Patrician has been trained professionally by Drs. John and Julie Gottman and Dr. David Penner, see above photos. As a Certified Family Life Educator and Relationship Specialist, Patrician offers a scientifically sound approach whether helping couples strengthen their relationship through marriage enrichment, or navigating a difficult season. Patrician is certified in Level 1 and Level 2 Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and is also certified as a Gottman Bringing Baby Home Educator, and as a Gottman Seven Principals for Making Marriage Work Educator, Gottman Biblical Reference Guide, in addition to having certifications in other many other research based methods.
The Gottman Institute is an internationally renowned organization created by Drs. Julie and John Gottman for the purpose of building strong relationships and repairing troubled ones. Drs. John and Julie Gottman are world- renowned for their work on marital stability and divorce prediction, involving the study of emotions, physiology and communication using a medical / scientific approach. Dr. John Gottman has conducted 40 years of breakthrough research with thousands of couples, has authored or co-authored over 40 books, and is the author of 200 published academic articles on relationships. In collaboration with his wife, Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman, he developed an approach to relationships that not only supports and repairs troubled marriages, but strengthens happy ones. Their research based methodologies teach practical skills to couples and parents to strengthen relationships. Dr. Julie Gottman is a highly respected clinical psychologist and educator who has created curriculums for marriages, distressed couples, abuse and trauma survivors, parents, families in poverty, and domestic violence, in addition to having authored / co-authored 3 books. The Gottmans have won numerious awards, and are sought internationally by media and organizations as expert advisors on marriage, treatment of trauma, treatment of affairs, domestic violence and parenting issues.
Dr. David Penner is a licensed psychologist in private practice. He serves as the Clincial Director of the Gottman Institute, and provides training and consultation to Gottman clinicians in North America, Asia and Europe. He has authored several books which utilize the Gottman Method, including The Biblical Reference Guide for the Gottman Method. Dr. Penner has been professionally trained in both psychology and theology, and has an interest in integrating spirtuality into clinical practice with clients who desire to do so although the beliefs of all clients are treated with respect and sensitivity.
Enrichment and Prevention Programs
The Gottman Bringing Baby Home Program is a research based, and researched tested, psycho- educational intervention program focused on helping expectant couples and parents of infants and toddlers to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills needed to cope constructively with the changes brought about by the birth of a child. Research shows that within three years after the birth of a child, two thirds of couples will experience a significant drop in their relationship quality and will have a dramatic increase in conflict and hostility. The challenges for new parents can also include emotional and hormonal changes such as the baby blues and other postpartum mood disorders. Research shows that a couples's emotional connection is the real foundation for a baby's development. A hostile parent- parent relationship or a withdrawn or intrusive parent - child relationship holds lasting negative effects on a child's emotional, social, and cognitive development. Therefore, it is critical to the health of young families that we address the tragedy of parent to parent hostility, dissolving relationship quality, postpartum depression and emotionally insensitive parenting. The Bringing Baby Home Program equipts couples with the knowledge and skills needed to cope constructively with the changes brought about by the birth of a chld. The Program teaches couples how to strengthen their friendship, increase intimacy, regulate conflict in addition to teaching couples about child development, learning how to co-parent together, and teaches couples how to promote the well being of their child's emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development. Gottman's research shows that couples who participated in the Bringing Baby Home Program have less relationship meltdown, have higher relationship quality, less interpersonal hostility, lower divorce rate, and less incidence of progressive symptoms of postpartum depression (22.5% compared to 66.5% in the control group), less baby blues, and less anxiety and depression for both parents. Research also indicated positive benefits in parent- baby relations, infant development and temperament, and father involvement.
The Seven Principals for Making Marriage Work Program is based on the latest research about what makes marriages succeed, and what happens when relationships deteriorate and fail. Research shows that couples wait an average of six years from the time they identify problems in their relationship until they seek help. By then, problems deepen, opposing positions become more entrenched, feelings become deeply hurt and the task of recovery is much greater. There is always hope for deteriorating relationships if the couple is willing to seek help. However, it is always best to be prepared and ward off problems before they occur. This program is for anyone who wants their relationship to attain its highest potential. It aids couples in deepening the friendship foundation of their relationship, managing conflict successfully, and honoring each other's dreams while creating shared meaning.
Biblical Reference Guide For the Gottman Method blends Gottman research on relationships with a Biblical perspective in order to build stronger relationships. This method provides a Biblical perspective to go along with the Gottman Method for those who are seeking a research based and biblical perspective.
Call 706-831-6026 or email
for an appointment today.
Please leave a contact number when emailing.