Healthy relationships aren’t built on avoiding conflict, they’re built on understanding it. Gottman Method Couples Therapy offers a research-based approach to strengthening relationships by helping couples improve communication, rebuild trust, and deepen emotional connection.
At Daybreak Counseling in Des Moines, our therapists use the Gottman Method to help couples move out of patterns that feel stuck or painful and toward relationships that feel safer, more connected, and more resilient.
The Gottman Method is an evidence-based approach to couples therapy developed through decades of research by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. Their work is grounded in the scientific study of what makes relationships succeed or struggle over time.
This model focuses on understanding relationship dynamics, reducing unhelpful conflict patterns, and intentionally building skills that support long-term emotional health and partnership stability.
Gottman therapy helps couples learn how to:
Rather than assigning blame, the work centers on awareness, skill-building, and creating new ways of relating that feel more supportive and respectful for both partners.
Gottman Method therapy can be helpful for couples who are:
Couples do not need to be in crisis to benefit. Many partners seek Gottman therapy as a proactive way to improve their relationship and prevent future challenges.
What sets the Gottman Method apart is its strong research foundation. The approach identifies specific relationship patterns that predict long-term outcomes and provides practical tools to address them.
At Daybreak, therapists integrate Gottman principles with trauma-informed and emotionally attuned care, recognizing that personal histories, stress, and nervous system responses all play a role in how couples connect and communicate.
At Daybreak Counseling in Des Moines, couples therapy is collaborative and individualized. Your therapist will work with you to understand your unique relationship dynamics, values, and goals while applying Gottman-based strategies that fit your specific needs.
Sessions are designed to be supportive, structured, and grounded in real-life application so that progress continues outside the therapy room.
Couples beginning Gottman therapy can expect:
An initial assessment to understand relationship strengths and challenges
Clear goals tailored to your relationship needs
Skill-building focused on communication, connection, and conflict repair
Ongoing support as you practice new patterns together
The pace of therapy is guided by your goals and comfort level, with an emphasis on creating meaningful, sustainable change.
If you and your partner are ready to strengthen your relationship, improve communication, or reconnect emotionally, Gottman Method couples therapy may be a supportive next step.
Contact Daybreak Counseling today to schedule a consultation and learn more about couples therapy in Des Moines.
