I use Gottman Method Couples Therapy in my work with couples (level 3 Training). Many people have heard about Gottman Method but what is it and would it be right for you? Through research-based interventions and exercises, Gottman Method helps couples break through barriers to achieve greater understanding, connection and intimacy in their relationships. It is a structured, goal-oriented, scientifically-based therapy. Intervention strategies are based upon empirical data from Dr. Gottman's four decades of research with more than 3,000 couples. This research shows us what actually works to help couples achieve a long-term healthy relationship. The Gottman Method was developed out of this research to help you and your spouse or partner:

- Increase respect, affection, and closeness
- Break through and resolve conflict when you feel stuck
- Generate greater understanding between you and your partner
- Keep conflict discussions calm
- Maintain improvements in your relationship

The therapy consists of a minimum of 3 sessions of assessment (the first one is joint, and the subsequent two are individual), in addition to an in-depth online individual assessment through the Gottman Institute which includes your Couples Workbook  ($75). You then come together with me to discuss your treatment plan that is customized to your particular strengths and areas that need work. You will typically meet on a bi-weekly basis for 80 minutes. My clinic’s fee is $330 for couples 80-minute sessions and $220 for individual 50-minute sessions. Our fee is set by the Psychological Association of Alberta. This specialized therapy will take a minimum 6-month commitment. Most couples work with me intensively for the first 8 sessions, then once a month to quarterly, and then come back for yearly check-ups. I would say the average is from 8 - 16 sessions depending on the amount of work that is required to bring back harmony and how much the couple works on skills outside of the therapy room.

 I also offer Marathon Couples Intensives (2-4 days) for clients that may not live in the Calgary area but are looking to gain rapid change and traction in their relationship. This is can really make a difference if there has been a recent betrayal compared to weekly or bi-weekly sessions. If this is of interest, please let me know as it needs advanced booking.

 Yes, it sounds like this is a costly investment…an investment in your peace, happiness, and in being healthy parents for your children. In the grand scheme of things, this is certainly a lot less expensive than divorce. Gottman Method Therapy helps couples develop and strengthen the qualities of positive, healthy relationships that Dr. Gottman discovered in his 40+ years of research with couples.

 Couples can attend sessions by way of video (teletherapy) or in-person. Using teletherapy allows the me to reach couples who otherwise would not be able to seek services. The modern-day convenience of video conferencing allows for couples to maintain continuity of sessions despite the stress of conflicting work schedules, childcare and traffic. Teletherapy is NOT appropriate for all couples, which is why I conduct a thorough assessment on all couples in the first 2-3 sessions, and will determine if teletherapy is the best fit for them.  Please note that couples will be expected to both be in the same room together on the same computer screen for sessions.

 It is a very hands-on and directive method. You can expect me to do the education and some talking, but the goal is for you to talk more to your partner than to the me. There is a goal to teach with each session and to leave you with learning objectives to practice between sessions. The Gottman’s believe that you came to therapy to shake-up your current relationship dance. You will be called out on your ‘stuff’ but always with love, care and respect.

 Finally, I’m sure you are wondering if I’m going to tell you to get a divorce. No, but I may think it. I am committed to your overall health and wellness as well as the children’s that you may have in your life. If your goal is to transform your relationship for better, Gottman Method will help you do that. If your goal is to split on good terms and with a friendship still intact, Gottman Method will help you do that. You identify where you want to go, then I will guide you to the destination. One of the most discouraging parts of couples therapy is the amount of time couples wait before seeking help. On average, couples wait six years before seeking counsel. By then, much damage has been done. If you think Gottman Couples Therapy may be right for you, please reach out to a qualified therapist that has at the minimum Level 3 Training. Don’t wait for 4-6 years to do something about it.

What is Marathon Couples Counselling?

Bergeron Psychological Services offers an intensive version of our regular Gottman Method approach counselling for couples, relationships and marriages for those who live out of town, cannot travel to Calgary on a weekly basis, or are seeking to fast track their progress. Intensives allow us to accomplish multiple sessions over the course of a few days. Arrangements can be made with one of our highly trained therapists to provide these sessions consisting of 6 hours per day, occurring over several consecutive days.

Couples /relationships/marriages that have experienced this modality and have also attended typical counselling sessions stated they would never have made the breakthroughs they did without being able to work through their issues in one extended sitting. They felt that by not being rushed, the needed comfort to share was built up as they went on in the sessions, and they felt a strong sense of trust and safety with their therapist.

 What does it involve?

Marathon Therapy is an intensive and focused therapeutic modality for couples, relationships and marriages in high distress or simply in need of a relationship expert. What you can expect from a Marathon session with one of our therapists is to foster respect, affection, and closeness to build and share a deeper connection with each other’s inner world; to keep conflict discussions calm; to facilitate breakthroughs; to resolve conflict grid-lock; and to strengthen and maintain the gains in your relationship.

We start out by identifying the goals and intentions of the therapy process right from the start. We help couples come to a compromise on their “gridlocked” issues: many times, couples do not always have the same aspirations, hopes or goals, yet they need to come to some sort of resolution. We do our best to honor both individuals’ hopes and dreams. Our goal is to facilitate you in accessing new strengths, learning new skills, and gaining new insights, which moves them in the direction that you want their relationship to go.

Who would benefit?

Any couple who is experiencing marital or relationship distress who feel they would benefit from longer extended sessions.

Any couple who does not live in the vicinity of Calgary or wants to gain traction in their counselling progress at an increase rate.

Any couple in distress who feel the need for urgent help and will be unable to schedule regular sessions over time due to demands on their own schedules such as work or travel work or travel.

 Who would Not be a Candidate?

Couples who have already determined to leave their relationship and cannot commit to the therapy process are unlikely to derive significant benefit from this process, and are therefore not candidates for this type of therapy. If there is active domestic violence or active addiction within the relationship.

How Do We Book a Marathon Package?

If you live out of town, you will book two to four consecutive days of therapy. You would stay in a local hotel or commute back to your home, depending on travel distance. Depending on how the therapy evolves, you may choose to return for follow-up sessions every few weeks or months (virtually if you live out of town). *If there has been a recent infidelity in the marriage, please let us know as we would require a 3-day booking.

You pay a 50% deposit at the time of booking and the balance at the start of your first session.  Due to our scheduling commitments, there is a 3-week cancellation policy. Our therapists have to make themselves available and arrange their schedules for these sessions, so it is imperative that you keep your appointment and commit to this process.  If you cancel 3 weeks prior to the start of your therapy, a full refund will be issued.

We are available for Marathon sessions almost any day of the week, depending of course, on scheduling availability.

How We Begin…

On your first Intensive day you will first meet together with your therapist, and then each partner will have the opportunity for an individual session as well. After that, the therapist will meet with both/all partners and discuss the current state of your relationship, how it got there, and the establishment of a plan for moving you toward your goals. Once we believe that we are all on the same page, the therapy begins in earnest.

Marathon Package Pricing:

One Day Current Client Therapy Intensive

$1650

• 1 hour Discovery session

• Joint session to explore the beginnings of relationship, evolution and challenges

• Two individual sessions

• Gottman Institute online Relationship Check Up assessment for each person

• Feedback and goal setting session

 Two Day Package

$3300

• Includes all of the assessments and interventions mentioned above

• 12 hours of intensive therapy/coaching

• two individual sessions (within the 12 hours)

• feedback and goal setting session

• A take home package of tools and supplementary support material

• Highly skilled therapists who have years of experience working with couples and relationships of many types

Three Day Package

$4950

• Recommended for Affair Recovery

• Includes all of the assessments and interventions mentioned above

• 18 hours of Intensive therapy/coaching

• two individual sessions (within the 18 hours)

• feedback and goal setting session

• A take home package of tools and supplementary support material.

• Highly skilled therapists who have years of experience working with couples and relationships of many types

Four Day Package

$6600

• Recommended for Affair Recovery & those wanting extra support

• 1 hr discovery session prior to booking

• Includes all of the assessments and interventions mentioned above

• 24 hours of Intensive therapy/coaching

• two individual sessions (within the 24 hours)

• feedback and goal setting session

• A take home package of tools and supplementary support material.

• Highly skilled therapists who have years of experience working with couples and relationships of many types

• Can also be divided into 2, 2-day sessions instead of 4 consecutive days

I am LGBTQ2+ friendly and welcome non-typical and neuro-divergent couples, relationships and marriages