How is safety planning incorporated into Gottman therapy for couples at risk?

• A. Establish boundaries; safety guidelines; ground rules for sessions; exit strategies; contact with authorities if needed.
• B. Safety planning is optional and not integrated.
• C. Safety planning focuses only on individual therapy.
• D. Safety planning uses a punitive approach.

Answer: (A)

Safety planning in Gottman therapy for couples at risk centers on creating a concrete, collaborative framework that keeps everyone safe while the work continues. It involves establishing clear boundaries and safety guidelines for how partners interact within sessions and in everyday life, so interactions don’t escalate into harm. Ground rules help structure conversations—what is acceptable to say, how to request a break, and how to handle heated moments—so the environment remains controllable and safe. Exit strategies are essential, giving either partner a clear, practiced way to pause or leave a session or situation if tensions spike, preventing violence or fear from escalating. Including contact with authorities or other supports when needed ensures there is a real plan for immediate safety beyond the therapy room. This approach is aligned with ethical practice and with Gottman’s emphasis on creating a safe foundation from which couples can work on repair, communication, and relationship skills without risking safety.

The other options overlook these essential safety components. Safety planning is not optional in high-risk contexts, nor is it limited to individual therapy or framed as punitive. Rather, it is a coordinated, protective process designed to support both partners and foster a space where therapeutic work can proceed safely.