This is not a counseling website and I will not be providing counseling services. I view myself as a relationship coach specializing in marriage enrichment training. What is the difference between a counselor and a coach you might ask? There are many areas of overlap so it is understandable if there is some confusion. Lynn Mitchell, a business executive who is working on a masters degree in counseling states “Currently counseling focuses on moving people from a state of dysfunction to one of being functional. But there are many people who are very functional, yet maybe not achieving their full potential. The only place they could turn to would be the self-help section of the bookstore. Coaching provides them an alternative.” Counselors will make a diagnosis based on mental disorders outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Counselors will provide a treatment plan and therapy sessions to address the dysfunctional behavior they have diagnosed. I do not attempt to provide you with a diagnosis and will not be doing therapy. Mitchell stated it well when she said “If you are ill, see a counselor. If you are focused on maximizing your emotional health see a coach.” If, at any time, I determine that there are issues that need to be addressed by a counselor, I will not hesitate to refer you to a licensed counselor. The training I provide is not based on my experience or on current or former theories of marital happiness. The training I provide is based on over 40 years of research conducted by John M. Gottman, PH.D. Dr. Gottman served as professor of psychology at the University of Washington and founder of the Seattle Marital and Family Institute. He is married to Julie Schwartz Gottman, PH. D, and together they founded the Gottman Institute. The Gottmans have, both independently and together, written many books and are considered the country’s foremost relationship experts. You may google “Gottman Institute” to learn more about their work. Based on the Gottman research, there are a number of skill-sets that couples can learn which would enrich their marital experience. I provide a non-threatening, congenial, training atmosphere that will allow couples to practice these skills.