Submitted by the Gottman Institute

From time to time, individuals come along who change the conversation and alter the course of the field of psychotherapy. In recognition of those who make such extraordinary contributions, the Psychotherapy Networker Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a person or persons whose life’s work has had such an impact on our understanding of psychotherapy, on the way psychotherapists practice their craft, and on the lives of the people who are served by mental health professionals around the world. This year’s recipients are Drs. John and Julie Gottman who will receive the award on March 19, at 1:45 p.m. P.T./4:45 p.m. E.T. during a virtual Symposium. The Gottmans will also be presenting two talks at the symposium: The Latest Chapter in Couples Research on March 19; and The Gottman Connection: Exploring the Ultimate Clinical Assistant on March 20.

Individuals honored by this award have dedicated themselves to furthering the scientific, philosophical, and practical foundations of psychotherapy, broadened our understanding of the human experience, and promoted awareness of and access to psychotherapy. Previous recipients include Peter Levine, Mary Pipher, Irvin Yalom, and Salvador Minuchin.

John Gottman, Ph.D. is world-renowned for his work on marital stability and divorce prediction. He has conducted over 40 years of breakthrough research with thousands of couples. He is co-founder, with his wife Julie, of The Gottman Institute and Affective Software Inc. as well as author of over 200 published academic articles and author or co-author of more than 40 books, including The New York Times bestseller The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.

Julie Gottman, Ph.D. is co-founder of Affective Software, Inc. and co-founder and president of The Gottman Institute and A highly respected clinical psychologist and author, she is sought internationally by media and organizations as an expert advisor on marriage, domestic violence, gay and lesbian adoption, same-sex marriage, and parenting issues. She is the co-creator of The Art and Science of Love weekend workshop for couples and she also co-designed the national clinical training program in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

The couple make their home on Orcas Island.