Conversations Create Change LLC™

Talk Therapy that is….Authentic. Intentional. Meaningful.

Who is the Gottman Method Couples Therapist?

Cynthia Agyeman-Anane, LCSW, is licensed certified & clinical Social Worker, clinical (LCSW-C) and therapist in the state of Maryland DC. Cynthia received her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Toronto (Canada) and has been working in Maryland since 2009. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Maryland and DC. Cynthia has been working in the field of social work and mental health for almost 20-years. She's the Founder, Owner & CEO of Conversations Create Change LLC™.

Cynthia's clinical work has led her to her life's work: helping couples heal, repair and strengthen their relationship by utilizing the Gottman Method in her couples therapy work.

Cynthia has completed Levels 1, 2, and 3 (over 30-hrs of training) and receives frequent consultation in the Gottman Method. She also has further Gottman training in Treating Affairs and Trauma, PTSD and Couples in Addiction Recovery. Cynthia is also a Gottman 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work Certified Educator.

Gottman Method Couples Therapy

In-person or virtually catered to meet your needs

Gottman Method Couples Therapy

Gottman Method Couples Therapy is one of the most popular approaches to couples work. The reason for its popularity is that it is practical, backed by decades of research, and focuses on positivity.

Gottman Method Couples Therapy, the couple speaks directly to each other with the therapist observing, and intervening as needed to coach each person in the use of effective interaction skills.

The couple practice new skills and with the help of your therapist you will be shown how to develop new skills of interaction that have been proven to be successful for the long-term stable, happy couples.

Intimacy, connection, problem solving and happiness become achievable once a respectful tone and a safe atmosphere are created.

What is Gottman Method Couples Therapy?

Gottman Method Couples Therapy is one of the most popular approaches to couples work. The approach is practical and backed by decades of research, and focuses on communication and interpersonal skills-building. Dr. John Gottman, and his wife, Dr. Julie Gottman, both psychologists’, have been doing this work for over forty years ago based on the question: what is it that couples do who stay in relationship’s for thirty or forty years or more, and are happy and content, that couples who end up divorced or unhappy don’t do? The Gottman skills and strategies are based on relationship research and clinical expertise with diverse ethnic and socio-economic real-life couples in the Gottman Love-Lab.

What should I expect if I start couples therapy using

the Gottman Method?

The therapy begins with an assessment process. Couples will learn about the Sound Relationship House Theory so you can customize it for your relationship. A three-session method is utilized in order to get a clear picture of each of you as individuals, your relationship, what is bringing you into therapy and your strengths.

What is Gottman Method Couples Therapy Evaluation Process?

Session 1: Joint Session with Couple

This first session is an opportunity for each of you to describe what brings you into therapy and provide the therapist a history of your relationship. At the end of the session you will be given a link to a confidential HIPPA compliant website to fill out a series of questionnaires which help shine a light on each of your perceptions of your relationship and your individual histories. This session lasts approximately 1-1/2 hours.

Session 2: You and Your Partner as Individuals

This includes two individual sessions for you and your partner. This session provides the therapist an opportunity to get to know you as an individual. You will be able to discuss your background and past experiences and how it relates to your present relationship.

This session last’s approximately 50-60 minutes.

Session 3: Putting it all Together

In this third session the therapist shares with you what she has come to understand from the previous sessions. We will review the responses given to the online questionnaires. Strengths of the relationship will be discussed and challenges will be addressed. Each of you will also share how this summary matches with your own experience of your relationship. You will determine how you want to proceed. If you choose to proceed into couples counseling, goals will be discussed and a plan will be made to address the challenges in the relationship. This session last’s approximately 1-1/2 hours.

Options for doing the three-part assessment process in one day are available upon request.

Couples Intensive Workshops

“Marathon” Counseling For The Busy Couple

Couples "Marathon" Intensive Workshops

Marathon Couples Therapy is a short- term intensive therapy that aims to provide a couple with a longer period of time to address issues in the relationship than the normal 50-minute counseling session. Typically it is designed to offer a couple a half-day to multiple full days in order to address specific issues that may be keeping the relationship from thriving.

The intensive time period allows a couple to address specific issues that are damaging the relationship and give the couple the opportunity to move forward in a way that can strengthen the relationship. The Marathon Couples Counseling is designed specifically for the needs you have at the time. It has shown success in a number of different situations. Some of those include inability to engage in weekly couples sessions because of distance from the therapist or work schedules, the discovery of an affair of other crisis, or couples embroiled in conflict.

What is Marathon (Intensive) Couples Therapy?

Couples therapy usually involves weekly or bi-weekly 50-minute sessions. Gottman Method ongoing couples therapy is usually 90-minute sessions. However, sometimes couples need more time to deepen understanding of unresolved interpersonal conflict and or recent crisis and – its emotional impact on both partners and the relationship.

Marathon Couple Therapy is an intensive, short-term, focused, experiential modality of couple and marriage therapy focused on transforming your relationship over a period of half-to 2 days. It is not meant to replace an ongoing long term therapy.

Because of the limited time, the therapy is focused on assessing the current problem or crisis in the relationship. The therapist and the couple will identify goals will be set that work towards bridging the distance in your relationship and/or working towards understanding and compromising on your gridlocked problem.

Prior to starting your Marathon Therapy, couples will receive an assessment questionnaire and a virtual session with Cynthia so that we able to begin working on your relationship immediately upon arrival to the office.

Each marathon therapy is catered to meet the therapeutic needs and goals of each couple. This allows us to closely focus on the couples' needs more effectively and efficiently.

How Does Marathon Therapy Work?

If you live in the area, please call us and we will book your desired day and time frame to transform your relationship.

If you live out of town, you are welcomed to stay in a local hotel at your own expense.

The office is located in Severna Park, Maryland. Our offices are comfortable, inviting, private and comfortable with a walkable option for lunch.

Depending upon how the therapy goes, you may choose to return for follow-up sessions or choose to be referred to a therapist in your hometown for ongoing therapy.

Because of high scheduling demand, we have a 3 weeks’ cancellation policy if you change your mind

How Does Marathon Therapy Work?

If you live in the area, please call us and we will book your desired day and time frame to transform your relationship.

If you live out of town, you are welcomed to stay in a local hotel at your own expense.

The office is located in Severna Park, Maryland. Our offices are comfortable, inviting, private and comfortable with a walkable option for lunch.

Please note that because of the time commitment involved, a 50% deposit is required at the time of booking any intensive therapy package.

Please speak to your therapist about a possible payment plan.

Due to high scheduling demand, there's a 3 weeks’ cancellation policy if you change your mind.

When is Marathon Couple Therapy Contraindicated?

• If there is an active alcohol and/or drug addiction
  
• If there is serious violence in your relationship
  
• If either partner currently has an untreated mental illness
  
• If there is an undisclosed, current affair that you are not willing to disclose
  
• If either partner is experiencing suicidal or homicidal thoughts or has history of serious harm inflicted on self or others
  

When your Marathon Couple Therapy is completed, we will provide you with a summary of your therapy as well as recommendations for you as a couple and individually. If you elect to continue therapy, we will reach out to your current or elected therapist once you both sign a release of information to provide continuity of care.

Couples Marathon (Intensive) Therapy Level I (4-hours)

This four-hour workshop is intended for couples who are familiar with the Gottman Method Therapy and have completed their assessment. This workshop will help couples experiencing

a recent crisis process anger and resentment while developing effective communication skills to renew their emotional connection.

Takeaways after this Therapy workshop

· Communicate effectively

· Create safety and security

· Heal the hurt and pain

· Create a stronger emotional connection

· Plus more depending on the couples commitment

INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE

· Four hours of personalized relationship skill building and therapy

· A take-home package of tools and materials

· Coffee and snacks will be provided

fees for package

· $800.00

Couples Marathon (Intensive) Therapy Level II (6-HOURs)

This one-day workshop is intended for couples who are familiar with the Gottman Method Therapy and completed their assessment. This workshop is for couples experiencing severe and recurrent conflict. Couples will learn and practice strategies and techniques including the repair attempt to defuse tension and negativity and move from perpetual problems to solvable ones.

Takeaways after this Therapy workshop

· Communicate effectively

· Reduce recurrent conflict

· Repair conflicts (identify rules to deal with conflict)

· Heal the hurt, pain of resentment and anger

· Build a culture of appreciation and understanding

· Increase emotion connection and intimacy

· Plus more depending on the couples commitment

INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE

· Six hours of personalized relationship skill building and therapy

· A take-home package of tools and supplemental materials

· The Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work

· 60-minute follow up therapy session post workshop

· Lunch will be provided (couples’ dietary needs will be considered)

fees for package

· $1200.00

Couples Marathon (Intensive) Therapy Level III

((12-hours-2 day; 6hrs per day)

This two-day workshop is intended for couples who are familiar with the Gottman Method Therapy and have completed their assessment.

This workshop is for couples who have experienced a critical betrayal and the relationship is in chronic distress. This workshop will provide time and space for couples to delve deeper and fully into painful concerns/and or memories without interruption. Couples will learn effective skills, strategies and techniques and apply

it to repair past hurts and wounds. This will help the couple develop a deeper emotional connection. The couple will renew their friendship by enhancing their love maps (friendship), nurturing their fondness and admiration, and turning toward each other instead of away.

Takeaways after this Therapy workshop

·Communicate effectively

· Increase emotional connection and intimacy

· Build a culture of appreciation and understanding

· Create safety, security, respect and trust

· Heal the hurt, pain of resentment and anger

· Strengthen or create your friendship

· Reignite passion and romance

· Plus more depending on the couples commitment

Couples Marathon (Intensive) Therapy Level III

((12-hours-2 day; 6hrs per day) (CONTINUED)

included in this package

· 12-hours of personalized relationship skill building and therapy

· A take-home package of tools and supplemental materials

· The Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work

(book, 2-Couples workbook, Love Maps & Open-Ended Questions card decks)

· 120-minute therapy session post workshop

· Coffee, snacks, and lunch will be provided (couples’ dietary needs will

be considered)

FEES FOR PACKAGE

· $2400.00

If I Continue Couple's Therapy, What do Ongoing Sessions Look Like?

Once goals are determined and a plan is made, interventions are used

to assist you as a couple to strengthen your friendship and intimacy,

manage conflict and create shared dreams.

In Gottman Method Couples Therapy, the couple speaks directly to each other with the therapist observing, and intervening as needed

to coach each person in the use of effective communication & interaction skills.

With the practicing of the new skills and the help of your therapist

you will be shown how to develop new skills of communication

and interaction that have been proven to be successful for the long-term stable, happy couples in Dr. Gottman’s Love-Lab research center.

Through these skills development, intimacy, connection, problem solving and happiness become achievable once a respectful tone

and a safe atmosphere are created.

Pre-Marital Couples Therapy

Work on your marriage while planning your wedding.

Pre-Marital Counseling

Before the wedding day and the joys of celebrating with friends and family, pre-marital counseling will help couples learn effective ways to communicate, increase emotional intimacy and strengthen their "love maps": knowledge of one another.

Pre-marital counseling can help you begin your marriage in a healthy way.

Your pre-marital Counseling takeaways wil include:

• Building Love Maps – How well do you know your partner? A love map is your guide to one another; you’ll learn each other’s greatest ambitions, fears, stories, etc.
  
• Establishing Rituals for Connection – How do you plan on celebrating major holidays? What type of vacations will you take, what ways will you use to explore the world and life?
  
• Practice Communication Skills – how will you keep one another appraised of what goes on in your life, what you’re struggling with, etc.?
  
• Learning How to Listen to One Another – How can you stay present and not get defensive if your partner is trying to communicate something challenging? How will you hear what your partner is saying?
  
• Learning How to Discuss Issues When They Arise – So many of us have been conditioned to sweep things under the rug. Discussing issues can be uncomfortable, and the more you don’t do it, the more “ick” builds up.
  

Contact Cynthia to develop an individualized package that is ideal for you. We recommend anywhere from 3-6 sessions.

pre-marital Counseling

Pre-marital counseling is a healthy way to begin your new life together. Couples will complete the Gottman Relationship Checkup online questionnaire, a series of assessments to provide them with feedback in several key relationship areas including:

• Children
  
• Conflict Management
  
• Communication Styles
  
• Division of Household and Family Responsibilities
• Finances
  
• Intimacy
• In–Laws (traditions, holidays & boundaries))
  
• Sex
  
• Trust
  

In pre-marital counseling you and your partner will discuss the following:

• How to prepare for marriage
  
• Understanding potential triggers that may come from how you were raised
• Talking about your personal values and goals
• The art of compromise to avoid the typical power struggles of the first years
• How to keep investing in each other while building careers and families
• The differences in your temperaments and love languages
  
• And many more questions and issues that are unique to you the couple

Affairs & Infidelity Therapy

Heal your relationship after infidelity if YOU want

Affair & Infidelity Therapy

Affair & infidelity can be devastating to a relationship because it rocks the foundation of your relationship. However, with commitment to repair, rebuild and heal, your therapist will work through three important phases of recovery from an affair: Atonement, Attunement and Attachment.

7-Principles Couples Workshop

Interactive workshops for couples held in groups/per couple

• Do you have difficulty communicating and understanding each other?
  
• Are you stuck, arguing in circles about the same issues?
  
• Or are you in a good relationship and would like to make it even better?
  

If you answered YES

THEN, THIS COUPLES WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU!

Interactive workshops for couples held online or in-person with tools and strategies to enhance your communication skills & emotional intimacy.

THE WORKSHOP IS BASED ON BEST SELLING BOOK BY THE DR. JOHN GOTTMAN

This program is based upon the New York Times best seller The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman, Ph.D.

For over 30 years Dr. Gottman scientifically analyzed the habits of married couples and established a method of correcting the behaviors that put thousands of marriages on the rocks. He helps couples focus on each other and the small day-to-day moments that, strung together, make up the heart and soul of any relationship.

This class is designed to strengthen your marriage or committed relationship. If you already have a strong relationship, this class will provide you with insights and tools to make it even better. If your relationship is distressed, this class will provide a road map for repair.

Research shows that on average, couples wait 2.68 years from the first sign of problems before they seek help. Please don’t wait any longer to get help. More and more, couples are seeking relationship education before they even have any “problems”. Be proactive and learn what decades of research teach us about creating long-term, happy and healthy relationships.

IS THIS COUPLES WORKSHOP FOR US?

The Gottman Seven Principles Program is designed for all committed couples, including:

• Married couples
• Pre-engaged couples (those considering marriage)
• Engaged or Premarital couples (those taking steps towards marriage)
• Every phase of relationships, from newlyweds to senior couples
• Those who wish to enhance an already “good” marriage or relationship
• Those needing better conflict management tools
• Those considering couples therapy but who are not “ready” for weekly therapy yet
• People of all backgrounds, ages, faiths, sexual orientations and relationship arrangements.

*****If you are dealing with emotional abuse, domestic violence, unwanted touch, or substance abuse, this class is not appropriate, and you should instead seek individual or couples therapy.*****

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WORKSHOPS

• This class combines teaching and demonstrations with one-on-one work sessions where you and your partner focus on your relationship with each other.
  
• Foster respect, affection and closeness
  
• Build and share a deeper connection with each other’s inner world
  
• Keep conflict discussions calm
  
• Break through and resolve conflict gridlock
  
• Strengthen and maintain the gains in your relationship
  

7-PRINCIPLES COUPLES WORKSHOP INCLUDES:

• The Seven Principles of Making Marriage WorkBook
• The Seven Principles Companion Workbook allows you to privately record answers and journal thoughtfully about the concepts in the book, as they apply to your relationship. It takes users step-by-step through the interactive exercises in each chapter of The Seven Principles Book.
• “Love Map/Open Ended Questions” card deck. This deck is fun and effective way for couples to get to know one another’s inner lives, thus increasing closeness and friendship.
• Engaging presentation and the opportunity for many exercises and conversations with your partner (if you go together).
• Cynthia will be available to give you personal support and guidance as needed.
• As this training will be provided via virtual, there will be options for private chats and questions. You and your partner can interact with one another in a safe and comfortable environment.

Your Workshop Faciliatator

Cynthia Agyeman-Anane, LCSW, is an authorized Seven Principles Program Educator/Leader who will lead the workshop and teach you what successful couples specifically do to create long-lasting loving relationships, as well as the benefits of a stable, committed relationship.

The presenter, Cynthia Agyeman-Anane, LCSW-C, is an up and coming relationship expert counselor who has been intensively trained in all 3 levels of the Gottman Couples Therapy Method, as well as the additional Gottman Method Trainings for Couples regarding Addiction Recovery, Infidelity, Trauma/PTSD, and Domestic Violence. She has worked with many couples and families over her 19 years career in social work. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children. Cynthia is an authorized Gottman Seven Principles Program Educator/Leader and currently provides Gottman-Method couples counseling to couples from all backgrounds in her private counseling practice located in Severna Park, MD. Cynthia is currently providing these workshops via Telehealth for safety reasons.

2023 Workshop Offerings

Please contact us for personalized & individualized workshops

(couples therapy intensives) for you & your significant other if these dates do not work for you.

(**PRE-MARITAL AND ENGAGED COUPLES ARE WELCOMED**)

Fees & Rates

We are an out-of-network provider for Gottman Method Couples Therapy. We do not accept insurance outright and collect payment at the time of service. If you are unsure if you have out-of-network benefits, call your insurance company and ask about whether or not they offer reimbursement for behavioral health, at what percentage, and whether you need to meet a deductible first. Many of our clients are able to file and receive a reimbursement for individual therapy from anywhere between 50-80% of session cost. It’s worth asking the question as you seek the best therapist fit for you. Many couples use their HSA or FSA benefits for Therapy. Please note that insurance does not cover Marathon Therapy.*

Individual Couples Therapy Fees

Couples Intake Session-90mins $225

Couples Intake Session-90mins $265 (w/Gottman Relationship Questionnaire)

Ongoing Therapy Sessions-90mins $200

Gottman Online Relationship Questionnaire w/Assessment $165

***Options for doing the three-part assessment process in one day are available upon request.***

***Refer to Couples Marathon (Intensive) Packages)***

***Create the package that works best for YOU***

***In-person sessions are Available for additional costs

Frequently Asked Questions

Aren't people who go to therapy weak?

This is a myth. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the ability to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. You already have some strengths that you’ve used before, that for whatever reason isn’t working right now. Perhaps this problem feels overwhelming and is making it difficult to access your past strengths. In our work together, we’ll help you identify what those strengths are and how to implement them again in what is happening now.

Do we need to be in a relationship to start therapy?

Yes. Our therapists are relationship experts for individuals who are single as well as those in a relationship.

If you’re an individual who is not currently in a relationship, we can help if you’re grieving the loss of a relationship or want to break patterns that have prevented you from having a fulfilling relationship.

What if my partner won't attend therapy with me?

Many individuals in a relationship come to see us without their partners. You might want to come alone because you want to work on your own problems that you’re having in the relationship. You may also want to attend therapy by yourself if you’re ambivalent about staying in or leaving your relationship and want help making a decision. If your partner is unwilling to attend therapy with you, you may also want to attend counseling alone. Once you make positive changes in your behavior, it’s possible that your partner may also make changes that will help to improve your relationship. In addition, if your partner sees you benefitting from therapy, he or she may later decide to attend therapy with you.

What if we tried couples therapy before and it didn't work?

Sometimes therapy doesn’t work because the timing is off. Maybe one or both of you weren’t ready to make the commitment to therapy in the past. Or, maybe you didn’t stick with therapy long enough to solve the deeper issues, so you reverted back into past negative patterns once you ended therapy. Perhaps the therapist or the therapist’s style or methods were not the right fit for you. Just because you didn’t get the results from therapy that you hoped for in the past, doesn’t mean you won’t get better results this time. Just like anything in life, if you don’t get what you want or need, it’s important to keep trying.

What if I don't want to talk about certain things in-front of my partner?

As part of the initial assessment process in couples therapy, we see each of you and your partner alone. The purpose of these sessions is for you to feel free sharing anything with your therapist that you might not be comfortable telling them when your partner is present in the room. We will never reveal what you tell us in these individual sessions to your partner without your permission.

Do we just talk and argue during therapy?

Definitely not! You likely argue enough at home, so we don’t want you to do that in our therapy office. We create a safe and structured environment for you to work through your problems in a constructive manner. We show you concrete skills that can help you not only solve your current problems but will help you long into the future. Our goal is for you to have the skills you need so that you likely won’t need to come back to therapy.

Can you help us recover from our affair?

Absolutely. We’ve helped many couples heal when there has been a betrayal. When infidelity has occurred emotions can be very intense. The person who had the affair can feel ridden with guilt and the partner can experience deep pain and anger. It can take some time to work through these feelings, but with the will and a commitment, our therapists can help you move through this painful experience and come out the other side stronger than ever. It’s even possible that your relationship can become more fulfilling than it’s ever been.

How long will I/we need to come for therapy?

The length of therapy depends on the nature and severity of the problems you bring to us. Plan on attending at least 10 sessions. Your problems didn’t occur overnight, and so it’s reasonable to expect that you will have to invest some time in resolving them. You will get faster results if you attend sessions weekly. This way you can build momentum as you practice new skills at home in between sessions. We’ll evaluate your progress regularly and together decide if you need more sessions.

Why should I see a couples therapist versus ann individual therapist?

Couples therapist has specific skills sets and tools than an individual therapist. Your couples therapist acts as a neutral party. Your therapist will not take side while you argue. Your couples therapist will create a safe space for couples to have a dyadic conversation (two-way) while the therapist shares specific communication skills to use. Most couples are in a negative sentiment override (negative assumptions about each other), your therapist will help couples shift assumptions and perspectives. Your couples therapist will help you communicate your true intentions instead of being critical or defensive.

How effective is therapy?

Findings revealed that Gottman’s couple therapy approach had positive effects on improving marital adjustment. The Gottman’s couple therapy have shown to have enduring effects on marital adjustment and couples' intimacy. Research has shown that having a good fit between the therapist and client is more important than the specific tools that are used. So we will work to develop trust in the relationship and make sure that you feel comfortable with whatever tool is being used. The National Institute for Mental Health stated that over half of all patients who received therapy for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions experienced significant improvement in their symptoms.

Create Change Today

Connect with Cynthia!

Phone

Email

301-945-7896

conversationscreatechange@gmail.com