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 THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES FOR MAKING MARRIAGE WORK is by John M. Gottman, Ph.D. and Nan Silver. John Gottman revolutionized the study of marriage by using rigorous scientific procedures to observe the habits of married couples in unprecedented detail over many years. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work book summarizes this research and guides couples on the path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship. Packed with practical questionnaires and exercises, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work is the definitive guide for anyone who wants their relationship to attain its highest potential. It aids couples in deepening the friendship foundation of their relationship, managing conflict successfully, honoring each other’s dreams, and creating shared meaning. 

Steffanne Ferris is a trained Gottman Couples Therapist with over 30 years of personal marital experience, giving her a deep, personal understanding of the challenges and joys that come with long-term relationships. She has studied the Gottman Method extensively and has also applied its principles in her own marriage, witnessing firsthand the positive impact they can have. Steffanne is passionate about helping couples build stronger, healthier connections and is dedicated to supporting those who are committed to growing together and improving their relationships. 

No.  The class does not include sharing problems or issues publicly. Couples Exercises are done privately. 

Yes.  It is difficult to work on a relationship if both partners are not learning and practicing the tools/techniques together.   

 Yes, still come to the class. While the book provides very valuable information, the class lectures will summarize the content of the book. Each person will need a Couples Guide, however, to do the Couples Exercises efficiently.

 No. As part of the course the book and couples' workbooks will be included. 

The Seven Principles Couples Program is appropriate for couples contemplating engagement, for pre-marital couples, for couples living together, and for couples who have been together or married for decades. 

Psycho-educational classes are not appropriate for all couples, including those with severe 

relationship distress, significant emotional or physical abuse, serious emotional or mental health problems, relationships where one or both partners are actively addicted to drugs or alcohol, and relationships with serious compulsive behavior with gambling, sexual acting out, and other disruptive behaviors. 

There are many benefits of offering The Seven Principles Couples Program. These include:

1. It provides structure, motivation, and accountability to continue working through the book. With busy schedules, it is easy to let reading the book and working through exercises slide, while a class format encourages more active involvement and ongoing participation by following a schedule.

2. It can be encouraging to work on one’s relationship in the context of other couples that are doing the same thing.

3. It may be less threatening than seeking couples therapy and fits into an enrichment model that couples may be familiar with. While The Seven Principles Couples Program is not a substitute for therapy, it can soften the entry into working on their relationship and getting help without the stigma that some still have toward seeking therapy. It can also become a bridge into therapy for those couples that desire more personal assistance than the class can provide. Reading the book and working through the exercises can provide a strong foundation for pursuing therapy from the Gottman perspective, as the basic concepts and methods are already familiar to the couple and have been tried and tested, which may enhance and expedite a therapeutic process later.

4. Signing up for a class on marriage and relationships also eliminates some of the uncertainty and hesitation some couples have about working on their relationship on their own, or about seeking therapy because there are often no clearly defined goals, expectations, structure, or duration. In contrast, a class format does have clearly articulated goals, expectations, and time frame.

5. A class format encourages both partners to work on their relationship rather than one partner alone reading the book without the other partner’s participation.

6. The Seven Principles Couples Program provides a great opportunity for pre-marital couples to learn skills that can enrich their relationship through a lifetime together.