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Gottman Consultants GOTTMAN CONSULTANTS Michael Basta, LCSW (Santa Rosa, CA) I am a clinical social worker with 30 years experience helping emotionally distressed couples and families to improve their relationships and to develop more effective interpersonal skills. I began my training as a Gottman Method Couples Therapist in 2002 and this method has become the central focus of my practice. I am appreciative for the clear road map that it has given me for my work with couples. Currently, I primarily see couples in my practice using Gottman Method; however, I also utilize elements of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, and Dan Wile’s Collaborative Couples Therapy. I believe that one of the strengths of the Gottman Method is its adaptability to complementary methods. In addition to my work as a Gottman Method Couples Therapist, I have been providing the Art and Science of Love Workshop (with my colleague Marcia Gomez) three times per year since 2008. I also have been presenting Level 1 and Level 2 workshops, and will be offering Level 3 starting in 2015. I find it invaluable to be part of the community of Gottman clinicians, as col- laboration with my colleagues challenges me to continue to learn and grow as a clinician. I am also honored to be part of this talented and dedicated group of professionals. One way that I maintain my connection with the community of Gottman clinicians is to serve as a Master Teacher at the Gottman’s couples workshops in Seattle, training Gottman Method Therapists to become effec- tive roving clinicians. I believe that consultation is the central process for therapists to integrate Gottman Method into their work. It troubles me that many clinicians seem to think of Gottman Method as being restricted to psycho-education. I believe that it is important for those learning Gottman Method to develop an under- standing of the potential depth and breadth of the approach in addition to mastering the specific techniques. Further, I believe that it the consultant- consultee relationship needs to be one of trust and honesty. It takes some courage for clinicians-who are often used to working in privacy- to expose their work to others through case discussion and video tape review. It is im- portant to develop a relationship of safety and collaboration for the consulta- tion process to be effective. Copyright © 2000–2014 by Dr. John M. Gottman and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman. Distributed under license by The Gottman Institute, Inc. Michael Brown, MSC, LMFT ( Jacksonville, FL) I was introduced to Gottman Method during my practicum year and quickly became enamored of it. I found that it gave me the competence and confi- dence to be a better couples therapist and the couples that I work with the skills they needed to improve their relationship. The consultation process was both challenging and supportive and it helped me to hone my skills as a couples therapist and to integrate Gottman Method into my practice. I would hope to provide the same kind of support and challenge for consultees. I am also a Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Clinical Trainer and an Art and Science of Love Couples Workshop Leader. I am interested in working with diverse populations (and consultees). Prior to starting my private practice in Jacksonville in August of 2017, I worked in community mental health and substance abuse treatment for 13 years, the last 8 with the White Mountain Apache Tribe in Eastern Arizona. I also have experience in Latin America and am fluent in Spanish. Prior to my career in marriage and family therapy, I was in pastoral work for 17 years. I lived and worked in Peru for 10 years. One of my dreams is to train therapists in Gottman Method in Peru and in other parts of Latin America. I am happy to provide consultation in both English and Spanish. William Bumberry, Ph.D. (Chesterfield, MO) I’m a clinical psychologist with more than 25 years experience helping couples create connection and deepen their bonds. During the past decade, the Gottman Method, with its clinical clarity and impactful interventions, has been at the center of this work. In addition to being a Certified Gottman Therapist, I’m also active in presenting the Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 work- shops and serve as a video reviewer. Being part of this community continues to inform my practice and enrich my professional life. While there are many rewarding aspects to belonging to the Gottman community, one of the most gratifying is the opportunity to serve as a consultant to clinicians pursuing certification. Consultation is the central process for helping you integrate the Gottman Method ideas and interventions into your work. In addition to becoming proficient in using the core Gottman Method interventions, understanding their “spirit” is essential in learning to effectively blend them with your own therapeutic style. The process emphasizes using case consultation and video- Copyright © 2000–2014 by Dr. John M. Gottman and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman. Distributed under license by The Gottman Institute, Inc. tape review as the most effective ways to provide focused, clinically relevant feedback regarding your work. Carrie Cole, M.Ed., LPC (Houston, TX) I have been drawn to John Gottman’s research since graduate school, as my greatest joy is working with couples. My husband and I opened the Center for Relationship Wellness in 2006 with the intention of specializing in couple relationships using Gottman Method Couples Therapy. My own consultation process was very helpful in my development and confidence. The interven- tions are powerful and helpful to couples, and they provide guidance and clarity for the therapist. My goal is to help Consultees gain confidence in the use of Gottman Method Couples Therapy in a safe, supportive, collaborative environment. I have been a supervisor in the State of Texas for over 10 years and have loved helping colleagues develop and achieve their professional dreams. I believe in giving feedback in a thoughtful, empathic, and relational way. In addition to being a consultant for The Gottman Institute, I am an approved Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Trainer, and an Art & Science of Love Workshop Leader. I also do Marathon therapy with couples. Donald (Don) Cole, D.Min., LPC-S, LMFT-S (Houston, TX) Bringing help to couples has been a long standing goal for my work, but until I learned and began to use the Gottman Method I found myself frustrated more often than not. The research based theory and techniques give me a sense of confidence even when dealing with highly conflicted or emotionally distant couples. I have also been personally enriched by my ongoing partici- pation with The Gottman Institute. I am a frequent rover at Art & Science of Love workshops in Seattle and also present that workshop to couples here in Texas. I am a Trainer in the Gottman Method and have had the privilege of helping other therapists learn the theories and techniques from which I have benefit- ted so much. My experience with my consultant was warm, accepting and challenging and was an essential part of my being truly able to integrate and use the Gottman Method. As a consultant I seek to bring that same helpful approach to others. Copyright © 2000–2014 by Dr. John M. Gottman and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman. Distributed under license by The Gottman Institute, Inc. John ( Jack) Crossen, Ph.D. (Portland, OR) During more than 30 years in private practice and on faculty at Oregon Health & Science University, I have become very familiar with the problems faced by couples involved in health care, biomedical research, engineering and teaching. My background in clinical psychology is grounded in research- based clinical practice best defined by term “third-wave” of cognitive-behav- ioral therapy, which emphasizes the understanding the context of problems and approaching them nonjudgmentally. This is also essential in Gottman Method Couples Therapy to help couples with emotional regulation, mean- ingful goal setting and developing confidence in working together when stuck or surprised by relationship difficulties. It has been a great joy to find rich opportunities to integrate this approach with other models of therapeutic change guided by a gentle and humanistic touch. What has been most gratifying to me about working with colleagues using Gottman Method Couples Therapy is developing relationships with like- minded clinicians committed not only to the well-being of their clientele, but also to nurturing supportive relationships with each other as profession- als. This sense of community has deepened since I began taking workshops at the Gottman Institute became certified in 2008 to offer couples therapy, and soon after that to offer Art and Science of Love workshops and Seven Principles workshops. I have found the principles and applications of Sound Relationship House theory to be robust and flexible. Also, during my training experiences through The Gottman Institute, I have consistently encountered sensitivity, safety and acceptance in the experience of developing not only specific professional skills, but also in growing as a clinician. My commitment is to model and share these same kinds experiences from an interdisciplinary perspective with others undertaking the rewarding challenges of attaining and expanding proficiency in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Mike Fidler, MSW, RSW (Simcoe, ON) I’m a clinical social worker with more than 30 years’ experience helping couples repair relationship and deepen their love. In my undergraduate I was well trained in emotionally focused client centered interviewing and was also drawn to systems theory focusing on interactional interventions. In my graduate year I was trained by some of the best in structural and strategic family therapy.
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