How to Predict Divorce: Why Susie Tuckwell Uses Gottman-Informed Therapy
Healthy relationships don’t fall apart overnight — they erode through patterns that partners often don’t recognise until they feel stuck, disconnected, or overwhelmed. This is why Susie Tuckwell integrates the work of Dr. John Gottman, one of the world’s most respected relationship researchers, into her couples therapy approach.
Dr. Gottman is a clinical psychologist who has spent more than four decades studying how couples communicate, manage conflict, and maintain emotional connection. His research at the University of Washington’s “Love Lab” has followed thousands of couples over time, allowing him to identify the behaviours that reliably predict whether a relationship will thrive or struggle. His findings are considered some of the most scientifically validated insights in the field of relationships.
One of Gottman’s most influential contributions is his identification of the predictors of divorce — communication patterns that, when left unaddressed, steadily undermine trust, closeness, and emotional safety. These include:
- The Four Horsemen: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling
- Harsh Startups: beginning conversations with negativity or blame
- Flooding: becoming emotionally overwhelmed during conflict
- Failed Repair Attempts: being unable to de-escalate or reconnect during disagreements
- Negative Relationship Narratives: remembering the past through a lens of disappointment rather than fondness
These patterns don’t just create conflict — they shape how partners interpret each other’s intentions, how safe they feel during difficult conversations, and how hopeful they feel about the future. Gottman’s research shows that when these behaviours become habitual, couples struggle to resolve issues and often feel increasingly alone in the relationship.
This is exactly why Susie uses Gottman-informed methods in her work. Understanding these patterns gives couples a clear, compassionate framework for making sense of what’s happening between them. Instead of blaming each other or feeling stuck in the same arguments, partners learn to recognise the cycle they’re caught in — and more importantly, how to change it.
How Therapy with Susie Tuckwell Helps
Knowing what goes wrong in relationships is only the first step. Real transformation happens when couples feel supported in practicing new ways of communicating, repairing, and reconnecting. Susie provides a calm, grounded therapeutic space where partners can slow down, understand their emotional triggers, and learn practical tools that strengthen their bond.
Her approach is warm, structured, and deeply respectful. Couples often find relief in discovering that their struggles are not signs of incompatibility — they’re signs that the relationship needs attention, guidance, and a safer way to navigate conflict. With Gottman-based strategies and Susie’s steady, compassionate presence, couples learn how to reduce defensiveness, soften communication, rebuild trust, and create a more secure emotional connection.
Whether you’re hoping to prevent future issues, repair long-standing patterns, or simply feel closer again, therapy with Susie offers a supportive path forward. You don’t have to wait until things feel unbearable. Many couples come to therapy because they want to protect what they have, strengthen their partnership, and build a relationship that feels resilient, loving, and connected.
If you’re ready to understand your relationship more deeply and create meaningful change together, Susie is here to help you take that next step.
