Northampton Center for Couples Therapy

05/01/2026

Most couples don't start out looking for an intensive. They start with weekly therapy, books, podcasts — every kind of trying. But there comes a point where the question shifts from whether to keep going, to how to do it in a way that finally gets traction.

Our newest blog explores how to know when a couples therapy intensive might be the right next step.

For couples in Massachusetts and greater Boston considering a therapy intensive—what it is, when it makes sense, when it doesn’t, and what the research actually says about how it works.

04/29/2026

Erica Gilman, MS, LMFT

In her couples work, Erica utilizes humor, sharp observation of patterns, and understanding that you are ultimately the expert on you. She believes that relational work is one of the most rewarding and valuable practices in existence. For couples, she serves as a knowledgeable translator when you find yourself seemingly speaking a different language than your partner, a guide when you find your relationship someplace unfamiliar, and a professional who can provide practical strategies and emotional understanding. Outside sessions, you can find her with her nose in a book or puttering around in the great outdoors.

https://www.northamptoncouplestherapy.com/erica-gilman/

04/28/2026

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤

Intensives are tailored to each couple and typically include:

✔️ A comprehensive intake and assessment process
✔️ A customized plan based on your relationship, history, and goals
✔️ One or more extended sessions (half-day, full-day, or multi-day)
✔️ Real-time guidance during key moments
✔️ Clear recommendations for next steps following the intensive

https://www.northamptoncouplestherapy.com/couples-intensives/

04/27/2026

Not all couples therapy is well-suited to a 50-minute hour.

For some couples, that format simply doesn’t allow enough time to slow things down, work through escalation, or stay with what’s actually happening between them.

Couples therapy intensives offer a different kind of structure.

With more time, the work can unfold more naturally — there’s space to stay with important moments, rather than stopping just as something begins to shift.

This can be especially helpful when things feel stuck, when previous therapy hasn’t led to meaningful change, or when there’s more to work through than a weekly format can hold.

Learn more about how intensives work here:
https://www.northamptoncouplestherapy.com/blog/couples-therapy-intensive/

04/24/2026

What Is The Viral Bird Theory, A New Relationship Test ...

The Goal: To test if a partner cares about small, insignificant moments in your daily life, not just big events.
The Test: You mention seeing a bird, or something equally simple, to your partner.

"Turning Toward" (Pass): Your partner stops, listens, and asks questions like, "What kind of bird?" or

"What did it look like?". This shows engagement, curiosity, and care.

"Turning Away" (Fail): Your partner ignores you, sighs, or gives a dismissive response, suggesting lack of interest.

Origin: The concept stems from the Gottman Institute’s research, which found that couples who stay together "turn toward" each other's bids 86% of the time, while those who split only do so 33% of the time.

Important Caveat: A single failed test does not mean a relationship is over; rather, it is a tool to measure how often you connect, say experts.

https://www.northamptoncouplestherapy.com/

04/23/2026

Check out NCCT's blogs about relationship superpowers

https://www.northamptoncouplestherapy.com/blog/page/6

04/22/2026

Couples often arrive with different understandings of what is happening between them. One partner may feel urgency, while the other feels unsure or overwhelmed. Sometimes, both feel discouraged in different ways.

Couples therapy provides a setting where these patterns can be slowed down and examined more carefully — not just what is being said, but how interactions are unfolding over time. Much of our work involves helping couples understand not just what they are arguing about, but the structure of the interaction itself — how each person’s response shapes what happens next.

https://www.northamptoncouplestherapy.com/northampton-center-for-couples-therapy/

04/20/2026

Not knowing what you need is often where couples start.

It’s something we help couples sort through.

04/20/2026

04/17/2026

What Happens When We Don’t Take Risks in Our Relationships?

Read our blog post to learn more: https://www.northamptoncouplestherapy.com/blog/taking-risks-in-our-relationships/

04/15/2026

Take the first step toward clarity and connection.

NCCT offers online and in-person therapy for Massachusetts couples, online therapy for international couples, and in-person retreats for couples traveling from out of state.

https://www.northamptoncouplestherapy.com/connect/

04/15/2026

📣 We have one fellowship opening at NCCT this fall — and it's the kind of opportunity that doesn't come around often.

The Northampton Center for Couples Therapy is accepting applications for our Fall 2026 Postgraduate Fellowship: a two-year, evidence-informed training program focused exclusively on couples therapy.

This is not a generalist placement. NCCT is a learning community in the truest sense — clinicians who are passionate about the field, committed to each other's growth, and always in the middle of something interesting. The Fellow who joins us this fall steps into that culture from day one.

Training is grounded in the three leading models of couples work — Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Pragmatic Experiential Therapy for Couples (PET-C) — and includes weekly supervision, monthly master classes, and a monthly s*x therapy group supervision with an AASECT-certified s*x therapist. Licensed clinicians earn CEs for trainings and meetings. Clinical and supervision hours count toward MA LICSW, LMFT, and LMHC licensure. Fellows are compensated through a salary based on caseload and experience.

Since 2010, NCCT has worked with over 4,500 couples. Our clinicians hold advanced certifications in the Gottman Method and The Daring Way™. Fellows don't just observe that expertise — they work alongside it.

The right candidate has already decided that couples therapy is their path. They're curious, humble, and ready to do serious work inside a community that will meet them there.

Applications are due May 10, 2026. Learn more:
https://www.northamptoncouplestherapy.com/fellowship/

Please share with anyone who might be a strong fit — we'd love to hear from them.

The Northampton Center for Couples Therapy offers a two-year postgraduate fellowship in evidence-informed, state-dependent couples therapy.