6 Best San Francisco Gottman Couples Therapists
When constant arguments leave you feeling exhausted, communication breakdowns make you feel unheard, and emotional distance has replaced the intimacy you once shared, it's natural to wonder if your relationship can heal. At California Couples Counseling, our Gottman-trained therapists specialize in helping San Francisco couples rebuild trust, strengthen communication, and reconnect with the partnership you both deserve. Contact us today to get started.
How Gottman Method couples therapy can help
The Gottman Method is a research-based approach proven to help couples create lasting change in their relationships. Rather than just talking about problems, this structured framework gives you practical tools to transform how you connect.
Our Gottman-trained therapists can help you:
Improve communication and learn to express needs without criticism or defensiveness
Rebuild trust after betrayal, infidelity, or broken promises
Manage conflict productively instead of falling into destructive patterns
Deepen intimacy and emotional connection with your partner
Strengthen friendship and rediscover what brought you together
At California Couples Counseling, every therapist on our team has specialized training in the Gottman Method, ensuring you receive evidence-based care tailored to your relationship's unique needs. We're committed to helping you move from conflict to connection.
Meet our Gottman-trained therapists
Here, we’ve highlighted just a few of our Gottman couples therapists. Meet the rest of our team here.
Daniel Moultrie, LMFT
Daniel is the founder of California Couples Counseling with advanced training in the Gottman Method and over a decade of clinical experience. He specializes in helping busy professionals rebuild trust, improve communication, and strengthen emotional connection, with a particular focus on supporting men's mental health and modern relationships.
Trained in the Gottman Method ✓
Credentials: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Location: San Francisco, CA
Virtual therapy: Yes
Tammie Makely, LMFT
Tammie brings a down-to-earth, calming presence to her work with couples, specializing in affair recovery and infidelity using the Gottman Method. As a Certified Anger Management Specialist and EMDR-trained therapist, she helps partners navigate the complexities of betrayal, transform conflict patterns, and rebuild their relationship on a foundation of trust.
Trained in the Gottman Method ✓
Credentials: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Anger Management Specialist
Location: San Francisco, CA
Virtual therapy: Yes
Diana Barrera, LCSW
With 30 years of experience in mental health, Diana is a bilingual (English- and Spanish-speaking) therapist who has dedicated her career to helping couples slow down destructive patterns, listen to understand, and practice new ways of communicating. Her compassionate, steady presence helps partners accept themselves and one another while rebuilding their relationship with clarity and care.
Trained in the Gottman Method ✓
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Location: San Francisco, CA
Virtual therapy: Yes
Carolina Cervantes, LMFT
Carolina specializes in helping couples strengthen their relationships, resolve conflict, and build lasting intimacy using the Gottman Method. She incorporates a person-centered approach with mindfulness techniques, creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you can unpack your challenges and work toward growth.
Trained in the Gottman Method ✓
Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Location: San Francisco, CA
Virtual therapy: Yes
Christopher Kelm, LMFT
Christopher specializes in infidelity and affair recovery, helping couples navigate the complexities of rebuilding trust after betrayal. With a commitment to staying up-to-date on the latest evidence-based counseling techniques, he creates a compassionate, safe environment where partners can explore their feelings, understand each other's perspectives, and work collaboratively toward healing and a stronger relationship.
Trained in the Gottman Method ✓
Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Location: San Francisco, CA
Virtual therapy: Yes
Mandy Greaves, PhD, LMFT
Dr. Mandy Greaves brings years of specialized experience in marriage counseling and couples therapy, along with her expertise as an assistant professor and program coordinator for a Master's program in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling. She provides empathic support and effective strategies tailored to each couple's unique needs, integrating various methods to foster deeper connections and mutual respect among partners.
Trained in the Gottman Method ✓
Credentials: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD in Clinical Psychology
Location: San Francisco, CA
Virtual therapy: Yes
What to expect in Gottman couples counseling
Assessment phase
Your therapist will conduct a thorough assessment to understand your relationship's strengths, challenges, and goals. This may include individual sessions and questionnaires to create a personalized treatment plan.
Building friendship & intimacy
You'll learn to strengthen the foundation of your relationship by deepening your knowledge of one another, expressing appreciation, and turning toward each other in everyday moments instead of away.
Managing conflict
Your therapist will teach you how to discuss problems without the "Four Horsemen"—criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling—and help you develop healthy conflict resolution skills that bring you closer together.
Creating shared meaning
You'll explore your shared values, dreams, and goals as a couple, building a life together that honors both partners' needs and creates a sense of purpose in your relationship.
FAQs about Gottman method couples therapy
-
Gottman Method couples therapy can be beneficial for many relationships, but it's particularly helpful if you're experiencing certain patterns. You might benefit from this approach if you:
Find yourselves stuck in the same arguments without resolution
Feel emotionally disconnected or like roommates rather than partners
Struggle with trust issues following betrayal or infidelity
Want to prevent problems before they become overwhelming
Are considering separation but want to try one more approach
If these signs resonate with you, Gottman couples therapy offers structured, proven tools to help you reconnect and create lasting change in your relationship.
-
The Gottman Method is based on over 40 years of research with thousands of couples. Unlike general talk therapy, it provides a structured, evidence-based framework with specific assessments, practical exercises, and proven interventions designed to target the exact areas where couples struggle most.
-
California Couples Counseling offers several advantages that set us apart from other San Francisco couples therapists:
Gottman specialization: Every therapist on our team is trained in the Gottman Method
Virtual convenience: Access therapy from anywhere in California with flexible scheduling
Experienced team: Licensed therapists with diverse specialties and backgrounds
Evidence-based approach: Research-backed methods proven to create lasting change
Compassionate care: A non-judgmental, supportive environment where both partners feel heard
If this resonates with you, we’d be happy to support you. Contact us to begin with a free consultation.