How to check a therapist's actual training in this approach

When a therapist names the Gottman Method on their profile, they are saying it is one of the approaches they use. That statement records a way of working that the therapist chose to list, not a verified qualification.

This directory is independent. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or certified by The Gottman Institute. Naming an approach on a profile is not the same as holding specific training or a credential in that approach, and this directory checks no training records for anyone listed here.

The most direct step is to ask the therapist. Reasonable clinicians expect this question and can tell you where and when they trained, how they use the method in session, and what ongoing learning or consultation they do.

Good questions you can ask by message or on a first call include: Where did you learn this approach and when? Which parts of the method do you use in a typical session? Do you consult with other clinicians about couples work? How would you work with just one partner if that is all I want? You do not need technical answers - plain language is fine.

The Gottman Institute maintains its own referral directory of people who choose to list themselves there. Searching that referral directory is a way to see who the Institute shows publicly as a contact point for people seeking that approach.

That referral directory is published by The Gottman Institute and is entirely separate from this site. If you want to see who appears there, go to The Gottman Institute’s website and look for their referral or clinician directory. Remember that appearing on their list is something managed by that organization, not by this directory.

Every therapist in this directory holds a state license and an NPI, and both are printed on the profile for you to check. A state license shows that the person is authorized by a state licensing board to practice in a particular role - for example, licensed therapist or licensed counselor. The license type tells you their professional category.

The NPI is a national provider identifier that lets you confirm the clinician’s registered information. To verify either one yourself, copy the license number from the profile and search your state licensing board’s online lookup. For the NPI, use the national NPI registry and search by the NPI number shown.

If you want more background on license categories and what they mean, see /license-types/. For help thinking through what to look for in a clinician more broadly, see /how-to-choose/. To browse other profiles, go to /therapists/.

Beyond training and listings, it helps to ask practical questions so you know what to expect. Ask about how they usually structure couples sessions, what they do when only one partner wants to come, and what kinds of issues they take to couple sessions versus individual work.

Also ask how they keep clinical notes and who can access them, what their fees and cancellation policies are, and how long a typical course of sessions feels to them. You can ask for a clear explanation of what a first session looks like. These are reasonable questions and you do not need to be shy about them.

Couples work is not appropriate where someone is frightened of their partner or where there is ongoing danger. If you feel unsafe, or if you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 right away. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

And again, this piece is not advice or diagnosis. A clinician who is actually talking with you is the person who can say what is safe and helpful for your particular situation.