COUPLES GROUP · PROVO, UTAH
The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work
Group therapy workshops for couples, based on the Gottman Method.
This group therapy offering is designed for couples who want to strengthen their relationship using a research-based, practical, and deeply human approach. Based on The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, this group focuses on building skills that support long-term connection, trust, and emotional safety rather than quick fixes or surface-level advice.
Based on the bestselling book by Dr. John Gottman and Nan Silver.
What Couples Take Away
The group is structured around the seven core principles that research has shown to be essential for healthy, lasting relationships. These principles help couples:
Build a deeper friendship and emotional connection
Learn how to manage disagreements in healthier ways
Increase understanding and appreciation for one another
Create shared meaning, values, and purpose as a couple
Improve communication and reduce harmful conflict patterns
The Seven Principles
01 Enhance Your Love Maps
This principle focuses on truly knowing your partner’s inner world their hopes, stresses, values, fears, and daily experiences. Strong relationships are built on ongoing curiosity and emotional awareness of one another.
02 Let Your Partner Influence You
Healthy relationships involve mutual respect and flexibility. This principle emphasizes openness, shared power, and the ability to consider your partner’s perspective rather than becoming rigid or defensive.
03 Nurture Fondness and Admiration
Couples who maintain respect, appreciation, and positive regard for each other are more resilient during conflict. This principle helps couples intentionally notice and express what they value in one another.
04 Solve Your Solvable Problems
Some conflicts are practical and can be addressed with effective communication, compromise, and problem-solving skills. This principle teaches tools for discussing issues calmly and productively.
05 Turn Toward Each Other Instead of Away
Relationships grow through small, everyday moments of connection responding to bids for attention, support, or affection. Turning toward builds trust and emotional safety over time.
06 Overcome Gridlock
Many conflicts are rooted in deeper values, dreams, or meanings rather than surface issues. This principle helps couples understand what is underneath stuck patterns and learn how to honor differences without trying to “win.”
07 Create Shared Meaning
Strong couples develop a sense of shared purpose, rituals, values, and goals. This principle focuses on building a life together that feels meaningful, intentional, and connected.
Who This Group Is For
This group is ideal for couples who want to be proactive about their relationship, rebuild connection, or strengthen an already stable partnership. The work is collaborative, respectful, and grounded in the understanding that relationships grow best when both partners feel seen, heard, and supported.
Group therapy is not about comparing relationships it is about learning, practicing, and growing together in a way that honors the uniqueness of each couple while providing a clear, supportive framework for change.