Beyond RC Checkup, how is progress measured in Gottman therapy?

• A. Through observation of changes in behavior during sessions (less Four Horsemen, more bids toward, more repair attempts, increased positivity) and repeated measures
• B. Only client questionnaires
• C. By predicting the future
• D. Therapist perception alone

Answer: (A)

Progress in Gottman therapy beyond the RC Checkup is shown by real, observable changes in how the couple interacts during sessions, tracked over time. Therapists look for fewer avoidance and destructive patterns (the Four Horsemen) and more constructive, positive exchanges—more bids being acknowledged, more repair attempts when tension rises, and an overall rise in positive, affirming communication. These shifts are monitored across multiple sessions, using repeated measures to establish a reliable trajectory of improvement. This approach goes beyond questionnaires or a single impression, grounding progress in concrete behavioral changes and their consistency over time.