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One of the most important pieces of advice about relationships conflict. By John Flanagan Certified Gottman Therapist, Master Trainer and Consultant
14 May 2021 /
If I was pushed to give what I believe is one of the most important pieces of advice about relationships conflict it is this… ACCEPTANCE FIRST, CHANGE SECOND
Fundamentally accepting your partner for who they are, their beliefs, lived experiences, personality and yes, even their flaws, is critical in conflict and for relationship success. Interestingly, the more couples try to change each other, the more likely they are to resist and become more embedded in their positions. Here in lies the relationship paradox—the more I feel fundamentally accepted and validated for who I am in my relationship, the greater the possibility of change occurring. However, if I feel misunderstood, not listened to or validated, the less likely change will occur. So here it is- listen, show understanding, validate and give empathy to your partner first and problem solve second is the key to successful conflict management and connection.
Our motto is this, “When you are in pain, in distress, experiencing negative emotion, my world stops, and I turn towards you and listen and understand with gentleness and compassion.”
Why learn Gottman Therapy? By John Flanagan Certified Gottman Therapist, Master Trainer and Consultant
14 May 2021 /
Gottman Relationship Therapy Training provides a comprehensive, research-based, professional development pathway in relationship therapy excellence. There are four brilliant levels of training that include a deep dive into research, theory, assessment, formulation, interventions and skills development. Gottman training is world renowned and highly valued.
If you are interested in:
• understanding what makes relationship works or fail,
• comprehending a research-based relationship theory that guides your work with couples,
• understanding comprehensive assessment and formulation of a couple’s strengths and issues,
• developing the skills to use a range of therapeutic interventions to manage conflict, build friendship and connection
Then this training is absolutely for you.
To begin the journey that will transform you couples practice, ‘Gottman Level : Bridging the Couple Chasm’ is a two-day introduction into Gottman research, theory and practice. Watch case videos of Julie Gottman working with a couple from the initial assessment, to managing and de-escalating conflict, building friendship and emotional connection/attunement and creating shared meaning.
Currently in the world, there are 26 Master Trainers and Consultants in Gottman Therapy. This group has honed their craft over many years and lead the Gottman training across all levels. Fortunately, in Australia there are two Master Trainer and Consultants, John Flanagan and Trish Purnell-Webb and they will be conducting a Gottman Level 1 training in July and November of 2021. During this training, Trish and John add a level of experience, depth and case examples that consolidate learning and create a highly enjoyable and informative professional development environment—so come and join them.
The 4 Day Relationship Reboot. By John Flanagan Certified Gottman Therapist, Master Trainer and Consultant
29 March 2021 /
As we are making steps towards what resembles a normal existence: lockdowns and border closures are almost in the rear vision mirror. Restaurants, theatres, art galleries and theme parks have reopened. Australians as a whole have been remarkable in the way we have responded to the pandemic. Never before have mental health support services been so overwhelmed with individuals, couples and families seeking assistance for stress, anxiety, depression and relationship issues.
View articlePursuer-Distancer-Dynamic. By Trish Purnell-Webb. Clinical Psychologist, Certified Gottman Therapist, Master Trainer & Consultant
25 February 2021 / For therapists / Relationship Help / Relationship Institute Australasia / Gottman Marital Therapy / Art & Science of Love Couples Workshops / Bringing Baby Home
A variety of experts such as Gottman, Johnson, and Tatkin, say one of the most common conflict cycles in relationships is the pursuer-distancer dynamic. In other words, if one partner becomes frustrated, agitated or (in extreme cases) aggressive - the other partner's reaction may be to become increasingly defensive and/or physically distant. This includes leaving the room, house, or neighbourhood.
View articleStaying Connected in 2021. By Trish Purnell-Webb. Clinical Psychologist, Certified Gottman Therapist, Master Trainer & Consultant
17 February 2021 / Relationship Help / Relationship Institute Australasia / Gottman Marital Therapy / Art & Science of Love Couples Workshops / Bringing Baby Home
Dr John Gottman says, “More relationships die by ice than by fire.” What does he mean? Through Gottman’s research, he found that couples who stopped talking together, who were ‘too busy’ to make time for each other, or who simply ‘got on with the everyday business of life’, ended up emotionally disconnected from each other.
View article2021 with Intentions - by John Flanagan Certified Gottman Therapist, Master Trainer and Consultant
20 December 2020 / Relationship Help / Relationship Institute Australasia / Gottman Marital Therapy / Art & Science of Love Couples Workshops / Bringing Baby Home
What a tremendous opportunity we are presented with as we take time to rest and gather with friends and family and to make meaning of the year just past. What we believed to be important and took for granted in the beginning of the year radically changed in March. Unquestionably, 2020 was a struggle for many people, families and relationships and, through necessity, 2020 allowed us to strip back our deeply held values and priorities in life (for some it seemed to be toilet paper)! Priorities like safety, security, health, connection, time together, appreciation and gratefulness emerged as repeated themes.
View articleGoodbye 2020 - By John Flanagan. Certified Gottman Marital Therapist, Master Trainer and Consultant
25 November 2020 /
Well, how to describe this year without using words like unprecedented, lockdowns, COVID 19, pandemic, strain, and stress. Ok, so I don’t think it is possible. 2020 has been a beast of year that has drained our resources on all levels. Families and friends separated from each other, support networks and activities reduced or reconfigured for much of the population at different times throughout the year. Jobs ] lost, the economy dipped into recession for the first time in 30 years, and many people have used their superfunds to stay afloat. People are seeking support of psychological and relationship services in numbers never seen before. Co-existing with this, 2020 has created opportunities to build resilience and adjust our lives and to reflect on what is important, what we want more of, less of and what we want to change.
View articleWhat’s up with CHANGE? By Trish Purnell-Webb. Clinical Psychologist, Certified Gottman Therapist, Master Trainer & Consultant
12 October 2020 / For therapists / Relationship Help / Gottman Marital Therapy / Art & Science of Love Couples Workshops
Words like ‘change’, ‘unprecedented’, ‘crazy’, have been thrown around daily in our lives over the past 7 months. COVID, shut-down, quarantine, isolation have become conditions we have had to learn to live with. They have all become associated with negative feelings, fear, hopelessness, and most of us feel like we are in a constant state of survival. This is a very hard way to live and yet we are managing it. The conditions that have led to this state of affairs have changed irrevocably how we will live in the future - greater awareness on hygiene, social distancing, management of viral illness both at a macro and micro level. On top of that, we are also aware that trying to go back to our old ways leads to community relapse and results in a re-emergence of infections, loss and distress.
These same conditions can be found when we take a look at relationships that begin to struggle.
Understanding the Stages of Lifetime Love - By John Flanagan. Certified Gottman Marital Therapist, Master Trainer and Consultant
26 May 2020 /
Love can bring with it an intoxicating and powerful mix of emotions and chemicals that change a person’s perspectives, thinking, and feelings instantaneously. Love can turn people into writers and poets and into gentler, more empathetic, and attentive versions of themselves, but as we know, love doesn’t always work. We are all too familiar with the frequent stories of failed love, people reporting the honeymoon suddenly ending, and noticing all the annoying habits of the other. With conflict escalating the relationship soon falls apart.
Can current research shed light on what is happens to love?
Living Together in the time of Coronavirus by Trish Purnell-Webb
15 April 2020 /
By now you have mastered hand-washing, social distancing and staying at home as much as possible and even though it’s only been a few weeks my guess is it already feels endless. Uncertainty is a nerve wracking state to live in, even for a short time. So many questions, so few answers. This situation, on top of the increased intensity of living more closely together for more prolonged periods with our loved ones can feel overwhelming and put more pressure on our relationships.
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