Drs. John and Julie Gottman
In response to the needs of couples 14 years ago, we created couples workshops that integrated John's scientific findings with storytelling, role-playing, teaching and exercises to help sustain couples' relationships.
A Private Couples' Retreat on Orcas Island
For the first time, we invite you to a very special 2-day private retreat in our home on lovely Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands in Washington. Seated before a stone fireplace and next to the serene sea of Puget Sound...
Scientific Basis
Our couples' retreat is based on 36 years of consistent programmatic research on relationships. We have studied couples at every point in the life cycle, from newlyweds to octogenarians.
Orcas Island Vacation Opportunities
Our experienced and knowledgeable event planner, Veronica San Martin, can help you to plan the details of your visit to Orcas Island, including lodging, travel on the island, dining, and recreational opportunities.
Private Marathon Couples' Therapy
We are now offering Marathon Couples' Therapy at our home on Orcas Island, with either one of us or with both of us together. Because of our remote location, this treatment serves the needs of those clients who desire complete privacy.
In the comfort of the Gottmans' own island home, learn research-based tools for building and maintaining relationship intimacy.
Have you ever planned a wonderful romantic vacation, complete with a lovely room, candle-lit dinners, and white sand beaches, only to have your dream become a nightmare when tense quarrels and silence spoil the sunset? We have been listening to painful stories like these for nearly 35 years.
Now you can restore your relationship while having a world-class romantic holiday. In an exclusive, small group two-day couples retreat (there will be no more than 6 couples in each retreat), we offer you research-based skills for deepening intimacy, managing conflicts, and enhancing your sense of shared meaning in a private, comfortable, and beautiful setting.
Upcoming Couples' Retreats
Private couples' retreats with John Gottman, Ph.D. and Julie Schwartz Gottman, Ph.D. on Orcas Island, Washington.
January 25-26
April 12-13
August 2-3
September 20-21
November 15-16
Relationship Self-Tests
Learn more about your relationship and yourself!
Find out how well you know your partner, current strengths in your relationship and how you handle disagreements with our Relationship Quiz.
Marathon Couples' Therapy
Drs. John and Julie Gottman are now scheduling appointments for Marathon
Therapy at their home office on Orcas Island. Marathon Therapy was
developed at the Gottman Institute. In this powerful new therapy format, one
couple meets with either Dr. John Gottman, Dr. Julie Gottman, or both
doctors together for 5 hours a day and for 2-4 consecutive days while
staying overnight at a nearby Hotel or Bed and Breakfast Inn.
Marathon Therapy can thus accommodate clients traveling from other locales who cannot
attend weekly therapy sessions. It provides an intensive, condensed and
highly focused approach to relationship issues that can help couples move
quickly through specific issues and learn important new skills in a short
period of time. To learn more or to schedule an appointment for Marathon
Therapy, please call (206) 313-0471 for Dr. John Gottman or (206) 381-8456 for Kathryn Schwartz, assistant to Dr. Julie Gottman.