In addition to the prerequisite courses and documentation, The Gottman Institute highly recommends additional preparation before submitting your application to the Certification Track.
Overall Clinical Experience
- Theoretical orientation that includes method of addressing the deeper meaning beneath issues (i.e.: psychodynamic, trauma theory, etc.)
- Experience working with adult populations in one or more of the following: domestic violence, substance abuse and recovery, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorders and affective disorders
- Experience working within diverse and/or international environments that includes work with minority or underserved populations
- Strong clinical experience providing individual therapy
Understanding of the Gottman Method
First and foremost, you should have a deep and full understanding of the Gottman Method. You should take the time to implement this style of couples therapy in your practice and be comfortable using the Gottman Method interventions before entering the Certification Track. If you enter the Certification Track without a thorough understanding, you may need to work with your Consultant to go over concepts and topics. This could take time away from video feedback and guidance.
Recommended Minimum Number of Couples Clients
We also highly recommend having an adequate number of clients in your practice to meaningfully integrate Gottman Method into your practice. It helps to have a diverse caseload of clients within your practice too. We suggest having 5 couples who consent to filming, but preferably with a full load in your practice with at least ½ made up of couples. This ensures you are able to start recording right when you enter the Certification Track instead of spending time recruiting new clients to your practice.
Find the Consultant Right for You
Each of our Consultants for the program have different styles of approach to therapy, specialties, interests, and availability. We suggest you reach out to the Consultants who interest you the most via the Gottman Referral Network. We want you to feel supported and comfortable in the Certification Track and your Consultant is who you will be working most closely with. Talking to our Consultants and getting to know them before the application deadline will help you make an informed and confident decision.
Technology
The Certification Track does require you to tape your clients for video review. We recommend that you have some familiarity with recording and video editing systems on your computer. These videos do not need to be professionally edited by any means, but they will need to be within the 15-20 minute timeframe.
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