While the first session is a joint meeting to discuss the relationship's history and current struggles, the individual interviews allow each partner to speak privately with the therapist. These sessions serve several key purposes:
Each person can share their personal hopes, fears, and expectations for therapy without their partner present. gottman individual interview questions pdf hot
It is important to note that most Gottman-trained therapists follow a "no secrets" policy, meaning information shared individually that is vital to the relationship's health may eventually need to be brought into joint sessions. Core Areas Explored in the Individual Interview While the first session is a joint meeting
During these sessions, therapists often use semi-structured questions to probe into the following areas: The Gottman Method - About Core Areas Explored in the Individual Interview During
Therapists assess for "deal-breakers" or contraindications for couples therapy, such as ongoing affairs, characterological domestic violence, or untreated addictions.