.png)
Couples Therapy That Works
Clinical Training by a Senior Trainer at the Gottman Institute
An evidence-based, hands-on training for mental health professionals who want to go from Stuck to Skilled in working with couples.
Taught by Dr Vagdevi Meunier
Globally renowned psychologist and senior Gottman trainer with 40+ years of expertise in transforming relationships through science, soul, and systems.
4 Modalities
4 days
Date
August 20-23, 2025
Time
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm IST
Location
Virtual Video Conference
Therapeutic Modalities Covered
Emotionally Focused Techniques
Imago
Therapy
Trauma
Informed
Gottman‑Informed Strategies
.png)
Training Overview
Couples therapy is an emerging modality of clinical practice that is gaining in importance as well as popularity around the world. Individuals are coming to therapy wanting more structured and proven strategies for having better relationships in their families, workplaces, and friendships. Today we have several major couples therapy approaches that can be adapted and applied in almost any context where skills in communication, conflict management, and shared values would have a positive impact on the functioning of the individual and system. This 8-hour hands-on online training with one of the world’s best relationship trainers is designed for mental health professionals who want clinically effective tools to navigate complex, high-conflict, or emotionally reactive couples. If you’ve ever felt stuck in sessions, unsure how to intervene, or overwhelmed by the intensity in the room, this course is for you. The evidence‑based training is made through an integrative approach using Emotion Focused, Imago and Gottman‑Informed Strategies keeping in mind the Ethical & Cultural Sensitivity of the wide audience in India and Internationally.
With Clinically proven interventions you will understand how to:
Conflict de‑escalation skills interrupting the toxic patterns without taking sides.
Help partners hear each other—especially when they’re triggered.
Create structure and containment in chaotic sessions.
Build emotional safety and re-engage shut-down partners.
Through clinical videos and real‑time clinical demonstrations, role plays, interactive case consultation and discussions, live coaching & feedback and step-by-step guidance, you will gain a set of interventions and skills you can begin using immediately. This training will teach an integrated approach addressing common problems, outcome‑based skill application and clinical interventions that all professionals working with couples need to have in their toolkit. This practical, interactive training is built to strengthen your confidence, therapeutic alliance building, and effectiveness in the consulting room. Walk away with renewed clarity, grounded techniques, and the ability to work more effectively with the couples who challenge you most.
Trainer Profile
Dr. Vagdevi Meunier Professional Biography
Vagdevi Meunier, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist and relationship therapist, coach, trainer, and author from Austin, Texas. She has a private clinical and consulting practice in Austin where she specializes in relationship therapy, intensives, and retreats, professional training and supervision, and organizational consultation. Vagdevi has over 40 years of experience as a therapist, consultant, and educator, presenting to professional and lay audiences nationally and internationally on a variety of topics including healthy relationships, spirituality, infidelity, domestic violence, complimentary and holistic approaches to mental health and much more. Vagdevi incorporates eastern philosophies, relational neuroscience, and positive psychology into her presentations on relationships, and has published several book chapters and articles on the Gottman couples therapy, infidelity, and personality disorders in couples therapy. Vagdevi also brings more than 20 years of experience as a professor teaching mental health graduate and doctoral students at The University of Texas at Austin and St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. Since 2002, Vagdevi has worked exclusively as a relationship coach and therapist. She has been a certified Gottman Couples Therapist and workshop leader since 2006. She has also been a consultant and mentor for many therapists working towards their certification in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Vagdevi is a senior Clinical trainer for the Gottman Institute and in this role has presented all levels of professional training in the Gottman method, speciality workshops and webinars on infidelity, domestic violence, interracial and interreligious relationships as well as the integration of multiple models and approaches to relationship counseling. Vagdevi is also a certified Imago therapist and a seminar director for Prepare-Enrich. Vagdevi is the founder and Executive Director of The Center for Relationships, a relationship therapy and education center that specializes in promoting flourishing relationships at all levels of society using best practices in relationship science and relational cultural approaches. The Center for Relationships offers individual, couples, family, and group therapy with associates trained and supervised in couples therapy. The Center also offers unique educational programs to the regional and national communities including The Seven Principles program, the Healing Heartbreak program, and the Art and Science of Love Gottman couples retreat. Vagdevi is also the founder and President of Sukha International, Inc, an international coaching, consulting, training, and wellness travel organization that specializes in holistic psychology, spiritual growth, and eastern wellness practices. Through Sukha International, Vagdevi offers national and international retreats, workshops, and consultations to executives, professionals, and individuals with a focus on integrative and holistic perspectives on wellness and self-development. Vagdevi is passionate about helping individuals, partners, teams, and organizations develop flourishing and authentic relationships to self and others.
Training Outline
.png)
Clinical Overview and Setting the framework (2 hours)
-
Opening: Welcome, intentions, and learning agreements
-
Overview, ethics and cultural considerations in couples therapy
-
Mapping the therapist’s role: bi-partiality, structure, holding the systems paradigm
-
Common mistakes in couples work and recognizing projection and counter transference
-
Evaluating a couple’s strengths and challenges in a systematic assessment structure
Explore Clinical Practice Zone Peer Exchange: Small group sharing of challenging couple cases and key difficulties Group Insight: Exploring the question, “What challenges couples the most?” Live Demo: Conducting a couple interview to assess the relational attachment patterns Worksheets: Guided reflection worksheets and collaborative cases
De-escalation Skills & Managing Conflict in the Moment (2 hours)
-
Session structure for high-conflict couples
-
Verbal and non-verbal cues for de-escalation
-
Interrupting reactivity without taking sides using Gottman four horsemen antidotes.
-
Techniques for calming physiological or emotional flooding
Explore Clinical Practice Zone Peer Practice: Applying interventions in triads (therapist, couple, observer) Interactive Exercise: Role-plays using real-life couple scenarios in rotating triads Skill-Building Cards: Small group role-plays with targeted intervention cards Live Demo: Facilitating communication by disrupting a blame cycle in-session
Tracking Cycles & Creating Emotional Safety (2 hours)
-
How to identify and name negative interaction cycles
-
Building safety when one partner shuts down
-
Using the “Pause–Process–Pivot” method
-
Using validation and reflection to shift dynamics
Explore Clinical Practice Zone Guided Exercise: Charting real-case interaction cycles through structured worksheets Practice Activities: Using cycle mapping tools and facilitated partner dialogues Live Demo: Therapist breaks a couple’s negative interaction loop in real time
Confident Interventions, Repairs & Integration (1.5 hours)
-
Confident in-the-moment micro-interventions for reactivity, defensiveness, and escalation
-
Language that lands: validating without reinforcing attack
-
Supporting repair after rupture and rebuilding attachment system
-
Rebuilding the friendship and intimacy system
Explore Clinical Practice Zone Practice Lab: Coaching sessions using real or simulated client scenarios Interactive Supervision: “Hot Seat” rotations with live feedback from Vagdevi for each participant Skill Toolkits: Role plays and personalized intervention toolkits Live Demo: Therapist models repair techniques to rebuild connection and intimacy
Final Reflections, Key Insights, and Practical Takeaways
-
Applied Learning: Define what shifts you’ll bring to your next couples session
-
Live Q&A: Discuss real-world challenges and case-based queries
-
Toolkit Handout: Access structured session guides, helpful phrases, and a conflict de-escalation checklist
Learning Objectives
Identify the key principles and systemic approach that is important in working with couples using Emotionally Focused Techniques, Gottman‑Informed Strategies and Trauma informed care
Assess and conceptualize couples’ strengths and challenges using a systematic evaluation approach
Develop personalized treatment plans identifying the key change factors for each couple.
Identify effective and practical techniques to enhance communication and conflict resolution in couples.
Demonstrate increased competence in facilitating emotional healing and repair in couples.
Materials Provided
A clear roadmap: full training overview and detailed session outline
Session slides to revisit powerful concepts anytime
Thought-provoking personal reflection worksheets to deepen your learning
Practical activity handouts with tools and in-class discussed strategies
Role play instructions and real-world couple scenarios to sharpen your skills
A curated verified reading list of must-read books and articles by Dr Vagdevi
Certification Information
Participants who attend every session in its entirety will receive a speciality training certificate in integrated couples therapy from The Center for Relationships and Manoshala.
Eligibility Criteria
This training is open to adults in mental health, social work, or medical fields, as well as nonmedical professionals like coaches, pastors, counselors, and mediators seeking couples therapy skills.
Feedback From Recent Gottman-Certified Participants
Student
The training was excellent and a wonderful experience. I would definitely recommend this trainer to any and all therapists. I really enjoyed Dr. Meunier’s presence and extensive knowledge over Gottman training. I really enjoyed how she worked closely with her co-presenter. They both showed they were excellent therapists.
Student
Dr. V is an excellent presenter, very knowledgeable. The stories she uses to connect and apply critical concepts is very helpful. The training and information as a whole is excellent and very useful. This was a great refresher and I learned some different ways to present information or interventions to clients.
Student
I found all the handouts and videos very helpful along with Dr. Meunier’s extensive knowledge over the topics presented. Everything was so great! The presentation, the presenter, and the knowledge presented was excellent and beneficial.
Student
Vagdevi! I love her teaching style. I want more training with her. I feel like 3 days is not enough to go through all the material. Thank you for sharing your gift of 1) knowledge of the subject and 2) teaching to pass on this knowledge to my couples (G.M.)
Student
Thank you so much for all of the insight into working with couples in an effective way. I got practical skills to use with couples and practicing this to become more comfortable.
Student
Vagdevi brings a great balance between instruction and psychoeducation and practical clinical application. Extremely knowledgeable and manages the room well.
Student
I love how you are “real” in that you share some of your own personal experiences with your husband and how you applied the specific Gottman principles to this training.
Student
I learned SO much about couples and the tools to help them in my future practice.
Student
Everything was wonderful and I enjoyed this training very much. I really enjoyed all the conversations and presented material. Dr. V is very knowledgeable and friendly! She was also very engaging, I didn’t feel lost or off track during the training. It was wonderful. I really enjoyed her teaching style.
Student
This training was great! Learning more about Gottman method, digging deeper, and doing role plays and watching videos all helped me learn more. Dr. V was a rockstar!
Student
The scientific insight is very helpful to me because I am very logic-based. You remind me of an old friend of mine so it has been nice to listen to you speak. I appreciate your attention to detail. I also GREATLY appreciate that you stick to the agreed upon schedule.
Student
Everything was great! I wish I had more time to watch the Gottman training videos in detail. The foundation of Gottman theory and the interventions were so helpful. I think Dr. V was wonderful! You can tell she really enjoys the work she does.
Program Options & Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes it will provide an amalgamation of academic and practical application with a heavy focus on role plays, live demonstrations, and case discussions.
Yes. In the final module, we will explore the common threads that run across all major couples therapy models. Rather than focusing on one specific approach, you’ll learn an integrated clinical framework that helps you apply the best elements of Gottman, EFT, Imago, and others—tailored to your clients' unique relational dynamics.
While this 8-hour training focuses on building a strong clinical foundation, we will address important co-occurring issues like trauma, domestic violence, and infidelity, as well as cultural considerations in intercultural and interfaith relationships. However, due to time constraints, this session will offer only broad guidelines rather than in-depth training on these specific populations. The next program may plan to offer advanced training that dive deeper into these areas.
Yes, participants will receive a reference list along with selected articles or book chapters to review before the training. During the training, you’ll also receive a comprehensive participant workbook with slides, worksheets, role-play scenarios, and as mentioned in “materials provided section”. If post-training engagement is required, you can reach out to team Manoshala.
Certification will be awarded based primarily on attendance and focus during the classes. To support learning outcomes, a feedback form with a brief self-assessment will also be provided to help participants reflect on their readiness and confidence in applying couples therapy skills after the training.
Currently, no formal post-training support or supervision is planned beyond the 4-day training.If post-training support is required, you can reach out to team Manoshala.
Individual feedback will be provided during the Q&A portions of the training. If participants are interested in deeper case consultations or personalized supervision,you can reach out to team Manoshala.
Disclaimer: Please note that Manoshala is not a crisis intervention helpline. In case of any crisis please seek immediate medical help or call suicide prevention helplines in India.
© 2025 by Manoshala. All Rights Reserved.
About Us
At ManoShala, we believe everyone deserves to feel heard, understood, and supported. We’re here to make mental health care accessible, affordable, and deeply personal. Whether you're seeking therapy, guided workshops, or simple self-help tools, our ecosystem is designed to walk with you every step of the way. With thoughtful use of technology, we enhance your healing journey before, during, and after therapy. ManoShala is here for you.
Get the App
.png)
.png)
Disclaimer: Please note that Manoshala is not a crisis intervention helpline. In case of any crisis please seek immediate medical help or call suicide prevention helplines in India.
© 2025 by Manoshala. All Rights Reserved.