Gottman Method – Marital Assessment and Therapy Strategies Practice Test

Safety is the guiding principle when applying the Gottman Method with couples. If there’s any risk of domestic violence, bringing both partners into joint sessions can jeopardize someone’s safety, so the focus must shift to protection and risk reduction. This means creating and implementing a safety plan, using individual sessions and referrals as needed, and following mandatory reporting rules if they apply in your jurisdiction. This approach lets you apply evidence-based strategies in a way that centers the well-being of each person, without exposing them to harm. When risk is absent or adequately managed, standard joint work can proceed, but safety planning remains a foundational requirement.