There are two main approaches to marital therapy: (1) communication and skills oriented approaches (the most popular currently is the Gottman approach); and (2) emotion and relational approaches (the most popular today is Sue Johnson’s approach). Thirty years ago these two approaches were much more distinctive, while today they share a lot of overlap. I don’t really view them as distinct. The ultimate goal is the same: improve a couple’s capacity for intimacy and for conflict resolution. Both of these goals are met through a combination of helping couples communicate more effectively (approach 1) and simultaneously helping couples to open up to one another and feel safe enough to share vulnerable feelings, to communicate their needs, and to build deeper understanding.
