About

Holly with Dr. John Gottman at educator training.
"The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships." ~Anthony Robbins
There are no shortage of opinions on what makes marriages work or fail but why rely on subjective opinion when there is solid, scientific evidence?

Before the mid-1800s, doctors did not wash their hands before surgery or delivering a baby. The medical establishment didn't really know what made people sick. We can't see bacteria and viruses with the naked eye so there were few protocols to prevent illness. Then scientists began discovering Germ Theory and saw that simple practices like hand-washing drastically reduced infant mortality rates.

Like those doctors, I believe we are at the forefront of a deeper understanding of relationships using scientific study.

We now know the behaviors and patterns that can kill even the most fervent of loves and the ones that can ensure a lasting, thriving love.

Ghandi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

After my own divorce, I was driven to learn more about relationship dynamics. That led me to become a trained Gottman educator (Level 1, Level 2, and Seven Principles). The more I learned, the more I longed to help others avoid the pain of failed relationships and have the tools to heal, grow, and rebuild.

This training is targeted to people who want to help in their communities but are not full, licensed, professional counselors (LSCWs). A lot of places of religious worship offer help for couples, as do "coaches" but because those industries aren't regulated, they're up to the individual's knowledge which can be good, or can be downright wrong. The Gottman Institute developed training to help those folks understand the science behind their research so when they go out into their communities, they can help spread the word. Educators cannot offer counseling but they can "educate." Just like a 6th grade science teacher can educate a class but not run experiments like a science Ph.D., information even at a surface level can help folks.

There is no shortage of fields that would benefit people from knowing more. There are financial educators, marathon coaches to help folks train for endurance races, even SAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT and other admissions exam coaching to help folks do their best.

People could even benefit from learning how to buy a home or a car, how to repair credit, how to build and advance a career, or how to turn a hobby, passion or idea into a profitable business. The need for coaches, educators, trainers, guides, mentors, instructors, teachers, tutors, and advisors span many fields.

Back before educational institutions were a thing, people learned by apprenticeship which is still valuable today (indeed it's becoming recognized that people who know how to repair drywall, install toilets, fix computers, etc. are in demand even when not formally educated). There is no more efficient way to learn a task than having someone who's been there share their experience.

A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

I am happy to use my training to offer the resources and help I once needed and didn't know where to find. A lot of learning also involves self-awareness, which is a beautiful gift. You can never return to an ignorant state once you know better.

Thank you for visiting my site and if you have a topic to suggest for this site, please email me. Hope you find this site useful!

Holly
hollyrusso (at) yahoo (dot) com
(link deactivated to prevent bot harvesting)

Please note: I am not a licensed, clinical counselor. If you need help, please seek the advice of a mental health professional. If you're not sure who to call or do not have insurance, you can dial "211" in any U.S. state and they will direct you to the appropriate resources, or search "211" and the name of your state to find the state web page of resources. Copyright (c) Holly Russo; all photos my own unless otherwise specified.