Before Dr. John Gottman’s initial studies, few researchers studied relationships, as many in the psychology field felt results would be unreliable since individuals and couples have vastly different personalities and actions.

However, results from his systematic study proved that couples did behave with tremendous regularity over time and science could, indeed, identify sequences of interactions among sets of happy and unhappy couples.

In the 1970s, Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Robert Levenson were part of a pioneering group of researchers who applied the scientific method to identify behavior patterns of couples in healthy, successful relationships.

Dr. Gottman continued to study relationships. He and his wife, Dr. Julie Gottman, applied the research into a therapeutic approach for couples counseling.

Dr. John Gottman’s research on couples relationships has influenced child development approaches, parent-child relationship theories, emotion IQ concepts, and leadership programs developed by entities outside of The Gottman Institute.

The research has also led to other scientists undertaking novel research projects studying relationships.

To become certified, a counselor must undergo 3 levels of training followed by a 2-year period of practice under the guidance of a Gottman consultant.