Why Attend Level 1 Training?
Whether you're a seasoned therapist or just beginning your journey, this 2-day workshop will equip you with powerful, research-backed tools to help couples:
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Manage conflict with compassion
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Build deeper emotional connections
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Create shared meaning and purpose
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Heal from relational wounds
Grounded in over 40 years of research, the Gottman Method is practical, effective, and rooted in hope. This training draws on the Sound Relationship House Theory, with real video examples from the Gottman Love Lab and expert insights from Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
Training Objectives
At the completion of this training, you will be able to:
- Summarize the research that predicts future relationship stability and describe the seven levels of the Sound Relationship House theory, highlighting how these frameworks can inform therapeutic practices.
- Conduct a comprehensive couple’s therapy assessment that incorporates elements of the couple’s narrative, the Oral History Interview, written questionnaires, conflict observations, and individual interviews to gather a holistic view of the relationship.
- Develop a therapeutic contract with the couple that outlines agreed-upon goals, while summarizing their strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring alignment with the couple's objectives.
- Describe the Philosophy of Therapy, detailing its assumptions, techniques, and goals, and how these align with effective interventions.
- Identify and describe two interventions aimed at strengthening a couple’s conflict management and two interventions designed to enhance a couple’s friendship system. Additionally, include two interventions for exploring a couple’s system of shared meaning.
- Explain the importance of physiological self-soothing for maintaining a healthy relationship and how it can be integrated into therapy.
- Recognize and intervene effectively with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in couple dynamics, while describing the overall process of therapy, including the typical structure of a session.
WORKSHOP
Presenters
Marcus Tanner, Ph.D., LMFT-S is a licensed marriage and family therapist, Approved AAMFT Supervisor, and Founder of HealingChoice Family Therapy in Lubbock, TX. With over 20 years of experience as a therapist, educator, and speaker, Marcus has taught graduate-level counseling courses and supervised clinicians across Texas and New Mexico. He is a Certified Gottman Therapist and Level 1 Clinical Trainer. Marcus co-leads workshops and retreats for couples across the region and is passionate about integrating research-based practices with compassionate care to help couples restore connection, rebuild trust, and grow stronger together.
Vagdevi Meunier, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and Founder of The Center for Relationships in Austin, TX. Vagdevi has over 40 years of experience as a therapist, coach, and educator who taught graduate students and professionals at the University of Texas and St. Edward's University in Austin. She is a Senior Certified Gottman Therapist and Approved Clinical Trainer. For the past 20 years, Vagdevi has been facilitating the Art & Science of Love Workshop Gottman retreat for couples in Austin and around the US and has taught all 3 levels of the Gottman professional trainings and coached clinicians from around the world on this method.