Gottman Level 1 Training – Live Mentorship Format
Get confident with even your toughest couples, without freezing, guessing, or dreading the next session.
This Mentorship™ version includes 11 CE hours, and 3 live Roundtable™ sessions to help you integrate the work with real couples, and start seeing progress in session.
👋 Finally... Gottman Level 1, Taught in a Way You’ll Actually Use
If you’ve ever sat across from a couple thinking,
“They can call each other names at home; why are they doing this here?”
...you’re not alone.
I’ve been there too.
Back in 2007, I was doing my best in couples sessions, but I was completely unprepared for what I now call “mixed-agenda therapy.” One partner checked out; the other begged to fix it. One blaming, the other freezing. Tools? They wanted them yesterday. My training hadn’t prepared me. Supervision hadn’t prepared me.
Then one day, my husband brought home an article written by someone named John Gottman.
I set it aside at first. But after yet another session where a couple verbally tore each other apart in my office, I knew I needed a better framework.
I turned to that article. And I didn’t stop there.
I completed Level 1, then Level 2, and eventually became a Certified Gottman Therapist. That’s when everything shifted. My sessions started going better. My couples started improving. I finally had structure. One that worked across the board and especially with LGBTQ+ couples.
Since then, I’ve taught over 1,000 clinicians, launched an institute that’s published peer-reviewed outcomes with John and Julie Gottman as co-authors, and co-created a mentorship pathway designed to help clinicians become not just trained, but trusted and confident with couples therapy.
🧭 How This Version of Level 1 Is Different
We created this mentorship-based, virtual version of Gottman Level 1 because it’s what we wish existed back then. Instead of two days of lecture and hoping something sticks, you get:
Lifetime access to the official Gottman Level 1 video training (11 CEUs) taught by John and Julie Gottman, Sam Garanzini, and Alapaki Yee
3 live small group Roundtable™ sessions to apply the material to real couples and get clinical feedback in a small group setting
A clear session structure you can use immediately, including scripts, case planning tools, and onboarding strategies for high-investment clients
3 powerful bonuses to help you implement faster, attract ideal couples, and build your reputation with confidence
A supportive peer community and mentorship experience designed to help you integrate, not just consume, the material
Whether you’re new to couples therapy or just tired of winging it with intense sessions, this is your on-ramp to being confident, calm, and effective.
It’s not just a certificate. It’s the foundation for becoming the couples therapist your clients remember.
I’d love to work with you this year, especially while this mentorship format is still available.
— Sam Garanzini, MFT, LPCC Certified Gottman Therapist and Instructor Co-founder, Couples Therapy Training Academy & Practice Magnet Program
🔧 How It Works
This isn’t just training—it’s a mentorship built to make you confident, credible, and in-demand.
The Gottman Level 1 Mentorship Program combines everything you wish your grad school or past trainings had given you:
✅ Monthly Live Roundtable™ Case Consults (3 Included)
Bring your real couples therapy questions into small-group sessions led by certified trainers. You’ll get answers, structure, and next steps you can use immediately. These are the clinical discussions missing from standard training, and they’re the heart of this program.
🎓 Self-Paced, On-Demand Gottman Level 1 Training (11 CEUs)
Watch the official Level 1 videos taught by Sam Garanzini, Alapaki Yee, and John & Julie Gottman—on your own schedule. Pause, rewatch, and revisit any time.
🧠 Blended Learning That Sticks
Studies show that 50% of what you learn in a traditional training is forgotten by the time you walk out the door on the last day of class. This model is designed differently, so you can actually implement the material with real couples.
📚 Bonus Resource Library + Downloadables
Get first-session scripts, client-facing explanations, session blueprints, marketing guides, and frameworks we’ve tested with over 4,000 couples. These aren't theories; they’re tools.
🧭 Designed to Get You Unstuck
Whether you’re new to couples therapy or looking to stop dreading those high-conflict sessions, this mentorship is your reset button. Learn the Gottman Method in a way that’s actually usable—with clinical support, not just PowerPoints.
📘 What You’ll Learn Inside the Level 1 Mentorship™
This isn’t just about earning CEUs—it’s about getting confident in the room with real couples.
Here’s what you’ll walk away with:
🧩 A Proven Framework to Guide Your Sessions
You’ll learn how to structure the first three sessions with any couple using research-backed tools from 40+ years of Gottman Method data. No more guessing, circling, or hoping something lands.
🔍 Assessment Skills You Can Actually Use
Learn how to conduct an Oral History Interview that uncovers the heart of the couple’s dynamic—without getting lost or overwhelmed. You’ll also get the full assessment system used by Certified Gottman Therapists.
💬 How to Handle the Big Stuff in Real Time
What to say when one partner is ready to work and the other isn’t
What to do when a session starts to spiral
How to calm a flooded client
How to respond when they say, “We just need tools”
How to introduce and structure the 1:1 interviews, and know what to say when they drop a bomb (like an affair)
🛠 Interventions for the Three Most Critical Areas
You'll walk away knowing how to guide couples through:
– Conflict management (Four Horsemen Antidotes, Dreams Within Conflict, Aftermath of a Fight, Compromise Circles)
– Building friendship and intimacy (Love Maps, Shared Fondness, 15-Minute Daily Conversation, Turning Towards)
– Creating shared meaning and long-term vision (Setting New Goals, Creating Rituals)
These aren’t “nice ideas”—they’re mapped out with demos, worksheets, and clinical context. Plus, you'll watch videos of Julie performing these interventions with Paul & Shantell, a real couple volunteering to be filmed in Seattle, showing their authentic issues on camera for your training benefit.
🌍 Credibility + Confidence
Upon completion, you’ll receive:
11 CE hours through the Gottman Institute (see FAQ's for details)
A certificate of completion
Immediate confidence and a reliable structure for your next session.
Whether you’re new to couples therapy or just tired of winging it with intense sessions, this is your on-ramp to being confident, calm, and effective.
It’s not just a certificate. It’s the foundation for becoming the couples therapist your clients remember.
I’d love to work with you this year—especially while this mentorship format is still available.
— Sam Garanzini, MFT, LPCC Certified Gottman Therapist and Instructor Co-founder, Couples Therapy Training Academy & Practice Magnet Program
📘 What You’ll Learn Inside the Level 1 Mentorship
This isn’t just about earning CEUs—it’s about getting confident in the room with real couples.
Here’s what you’ll walk away with:
🧩 A Proven Framework to Guide Your Sessions
You’ll learn how to structure the first three sessions with any couple using research-backed tools from 40+ years of Gottman Method data. No more guessing, circling, or hoping something lands.
🔍 Assessment Skills You Can Actually Use
Learn how to conduct an Oral History Interview that uncovers the heart of the couple’s dynamic—without getting lost or overwhelmed. You’ll also get the full assessment system used by Certified Gottman Therapists.
💬 How to Handle the Big Stuff in Real Time
What to say when one partner is ready to work and the other isn’t
What to do when a session starts to spiral
How to calm a flooded client
How to respond when they say, “We just need tools”
How to introduce and structure the 1:1 interviews—and know what to say when they drop a bomb (like an affair)
🛠 Interventions for the Three Most Critical Areas
You'll walk away knowing how to guide couples through:
– Conflict management (Four Horsemen Antidotes, Dreams Within Conflict, Aftermath of a Fight, Compromise Circles)
– Building friendship and intimacy (Love Maps, Shared Fondness, 15-Minute Daily Conversation, Turning Towards)
– Creating shared meaning and long-term vision (Setting New Goals, Creating Rituals)
These aren’t “nice ideas”—they’re mapped out with demos, worksheets, and clinical context. Plus, you'll watch videos of Julie performing these interventions with Paul & Shantell, a real couple volunteering to be filmed in Seattle, showing their authentic issues on camera for your training benefit.
🌍 Credibility + Confidence
Upon completion, you’ll receive:
11 CE hours through the Gottman Institute (see FAQ's for details)
A certificate of completion
Immediate confidence and a reliable structure for your next session.
Whether you’re new to couples therapy or just tired of winging it with intense sessions, this is your on-ramp to being confident, calm, and effective.
It’s not just a certificate. It’s the foundation for becoming the couples therapist your clients remember.
I’d love to work with you this year—especially while this mentorship format is still available.
— Sam Garanzini, MFT, LPCC Certified Gottman Therapist and Instructor Co-founder, Couples Therapy Training Academy & Practice Magnet Program
🎁 Enroll Now and Get These
3 Powerful Bonuses
(Total Value: $500, ALL INCLUDED)
✅ BONUS #1
3 Live Monthly Roundtable Sessions™ (Value: $300)
“Don’t just learn it—use it.” Most students forget at least 50% of the material as soon as they leave a live classroom-style training, no matter how well it was taught. To overcome this, you can now join 3 live monthly "Roundtable Sessions™" where we help you apply the Level 1 tools to real cases. You'll bring your questions, clinical dilemmas, or tough couple dynamics—and we'll walk through them together.
Led by Sam and the training team, these sessions help you turn theory into traction and build confidence fast. Don't just let your manual sit on the shelf; join us to actually apply the material and see a return on your investment.
✅ BONUS #2
First Session Blueprint Scripts (Value: $100)
“Start strong and stay on track.” Get the exact first-session structure Sam uses with new couples—developed from over 4,000 cases at our Institute since 2007.This pack includes:
– The 4 questions to ask when a couple first sits down
– A simplified version of the Oral History Interview that won’t derail you – How to pivot into the conflict discussion (and back out)
– A script for explaining the full process ahead (including 1:1s and the treatment plan)
– Guidance on how to discuss fees with self-pay clients investing in real outcomes
No more highlighted sections and flipping pages in your manual when you're trying to apply it live. Read through the script, and experience your session #1 flowing as it should. Stop the guesswork, and just follow what works.
✅ BONUS #3
Referrals to Results Mini-Course (Value: $100)
“Fill your practice with the couples you’re meant to help.” Learn how to build a referral and marketing system that works—even if you’re not a marketer. This self-paced course shows you how to:
– Clarify your niche in a way that attracts the right clients...
– Use Reddit to generate authentic, easy to write, high-converting copy...
– Build a simple application funnel that filters for self-pay, committed couples
If you get stuck, you’ll also get brief 1:1 support to help apply what you learn.
Faculty
Sam Garanzini, LMFT, LPCC
Sam Garanzini is a Certified Gottman Therapist and national Gottman Level 1 & 2 Instructor who has trained over 1,000 clinicians in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. He is the Co-Founder of the Couples Therapy Training Academy and the Gay Couples Institute, where he has led intensive therapy programs for over 4,000 couples since 2007.
Sam is also the co-author of a peer-reviewed study with Dr. John Gottman on outcomes for same-sex couples using the Gottman Method—the first published research of its kind. His teaching blends research-backed structure with real-world application, helping therapists become not just competent, but confident in couples work. Sam has served as an adjunct professor in psychopharmacology, and become a recognized specialist in the creation of thriving couples therapy practices after becoming endorsed and certified in two different marketing methods and creating the Practice Magnet Program & Software. Sam regularly still presents at national therapy and marketing conferences, and is currently working on his first book for therapists seeking to develop their couples therapy business and marketing skills using the Practice Magnet framework.
Alapaki Yee, LMFT
Alapaki Yee is a Certified Gottman Therapist, trainer, and co-founder of the Gay Couples Institute. With over 15 years of experience working with LGBTQ+ couples, Alapaki brings a grounded, systems-based perspective to couples work that integrates Gottman Method tools with deep cultural sensitivity.
He leads Gottman-based retreats, intensives, and mentorship™ sessions for clinicians seeking real-time feedback and practical guidance. Alapaki’s clinical voice is known for its clarity, warmth, and direct application to what therapists actually face in the room. He’s also a trusted educator and has supported hundreds of clinicians in mastering the Gottman approach in both private practice and community clinic settings. Most recently, Alapaki authored a chapter in the new Marriage Clinic Casebook, revealing how to apply the Gottman Method to a case of queer, nonmonogamous couples struggling with disengagement and affairs. Alapaki presented the chapter at the latest Gottman conference in Seattle, WA.
Frequently Asked Questions
🧠 How the Program Works
How does the training actually work?
You’ll get access to the official Gottman Level 1 video training (11 CEUs) to watch at your own pace, plus three, monthly 60-minute Roundtable™ mentorship sessions to apply what you’re learning. The format is fully virtual.
You’ll also get access to Sam’s private video library from his live Level 1 workshops, which he’s taught nearly 200 times. This means you’re not just watching the standard Gottman training; you’re also getting expert insight into what really matters, what most people miss, and how to make the material stick from a certified trainer who’s walked hundreds of therapists through it.
When, where, and how long are the Roundtable™ meetings?
Roundtables are typically held Tuesdays at 2pm and Fridays at 10am (Pacific Time). Each session is 60 minutes and capped at five participants to keep things focused. You must register 24 hours in advance. Due to varying availability and schedule changes, we ask you to use your three meetings within six months of purchase.
How do the Roundtable™ meetings work?
These are interactive, small-group sessions designed to help you apply Gottman tools to your real cases. You can bring active cases, questions, or stuck points. You’re encouraged to attend monthly and build momentum.
Can I just do the Roundtable™ meetings?
Yes. Some experienced therapists opt into the Roundtables only for 3 months of weekly consultation. If that’s your path, you can get access here.
Is there a time requirement to complete the program?
The videos are available indefinitely, but we recommend using your Roundtable™ sessions within 3 months to make the most of the mentorship model.
How do I access the course after purchase?
Log in at couplestherapytraining.org using the email you purchased with. Reset your password if needed. Your courses will appear under “My Account.”
🎓 CEUs, Certification, and Long-Term Access
Is this program approved for CE credit?
Yes. The course provides 11 CE credits via the Cognitive Behavior Institute, approved by the APA. To earn CEUs, pass the included quiz with 80% or higher, then follow the instructions at cbicenterforeducation.com to purchase your CE certificate ($40).
Will I receive a certificate of completion?
Yes, you'll receive a certificate from The Gottman Institute upon passing the quiz.
Can this lead to Gottman Certification?
Yes. Completing this Level 1 training (and later, Level 2) counts toward Gottman Certification. You’ll also need to complete a short post-test and follow the Gottman Institute’s process. If you want to bundle Level 1 and Level 2 together (at a HUGE discount), grab our Mentorship, which also upgrades you to 3 months of weekly consultation, not just 3 meetings.
How long do I have access to the materials?
You’ll have lifetime access to the video content, slides, and resources for as long as they’re hosted on our platform. Roundtable access expires after your 3-month mentorship period (unless prior arrangements are made).
🙋 Who This Is For (And Not For)
Is this for experienced therapists, or for those unfamiliar with couples?
Several hundred clinicians later, we've seen seasoned therapists with 20+ years of experience simply wanting an exciting refresher to their work, as well as those new to couples therapy, sometimes having their first session later that same day!
Is this LGBTQ+ inclusive?
Yes. We specialize in working with same-sex couples (4000+ as of 2025) and have published research with John and Julie Gottman on LGBTQ+ outcomes, as well as a book chapter in the Marriage Clinic Casebook. This program welcomes all couples-focused clinicians.
Do I need any prerequisites?
No. There are no prerequisites for Level 1. It’s ideal for therapists, coaches, clergy, students, and anyone doing relational work.
🧭 Logistics, Discounts, and Upgrades
Is this program virtual?
Yes. All training videos and Roundtable meetings are conducted online via Zoom.
Is there a discount for grad students or pre-licensed therapists?
Yes. Verified grad students and pre-licensed clinicians receive a $50 refund after enrollment by showing proof of status.
Can I use this training as part of your Practice Magnet or Mastermind program?
Absolutely. Many clinicians use this as their entry point. Mastermind members receive advanced coaching to grow their practice, increase referrals, and attract private-pay clients. You can get on the waitlist here or book a consultation to learn more about the larger program.
Is there a deadline to register? What if I’m unsure?
Due to limited Roundtable availability, we open registration in cohorts. Check the site for the current window. If you’re not satisfied within the first 14 days, email us for a full refund—no questions asked.
🎁 Want to bundle Level 1 and Level 2, PLUS get weekly consultation?
If you already know you want to go deeper… We’ve created a 3-Month Mentorship™ Program that bundles:
Gottman Level 1
Gottman Level 2
Weekly live consultation for 3 full months
Access to our full Advanced Couples Therapy Library
And exclusive marketing and scripting tools not available anywhere else
All for 91% off the regular cost.
This is our flagship training pathway, perfect for clinicians who want clinical mastery and a standout practice.
👇 Learn more here.
🎁 Want to Bundle Level 1 and Level 2—PLUS Get Weekly Consultation?
If you already know you want to go deeper… We’ve created a 3-Month Mentorship Program that bundles:
Gottman Level 1
Gottman Level 2
Weekly live consultation for 3 full months
Access to our full Advanced Couples Therapy Library
And exclusive marketing and scripting tools not available anywhere else
All for 91% off the regular cost.
This is our flagship training pathway—perfect for clinicians who want clinical mastery and a standout practice.
👇 Learn more here.
✅ Ready to Finally Feel Confident With Couples?
If you’re tired of winging it in sessions, tired of cramming from a manual minutes before a couple walks in, then this is the moment to stop guessing and start feeling grounded.
This isn’t just training—it’s a mentorship. And it’s designed to help you actually use the Gottman Method, not just learn about it.
You’ll walk away with:
A clear, usable structure
Feedback and support on real couples cases
Proven tools and scripts you can bring into your next session
And momentum that builds week after week
Enrollment opens in cohorts, and spots in the Roundtable™ are capped to keep sessions personal and impactful.
When the spots fill, they’re gone.
Don’t wait until your next high-conflict couple walks in. Give yourself the foundation you’ve been wanting.
➡️ Click below to join Gottman Level 1 Live Mentorship™ now and reserve your seat.
We’ll see you inside.
— Sam & Alapaki
PS – You’ve got 14 days to try it out risk-free. If it’s not the right fit, just email us and we’ll refund you. No questions asked. Let's get started!
➡️ Click below to join Gottman Level 1 Live Mentorship™ now and reserve your seat.
We’ll see you inside.
— Sam & Alapaki
PS – You’ve got 14 days to try it out risk-free. If it’s not the right fit, just email us and we’ll refund you. No questions asked. Let's get started!