Free take-home handout
Weekly State of the Union
A printable Weekly State of the Union, the Gottman ritual for a structured weekly conversation that keeps small concerns from turning into big ones.
Free to download and share with your therapist. Educational, not a substitute for therapy.
What's inside
- Appreciations to open on the right foot
- What's going well, and a household-logistics reset
- One concern raised gently, using a soft start-up
- A request that would help each partner feel loved that week
Who it's for
Couples who only talk about the relationship during a fight and want a calmer, regular place for it instead.
Inspired by the Gottman Method.
Easier with someone in your corner.
A worksheet gets you started. If this is a pattern that keeps coming back, a free 15-minute consult with our intake coordinator is a low-pressure way to talk through it and get matched with the right clinician on our team.
Book a Free ConsultTelehealth across California.
FAQ
What is a Weekly State of the Union in couples work?
+
It's a once-a-week, roughly hour-long conversation from the Gottman Method where partners share appreciations, review what's going well, handle logistics, and each raise one concern gently. Doing it on a schedule means issues get aired before they pile up.
How is it different from just talking?
+
The structure is the point. Leading with appreciation, raising only one concern, and using a soft start-up keeps the conversation from sliding into the same escalating argument couples fall into when they raise things reactively.
Related
Gottman Method
Evidence-based couples therapy developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman over 40+ years of research.
Learn moreCouples Therapy
Gottman Method, EFT, attachment-based work, and sex therapy integrated into relationship care for partners at any stage. Weekday and weekend availability.
Learn moreAll our handouts
The full library of free printable worksheets our team has made.
Browse