You have had the same argument so many times you could recite each other's lines. You love your partner — you know you do — and yet somehow you keep ending up in the same place: hurt, disconnected, and not quite sure how you got here.
If you are looking for couples therapy in St. Petersburg, FL that actually works, the Gottman Method might be exactly what you have been looking for. At Be Your Best Self & Thrive Counseling, we offer Gottman-certified couples therapy — a research-backed approach built on over 40 years of science about what makes relationships last.
What Is the Gottman Method?
The Gottman Method was developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman after decades of studying thousands of couples — what makes relationships thrive, and what quietly destroys them. It is one of the most researched and validated approaches to couples therapy in the world.
At its core, the Gottman Method works by strengthening what Gottman calls the "Sound Relationship House" — the foundation every healthy relationship is built on. Rather than just putting out fires, Gottman therapy helps you understand the patterns beneath your conflicts and build something more solid underneath.
What makes it different from standard couples counseling is that it is not based on theory alone. It is based on data — on what thousands of real couples actually do in relationships that work.
What the Gottman Method Addresses
How BYBS Does Gottman Differently
Most Gottman therapy focuses on communication skills and conflict tools — and those things absolutely matter. But at Be Your Best Self & Thrive, we layer the Gottman Method with our holistic, mind-body approach.
Because the truth is, you cannot think your way out of a reactive nervous system.
When one or both partners are flooded — heart racing, walls up, ready to fight or flee — no communication technique will land. So alongside Gottman's evidence-based framework, we incorporate mindfulness, body-based awareness, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help you and your partner actually regulate in the moment — not just know what you should do in theory.
This is couples therapy that works at the level of the relationship and the level of the nervous system. Because that is where lasting change actually happens.
Meet Your Gottman-Certified Therapist in St. Petersburg
Jessica DeLeo, RMHCI – Relational and Neurodivergent Therapist
Jessica DeLeo, M.A. is a therapist at Be Your Best Self & Thrive Counseling in St. Petersburg trained in Gottman Method Levels 1 and 2.
Jessica works with couples navigating conflict, disconnection, communication breakdown, and the particular complexity of two people trying to build a life together when things feel hard.
Jessica brings a warm, collaborative approach to couples work — creating a space where both partners feel equally seen and heard, and where the relationship itself becomes the client. Alongside Gottman, she draws from her background as a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Certified Holistic Health Coach to support the whole person — not just the presenting problem.
Jessica specializes in: Couples and Marriage Counseling · Anxiety · Depression · Neurodivergence · Women's and Maternal Mental Health · Entrepreneurs and Creatives
Pricing: Individual sessions: $120 · Couples sessions: $180 (75/90 minutes) · Accepting new clients
Jamie Molnar, LMHC, RYT, QS - High Conflict Couples and Trauma
Jamie Molnar, LMHC, RYT, QS is the founder and clinical director of Be Your Best Self & Thrive Counseling in St. Petersburg, and one of the most experienced couples therapists in the Tampa Bay area. With over 20 years of clinical experience and training in both Gottman Level 1 and Level 2, Jamie specializes in the cases that feel most stuck — high-conflict couples, relationships recovering from significant betrayal, and partners who have tried couples therapy before and felt like it did not go deep enough.
What makes Jamie's approach different is what she brings alongside Gottman. As a Registered Yoga Teacher and specialist in Yoga Psychology, Jamie works at the intersection of evidence-based relationship science and mind-body healing — a combination so distinctive it has been featured in DatingNews.
She integrates Jungian depth psychology, somatic awareness, and spiritual inquiry into her couples work, helping partners understand not just what they are fighting about, but what is happening underneath it.
Please note Jamie is currently on a waitlist. We recommend reaching out early to secure a spot.
Jamie specializes in: Gottman Level 2 · High-Conflict Couples · Couples and Marriage Counseling · Empaths and HSPs · Yoga Psychology · Burnout · Therapists and Wellness Professionals
Pricing: Couples sessions: $155 (50 min) · $225 (90 min) · Currently on a waitlist
Frequently Asked Questions — Gottman Therapy in St. Petersburg
Is the Gottman Method evidence-based?
Yes. The Gottman Method is grounded in over 40 years of research by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. It is one of the most studied approaches to couples therapy in the world, with published research supporting its effectiveness for communication, conflict, and relationship satisfaction.
Do both partners need to come to sessions?
Yes, Gottman therapy is designed to be attended by both partners together. If your partner is hesitant, that is a conversation worth having with your therapist — we can help you think through how to approach it.
What is the difference between Gottman and EFT?
Both are evidence-based couples approaches. Gottman focuses on skill-building, friendship, and conflict management. EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) focuses on attachment patterns and emotional bonding. At BYBS, we draw from both, which gives us more flexibility to meet you where you are.
Do you offer pre-marital counseling using the Gottman Method?
Yes! Gottman is an excellent fit for pre-marital counseling. Building these skills before marriage is one of the highest-leverage investments a couple can make.
What does Gottman couples therapy cost in St. Petersburg?
Couples sessions with Jessica are $180 for 75 to 90 minutes. We are an out-of-network provider and can provide a superbill for insurance reimbursement. We accept all major credit cards, HSA, and FSA cards.
Ready to Start Gottman Couples Therapy in St. Petersburg?
Your relationship deserves more than just getting through the next argument. It deserves to actually thrive.
Whether you are in the middle of a crisis or just know that something needs to change, we would love to be part of your journey. Book your free 15-minute consultation and let us explore together whether BYBS and the Gottman Method are the right fit for you and your partner.
STEP 1
Complete the Free Consult Request
STEP 2
Chat with Us
STEP 3
Begin Your Journey
What to Expect in Gottman Therapy at BYBS
Your First Session We start with a full picture — not just the conflict, but the history, the strengths, and what you both want for your relationship. Both partners will have space to share their experience from their own perspective. There is no taking sides here.
The Assessment Process Gottman therapy includes a structured assessment — typically a questionnaire and individual conversations with each partner — so your therapist can understand the specific patterns in your relationship. This is what makes Gottman different: we are not guessing. We are working from a clear map.
Ongoing Sessions Sessions are 75 to 90 minutes for couples — longer than standard therapy because meaningful relationship work takes time. You will leave each session with concrete tools and things to practice between appointments.
How Long Does It Take? It depends on where you are starting from. Some couples notice real shifts within 8 to 12 sessions. Others work longer, especially when rebuilding trust after significant hurt. We will always be honest with you about progress and what we think will be most helpful.
Is Gottman Therapy Right for You?
Gottman therapy works best for couples who are ready to do real work — not just vent. It is a good fit if you:
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Feel stuck in patterns you cannot seem to break on your own
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Want a structured, evidence-based approach rather than open-ended talk therapy
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Are recovering from an affair, breach of trust, or major rupture
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Are preparing for marriage and want to build a strong foundation
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Have tried other couples therapy before and felt like something was missing
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Love each other but cannot seem to stop hurting each other
You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from Gottman therapy. Some of the best relationship work happens before things fall apart.
