their relationship history and individual goals for therapy. |
| Step 3 | Each partner completes an online Gottman Relationship Assessment The couple then have the option of completing the online Gottman Relationship Assessment, which measures each couple’s overall relationship health; friendship and intimacy; romance and passion; how you manage conflict; your shared meaning; and levels of trust and commitment. Please note that there is a one-off fee (USD $39) for this assessment, paid directly to the Gottman Institute. The results will be sent to Sasha for review. |
| Step 4 | Treatment Planning (90 minutes): The couple work with Sasha to define specific goals for therapy and engage in collaborative treatment planning. |
Treatment Phase
| Step 5 | Treatment Sessions (90 minutes): Couples initially attend appointments weekly or fortnightly as required, in order to meet their therapy goals. Once couples are making progress, appointments can become less frequent. Couples will be provided with ideas, activities, resources and recommendations to support their goals between appointments. |
