The John Gottman 7 Principles of Marriage – Improve Your Relationship in Canberra
At Motion Wellness in Lyneham, Canberra, we use evidence-based approaches to help couples strengthen their relationships. One of the most respected methods for improving marriages is the John Gottman 7 Principles of Marriage. These principles are at the heart of the Gottman Method counselling, which helps couples build lasting connections, resolve conflict, and handle arguing in a healthy way.
Whether you’re experiencing relationship problems, frequent arguing, or simply want to strengthen your partnership, understanding and applying these principles can make a meaningful difference.
1. Build Love Maps
The first principle encourages couples to know each other deeply. Understanding your partner’s world, their likes, dislikes, fears, and dreams—helps reduce misunderstandings and unnecessary arguing. Couples who practice relationship counselling Canberra often discover that sharing details about daily life strengthens connection and emotional intimacy.
2. Nurture Fondness and Admiration
Focusing on what you respect and appreciate about your partner creates a positive foundation. Celebrating strengths, expressing gratitude, and noticing positive qualities reduces negativity and helps prevent frequent arguing.
3. Turn Towards Each Other Instead of Away
Small, everyday interactions—like checking in or listening attentively—enhance closeness and reduce frustration that can lead to arguing. Couples who consistently engage in these gestures build resilience and stronger bonds.
4. Let Your Partner Influence You
Mutual respect and consideration are key. The Gottman method emphasises sharing power, compromising, and valuing your partner’s opinions. Couples in marriage counselling Canberra often learn that healthy influence reduces conflict and arguing while increasing trust.
5. Solve Solvable Problems
Not all conflicts can be eliminated, but many issues are manageable with practical solutions. Couples counselling Canberra teaches skills for negotiation, compromise, and problem-solving, helping partners address disagreements constructively rather than through endless arguing.
6. Overcome Gridlock
For persistent conflicts rooted in core differences, the focus shifts to understanding underlying dreams and values. Couples learn to soften positions, find empathy, and create solutions that honor both partners’ needs, reducing the intensity of arguing over long-standing issues.
7. Create Shared Meaning
Strong relationships thrive when couples share rituals, goals, and values. Building a sense of shared purpose strengthens connection, promotes intimacy, and provides a framework for long-term happiness.
How Gottman Method Counselling Can Help
Applying the John Gottman 7 Principles isn’t always easy on your own. Gottman Method counselling Canberra at Motion Wellness provides guidance, tools, and support to help couples integrate these principles into daily life and manage arguing more effectively.
Through structured sessions, our counsellors help couples:
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Improve communication and reduce relationship problems
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Strengthen emotional intimacy and connection
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Navigate conflict and disagreements effectively
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Build a foundation for long-lasting satisfaction and resilience
Take the First Step Towards a Stronger Marriage
If you’re searching for marriage counselling Canberra, relationship counselling Canberra, or couples counselling Canberra, Motion Wellness can help. Book an appointment today to explore the Gottman Method and learn how the 7 principles can transform your relationship and reduce unproductive arguing.