Structured diagnostics of the couple: joint interview → individual sessions → feedback with treatment plan.
Step-by-step guide
- Session 1 (joint): narrative interview, observation of interaction
- Session 2a (individual): confidential conversation with partner A — violence, addictions, secrets
- Session 2b (individual): confidential conversation with partner B
- Analysis: strengths, horsemen, floors of the House, prognosis
- Session 3 (joint): feedback — first the strengths, then the areas of work
- Presenting the treatment plan: concrete goals and expected timeframes
When to use
- At the start of work with every new couple — a mandatory step
Key phrases
We will spend three sessions understanding you before we treat you. One together, one each alone, and a fourth where I give you back what I saw — strengths first, then the places where the work lives.
Follow-up questions
What would you want me to ask, that I might not think to ask?
What should I understand about your individual lives to do this well?
Is there anything I should know only from you, not from both?
What do you hope the feedback session will say?
Alternative phrasings
Information from the individual session stays confidential, within safety limits.
If a fourth session is needed, we take it — assessment is not rushed.
Warnings
- ⚠️ Information from the individual sessions is confidential. Be sure to ask about violence, addictions, affairs.
Source: Gottman J. M. & Gottman J. S. 2015 — Gottman Method Couple Therapy
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.