Get to know Me

McBee Zimmerman

Certifications

  • Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Health
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
  • The Gottman Method - Couples counseling levels 1 and 2

Accountability and commitment

I am known to be easy to talk to, insightful, nurturing, and compassionate. Holding myself and my clients to accountability and commitment are cornerstones of my approach to therapy.  

I have over 20 years of experience and clinical knowledge over a wide range of environments and clientele. It is important to me to be research oriented and use evidenced practices.  

I retain a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling, from The Citadel Graduate studies program, Charleston S.C. I completed an intensive internship at the Medical University of South Carolina.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, cooking, gardening, and staying fit.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor.   #3365

The Gottman Method

Because The Gottman Method is derived from research and practiced with more than 3,000 couples of all types and can be applied at any stage of life, the couples therapy may be used to educate committed partners in the early stages of a relationship as well as to restore healthy functioning distressed couples, whether stuck in chronic conflict, coping with infidelity, or engaging in other destructive patterns. All therapy is based on a couples’ patterns of interacting, and partners learn and implement relationship-building and problem-solving skills together. Gottman-based therapy is sometimes employed in intensive form over the course of two to four days for couples in crisis.

The Gottman Method is predicated on observations and predictions demonstrating that there is a real science to that most ineffable of experiences—love. It is built on research showing that negativity makes a big impact on the brain, and that unless they take steps to counteract instances of negativity, couples grow apart emotionally. It identifies and addresses the states of mind and behaviors shown to underlie intimacy and helps partners maintain a positive orientation to each other that can sustain them in upsetting circumstances. Although individual perspectives and wishes are addressed, all therapy is conducted with both partners together, and therapists do not privilege secrets.

Gottman therapy involves:

  1. Each partner establishing a relationship with the therapist through sharing their history, their relationship philosophy, and their goals for treatment
  2. Undergoing a thorough assessment of the marriage, including engaging in discussion of a topic on which partners disagree
  3. Learning the research-derived components of healthy relationships
  4. Bolstering the fondness and respect that first brought partners together
  5. Learning and practicing skills for each element of a good relationship, from developing trust to repairing attacks and other regrettable incidents
  6. Direct coaching from the therapist in the use of interaction skills
  7. Acquiring tools for checking and maintaining relationship health beyond therapy.
    Therapy focuses not only providing skills for managing relationships but delivering deeper insight into why partners create the relationship dynamics they do.

All Gottman practitioners are licensed psychotherapists with a Master’s degree or doctorate who have undergone special training in the Gottman Method. While many therapists are familiar with and apply findings and principles from the relationship research of John Gottman, certified Gottman Method therapists have undergone four specific levels of training in the Gottman approach and have learned an array of strategies and interventions for identifying problems and helping couples. Gottman therapists work toward the goal of creating a Healthy Relationship House. In addition, they have undergone training in specialized relationship-assessment techniques. Certified Gottman therapists have received training through The Gottman Institute in Seattle.