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TAPROOT BLOG:
​PSYCHOEDUCATION FOR CLIENTS AND PROVIDERS


Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy: Building Stronger, Healthier Relationships

11/25/2024

 
For couples seeking to deepen their bond, navigate conflict effectively, and foster long-term satisfaction, Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy offers a practical and research-backed approach to improving relationships. Whether you're in a new relationship or have been together for years, the Gottman Method provides tools to strengthen your connection and build a relationship that endures through life's challenges.

What Is Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy?
Developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, the Gottman Method is grounded in over 40 years of relationship research and clinical practice. Its primary goal is to help couples create a balanced relationship built on friendship, shared values, and effective conflict resolution. Unlike other approaches, Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy emphasizes practical tools and exercises that can be applied directly to your relationship—whether it’s learning how to have constructive discussions or fostering a culture of appreciation.

Key Components of the Gottman Method
  1. Building the “Sound Relationship House”
    The Gottman Method introduces a model called the “Sound Relationship House,” which identifies foundational elements of healthy relationships, including:
    • Trust and commitment
    • Fondness and admiration
    • Emotional attunement and conflict management
  2. By focusing on these aspects, couples learn how to cultivate a safe, supportive environment where they can address challenges together.
  3. Turning Towards Instead of Away
    One of the core Gottman principles is the idea of “turning towards” your partner rather than “turning away.” This concept encourages couples to respond positively to each other’s needs for connection, no matter how small, strengthening the bond over time. Turning toward each other, especially during moments of stress or conflict, lays the foundation for a resilient partnership.
  4. Managing Conflict, Not Eliminating It
    Conflict is inevitable in any relationship, but Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy teaches that how you handle conflict is what truly matters. Couples learn how to identify and understand “perpetual problems”—those issues that recur over time. Instead of aiming to “fix” every problem, the Gottman Method helps partners navigate these conflicts in a way that brings them closer rather than driving them apart.
  5. Creating Shared Meaning and Deepening Intimacy
    A key aspect of the Gottman Method is helping couples develop a sense of shared meaning in their lives. This includes creating rituals, establishing shared values, and building a vision for the future. Through exercises and guided conversations, couples can foster a deeper emotional connection and build a relationship that feels meaningful and fulfilling.
  6. Developing Emotional Intelligence as a Couple
    Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy emphasizes the role of emotional intelligence in healthy relationships. Couples learn skills to manage their own emotions while being more attuned to their partner’s feelings. This mutual understanding and empathy lead to more constructive interactions and a stronger sense of support.

How Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy Can Benefit Your Relationship
  • Enhanced Communication: Learn tools to communicate more effectively and compassionately, reducing misunderstandings and increasing emotional closeness.
  • Strengthened Trust: Through practices that build emotional safety, you and your partner can develop a deeper trust that fosters long-term commitment.
  • Improved Conflict Resolution: Gain skills to approach conflict in a constructive manner, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
  • Increased Intimacy: By deepening your understanding of each other’s emotional world, you can build a more connected and intimate relationship.

Gottman-Informed Therapy for All Relationship Stages
Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy isn’t just for couples in distress—it’s a valuable tool for any couple who wants to maintain a healthy, fulfilling relationship. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your relationship foundations, prepare for future challenges, or simply reconnect with your partner, the Gottman Method offers proven strategies for success.

Join Our Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy Group!
If you and your partner are interested in experiencing the Gottman Method in a structured, supportive setting, consider joining our upcoming 6-week Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy Group. This online group program offers guided sessions tailored to help couples enhance their communication, build intimacy, and create lasting, meaningful change together.

Ready to take your relationship to the next level? Reserve your spot today by contacting hello@taproottherapynyc.com and take the first step towards a stronger, more fulfilling relationship.

The Benefits of Gratitude Practice

11/18/2024

 
Author: Nora Carnevale, Taproot Therapy Clinical Trainee

When considering the practices that can benefit our lives, it might be easy to agree that gratitude is important. Gratitude is a simple concept, and being thankful is often something many of us are taught to do starting in childhood. For example, when someone else is facing a hard time, we are taught to use that perspective and feel grateful for what we have. Or perhaps the notion of gratitude feels very difficult to imagine if you yourself are amid a challenging situation. While gratitude is something that most people are very familiar with, it might not be part of everyday life. However, working to incorporate gratitude into our regular daily practices, regardless of what is going on around us, can result in a variety of benefits. 

According to Oppland (2017), a study found that gratitude can help forge friendships; thanking a new contact makes them more likely to seek an ongoing relationship. Reportedly, people who practice gratitude also feel healthier with less pain and better overall health. Gratitude improves psychological well-being by reducing symptoms of depression, enhancing empathy, and reducing aggression. Self-esteem is also positively impacted by gratitude; appreciating the accomplishments of others makes us in turn feel better about ourselves. And finally, gratitude can increase emotional resilience as well as improve sleep quality. 

In addition to a variety of possible benefits, there are also many ways to incorporate a gratitude practice into your life. Here are some options: 

  • Gratitude prompts: These prompts can be used in any form to spark ideas and expand upon. Some examples are “I’m grateful for three things I see”, “I’m grateful for three things I hear”, “I’m grateful for these three friends” 
  • Journaling: writing even one line a day in a journal about something you are grateful for that day or writing as much as you would like about the topic. 
  • Gratitude jar: write one thing you are grateful for each day on a small piece of paper and put it in the jar. Over time, the jar will fill up and you can periodically revisit all the different things you were appreciative of. 
  • Gratitude letter: Write a letter to someone you feel gratitude toward and explain all the reasons why. Studies have indicated the positive psychological benefits of a gratitude letter on both the recipient and the writer (Oppland, 2017). Another option for the gratitude letter is to write one to yourself! Reflecting on all the things you appreciate about yourself can also be a beneficial experience. 

There are no rules when it comes to experimenting with different ways to express gratitude and incorporate it into our lives as a regular practice. These techniques can serve as starting points and can be adapted in any way that feels right. 

References: 
Oppland, M. (2017). 13 most popular gratitude exercises and activities. Positive Psychology. https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-exercises/

Finding Relief: Join Our 8-Week Chronic Pain Recovery Group Therapy

11/11/2024

 
Living with chronic pain can feel overwhelming, isolating, and endless. But what if there was a way to not only cope with your pain but to reduce or even recover from it? Our 8-Week Chronic Pain Recovery Group Therapy offers a transformative experience designed to help participants find meaningful relief through Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), a groundbreaking approach that empowers individuals to address chronic pain at its source.

This group provides a supportive, welcoming environment where you can gain skills, find hope, and connect with others on the journey to recovery.

What is Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)?
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) is an innovative approach rooted in understanding how the brain and nervous system interact with chronic pain. While physical injuries or conditions often initially cause pain, the brain and nervous system can adapt in ways that make pain a persistent part of everyday life, even if the original source has healed. Through PRT, individuals learn to retrain their brains, reducing the threat response and alleviating chronic pain at its root. By addressing the mind-body connection, PRT helps shift the way pain is experienced, providing real relief and restoring quality of life.


What to Expect in the Chronic Pain Recovery Group
This 8-week program is designed to provide a comprehensive, structured experience with both individual and group support. Here’s what you can look forward to:

1. Weekly 90-Minute Sessions
Meet once a week for 90 minutes in a reliable, consistent space that fosters safety, support, and progress.

2. Guided Discussions
Each session focuses on essential topics for chronic pain management, such as handling flare-ups, managing doubt, and navigating complex medical advice. These discussions provide valuable insights and practical strategies for reducing pain.

3. Skill Building
Learn powerful skills to apply in daily life, including somatic tracking, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and strategies to reduce fear around your pain. Each tool is designed to help alleviate pain by reshaping how the brain interprets it, making it possible to reclaim your day-to-day activities.

4. Peer Support and Connection
Chronic pain can be isolating. Connecting with others who truly understand the journey can make a huge difference in how you feel. This group provides a safe space to share your experiences, gain support, and reduce feelings of loneliness.


Who Should Attend?
This group is perfect for individuals who:
  • Live with chronic pain from conditions like back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, migraines, or fibromyalgia.
  • Struggle with the emotional and mental toll of chronic pain, including frustration, fear, or isolation.
  • Seek new, effective strategies for managing pain and improving overall quality of life.
  • Want to connect with others who understand the challenges of living with chronic pain.

Discover the Potential for True Recovery
The 8-Week Chronic Pain Recovery Group Therapy offers a fresh approach to healing, grounded in PRT’s research-backed techniques. Rather than simply managing symptoms, this program helps participants address pain at its source. Each session provides tools, support, and insights that empower you to reshape your experience with pain and find a path forward.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Join our 8-Week Chronic Pain Recovery Group Therapy and discover how Pain Reprocessing Therapy could change your life. The group will be facilitated by Jess Freedman, LMSW, certified practitioner of pain reprocessing therapy (PRT). ​To schedule a consultation call, and to reserve your spot, contact Jess at [email protected].

Strengthen Your Connection: Join Our Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy Program

11/7/2024

 
Are you and your partner ready to deepen your bond, improve communication, and create a stronger, more resilient relationship? Our 6-week online Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy Program offers a unique opportunity to strengthen your relationship in a supportive, structured setting.

Why Choose Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy?
The Gottman Method is renowned for its evidence-based approach to helping couples build lasting connections. Grounded in decades of research, the Gottman Method focuses on enhancing relationship fundamentals like friendship, intimacy, and conflict management—tools that any couple can benefit from. Whether you're newly together or have been a couple for years, this program provides insights and practices to bring you closer and resolve challenges together.

What to Expect in Our Couples Therapy Program
Our structured 6-week program offers a blend of individual and joint sessions, combining Gottman Method principles with practical steps toward strengthening your relationship.

Program Overview:
  • Week 1: Outlining Issues and Background Intake
    Start your journey by identifying key relationship challenges. This intake session helps us understand your unique story and goals, laying a foundation for meaningful growth.
  • Week 2: Individual Sessions
    Gain clarity in two one-on-one sessions, where each partner reflects on personal needs and prepares for collaborative work. This stage allows for personal insights to support the couple’s progress.
  • Week 3: Coming Together and Identifying Triggers
    Reconnect as a couple by identifying emotional triggers and recognizing early warning signs of conflict. Understanding these dynamics helps you communicate more effectively and with empathy.
  • Week 4: Exploring Constructive Conflict
    Develop skills to handle disagreements constructively. By transforming conflict into a pathway to growth, couples learn to handle challenges with resilience and respect.
  • Week 5: Identifying Strengths and Boundaries
    Celebrate your relationship’s strengths while setting healthy boundaries that safeguard your connection. Boundaries and strengths are essential pillars for a long-lasting relationship.
  • Week 6: Building Intimacy, Respect, and Shared Meaning
    Solidify your bond by fostering a deeper connection. We’ll focus on mutual respect, friendship, and building a shared vision for your future together.

Who Is This Program For?
​
This online program is ideal for any couple committed to enhancing their connection and communication, regardless of relationship stage. It’s perfect for partners who want to learn new ways to navigate challenges, build deeper trust, and create a shared sense of purpose.

Why Invest in Your Relationship Now?
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy for relationships to take a backseat to other priorities. Yet a strong, healthy partnership is a foundation for overall happiness and stability. This online program offers dedicated time for couples to reconnect, learn, and grow—an investment that can have lasting benefits.

Ready to strengthen your relationship? Spaces are limited! Reserve your spot today by contacting hello@taproottherapynyc.com and take the first step towards a stronger, more fulfilling relationship.


The Power of Boundary Setting: Your Essential Toolkit for Well-Being

11/4/2024

 
Author: Izzy Michels, Taproot Therapy Clinical Trainee

When so much is being asked or expected of you, it can feel nearly impossible to check in with yourself about what you really need amidst the chaos. Setting boundaries is a crucial part of maintaining your mental and emotional health. Advocating for yourself can be challenging, especially in tough situations or strained relationships. However, the first step in setting boundaries is realizing that you have the autonomy to do so. 

What are Boundaries? 
Boundaries are guidelines that help you define what is personally acceptable and what is not in your relationships and interactions. They can be physical, emotional, or even digital. Think of boundaries as a protective fence around your personal space—one that keeps you safe while allowing healthy connections to flourish. 

What is the Difference Between a Boundary and a Request?
Boundary: An internal guideline you establish for yourself. 
Request: An external ask you make of others. 

Why Boundaries Matter
  1. Protecting Your Well-Being: Boundaries help prevent burnout and resentment in various settings and relationships allowing you to say no when you need to. 
  2. Enhancing Relationships: Healthy boundaries promote mutual respect and understanding in relationships. They create clear expectations and reduce misunderstandings.
  3. Encouraging Self-Esteem: Setting boundaries reinforces your self-worth and reminds others that your needs are important!

Recognizing Your Limits

Before you can set boundaries, it’s essential to understand your limits. Reflect on situations where you feel drained or overwhelmed. Ask yourself:
  • What situations make me uncomfortable?
  • Where do I often feel pressured to say yes?
  • What do I need to feel safe and respected?

Practical Tips for Setting Boundaries
  1. Be Clear and Specific: Communicate your boundaries directly and clearly. Use “I” statements to express your needs without blaming others (e.g., “I need some quiet time after work”).
  2. Practice Saying No: It’s okay to decline requests that infringe on your boundaries. Start with small “no” responses to build your confidence.
  3. Stay Consistent: Once you’ve set a boundary, stick to it. Consistency reinforces your message and helps others understand your limits.
  4. Prepare for Pushback: Not everyone will respond positively to your boundaries. Be ready to reaffirm your needs calmly and assertively.
  5. Check In with Yourself: Regularly assess your boundaries and adjust them as needed. Your needs may change, and that’s perfectly okay.

Setting boundaries is a vital skill for maintaining a healthy balance in life. By taking the time to understand and communicate your limits, you create a foundation for healthier relationships and improved overall well-being. It’s not always easy but remember it’s possible!

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