Strengthen your Relationship with the Gottman Method
Evidence-based Couples Therapy
Dr. Angelo Mussoni
Psychologist-Psychotherapist, Certified Gottman Therapist, Coach
Learn how to improve communication, disarm conflict, and build a strong relationship with a science-based approach.
Since 2003, I have been working in the nonprofit field designing and organizing support services for multiproblem families and children in guardianship.
As a psychotherapist, I am a Certified Gottman Therapist and I’ve been trained directly by Julie and John Gottman. I also hold the title of Gottman Seven Principles Workshop Leader. I also have a background in cognitive-behavioral and dialectical-behavioral therapy. I am an American Psychological Association International Affiliate.
I routinely work in English with international couples, expats, and in long-distance relationships.
I offer online and In-person therapy services in English and Italian, including individual counseling, couples therapy, and coaching.
I also offer marathon couples therapy, an innovative and intensive alternative to the usual weekly sessions. This method involves a condensed and concentrated approach to couple counseling, allowing ample time to tackle specific issues and steer your relationship back on course. Depending on your needs, you will engage in sessions over a single day or over three consecutive days.
Participants in Marathon Couples Therapy benefit from a scientific evaluation of their relationship conducted by the Gottman Love Lab, a unique resource globally. This thorough relationship assessment identifies areas for significant improvement, enabling you to progress toward a stronger, more connected, and hopeful relationship.
Gottman Method
I use the Gottman method because it integrates emotionally oriented, existential, humanistic and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy techniques, as well as incorporating knowledge from neuroscience and Porges’ polyvagal theory. This multidisciplinary approach allows couples’ issues to be addressed holistically, comprehensively and effectively.
The Gottman Method is based on several decades of research conducted on thousands of couples by John Gottman, who identified the communication dynamics most typically associated with divorce or relationship breakdown in the short and long term.
As a result of the observations made and the extensive clinical experience of John and Julie Gottman, was developed The ‘Sound Relationship House’ theory, that is the foundation of the Gottman method. This approach aims to consolidate the various components that research has shown to be crucial to relationship satisfaction and stability.
You will learn how to:
- Maintaining a positive emotional connection
- Repairing negative interactions
- Managing conflicts
- Building ‘love maps’
- Nurturing affection and admiration for each other
- Accepting the influences of the partner
- Solving solvable problems
- Overcoming blocks and gridlock conflicts
- Creating a sense of shared meaning
My therapeutic process:
I assess the couple system in terms of strengths and areas of challenge, according the Sound Relationship House Theory.
We share a common goal to work on and a draft of strategies to achieve it.
At the end of each session, we share with the couple an action plan to be implemented to progress in the therapeutic work. The couple provides feedback on the progress of the session just concluded.
At the beginning of each subsequent session, the pair provides updates on the implementation of the agreed action plan, and we define the theme of the new session.
Some examples about when get in touch with me:
- when confronting each other about a problem there is a feeling of hurting each other and 'going around in circles' without solving anything;
- you feel criticized, belittled, or not taken seriously by your partner;
- you avoid conflict or explode in an aggressive and disrespectful form of each other;
- you are uncertain or ambivalent about wanting to continue the relationship;
- you have repeatedly considered divorce/break-up, with or without having spoken to your partner;
- there has been a betrayal and/or another important incident that has broken the trust between you and you do not know how to rebuild it
- you have different attachment styles: one perceives the other as too distant, and vice versa the other feels the former as too dependent/attached
- you have difficulty managing parenting and the changes associated with the arrival of a new child
- you disagree in matters of economic/financial management;
- the conflict involves a high intensity of physiological activation (e.g. your heartbeat accelerates noticeably);
- you argue periodically and you feel like that you are dealing with a 'stone-wall';
- you feel emotionally distant and alone when you are together;
- you feel that you are not listened to by the other when making decisions;
- your sexual intimacy is reduced and/or there are problems;
- you have the feeling that you are repeating the same behavioural pattern already acted out with other partners and/or in your family of origin;
- there is an addiction problem, whether behavioural or substance-related (pornography, gambling, alcohol, etc.);
- there is a neurodiverse condition in the couple (e.g. autism, Asperger's, ADHD) that impacts on the relationship and is difficult to manage;
- in the couple there are psychological/health conditions of one of the partners (anxiety, depression, degenerative illness, chronic illness, etc.) that you find difficult to manage;
FAQ
Individual sessions are 50’ or 60’ long. Couple sessions are 90’ or 120’ long. Length varies depending on agreements and needs.
Sessions costs 90€/hr.
Some sliding scales slots could be provided. Subjected to availability.
Rates
50 min – 80€
80 min – 120€
I reserve 2 spots for couples in financial difficulty, for whom sessions are offered at 60€. If you want to apply please check availability when booking!
I am available for online therapy sessions Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm CET.
There is currently a waiting list, so you are advised to book early to secure an available slot.
Marathon Couple Therapy
The marathon therapy is a concentrated and intensive approach that allows couples to address their problems in a short period of time. This type of therapy is particularly useful for couples who need rapid and significant interventions, avoiding the long durations of weekly sessions.
Who is it for?
- Stagnant Progress: Couples not making progress with traditional therapy.
- Highly Committed: Those dedicated to addressing and improving their couple issues.
- Preference for Intensive Work: Couples who prefer focused and intensive sessions to quickly resolve key issues.
- Busy Lifestyles: Suitable for those with very busy schedules who find it difficult to dedicate time to regular sessions.
- Effective for Severe Conflicts: Helps stabilize severe conflicts quickly and effectively.
Situations Not Suitable for Intensive Therapy:
- Active Addictions: Ongoing substance abuse problems
- Serious Violence: Presence of severe violence or threats.
- Untreated Mental Illnesses: Severe, untreated mental health issues.
- Suicidal/Homicidal Thoughts: Serious harm threats present or past.: Ongoing, undisclosed extramarital affairs.
Structure of Marathon Therapy
Assessment and Planning
- Morning: Couple interview and video recordings.
- Midday: Online questionnaires and lunch break.
- Afternoon: Feedback session and development of the treatment plan.
1-3 days of therapy with multiple daily sessions
- Regular Online Therapy: Continue with regular online sessions.
- Periodic Retreats: Plan additional intensive retreats if necessary.
Costs
- Accommodation: Provided by the couple.
- First Day: 650€ + 99$
- Following Days: 600€/day
Book the First Session
Individual and couple therapy and coaching on-line
Gottman Method
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Coaching
Once you have completed the form, you will be contacted for a 20-minute consultation call
If possible, an intensive in-person couples therapy course is available. The available cities are: Padova, Vicenza, Rimini, Bologna, Firenze. Ask for information during the call.
Dr. Angelo Mussoni. All Right Reserved.