Janette Robinson, MFT

05/18/2026

Your relationship is like a house.

I've been using this framework in my practice for years...it’s called the Sound Relationship House, developed by Dr. John Gottman, and I keep coming back to it because it's one of the clearest, most practical ways I know to look at what's actually going on in a relationship.

Seven levels. Two walls. Each one building on the one below it.

Some couples come in with a solid foundation but a leaky roof. Some have big dreams for the house but the ground floor is crumbling. Most of us have a mix of strong spots and places that need real attention, and that's okay. That's human.

Here's what the seven levels look like:

Level 1: Love Maps. How well do you actually know each other's inner world?
Level 2: Fondness & Admiration. Do you still see what's good in your partner, and do you tell them?
Level 3: Turning Toward. Are you showing up in the small, everyday moments?
Level 4: The Positive Perspective. Do you give each other the benefit of the doubt?
Level 5: Managing Conflict. Not eliminating it, learning to move through it without leaving damage behind.
Level 6: Making Life Dreams Come True. Does your partner feel like you genuinely care about what they want out of life?
Level 7: Creating Shared Meaning. The rituals, values, and identity you build together that make your relationship yours.
And holding it all up? Two walls: Trust and Commitment.

Which level do you think is the strongest in your relationship right now, and which one needs some work?

If you'd like to learn more, go to www.jrmft.com.

05/13/2026

Q***r Couples and Couples Therapy-You Deserve More.

You are worthy of love, of joy, of a deep partnership. And you deserve a space where all of that is not just accepted, but celebrated.

Most couples come to therapy wanting the same things: to feel heard, to stop having the same fight, to find their way back to each other. Q***r couples are no different in that regard.

But there's often another layer. Sometimes several.

The psychological weight of loving someone in a world that wasn't always sure it would let you, that leaves marks. And those marks don't disappear just because the law changed.

As a Certified Gottman Therapist and Certified Narrative Therapist, I've found the combination of these methods to be transformative for q***r couples. The Gottman Method gives couples practical tools for breaking the patterns that erode even the most loving relationships, and for rebuilding the friendship at the center of a partnership. Narrative Therapy adds something equally important: the chance to examine the stories you've absorbed about love, commitment, and relationships, and ask which ones are actually yours.

The research backs up what I've seen in my own office: q***r couples not only benefit from Gottman-based therapy, they often thrive in it. And layering in the deconstructive work of Narrative Therapy, examining and rewriting the stories that have shaped how you see yourselves and each other, real healing becomes possible.
Your relationship is worth fighting for.

You are worthy of love, of joy, of a deep partnership. And you deserve a space where all of that is not just accepted, but celebrated.

If you'd like to learn more, go to: www.jrmft.com.

05/10/2026

Go do something nice for yourself this Mother's Day, even if relationships are complex. Happy Mother's Day!

Are you dreading Mother's Day because your adult child isn't in your life? It's important to honor yourself, no matter the reasons for the emotional cutoff.

05/08/2026

Are you losing yourself trying to hold onto the relationship?

Healthy love isn’t about enmeshment or emotional distance — it’s about staying connected while still being fully yourself. Differentiation allows couples to build intimacy without losing identity, creating space for both “me” and “us.” 💛

Read more from the Gottman Institute on enmeshment, detachment, and differentiation in relationships:

Find the right equilibrium in your relationship. Certified Gottman Therapist explains how to function within a healthy dynamic.

04/22/2026

Healthy couples don’t fight to win—they look for ways to understand, validate, and say “yes” where it matters.

What does "accepting influence" mean? Gottman therapist Sinead Smyth, breaks down this concept and how it is the way to resolve conflict.

04/20/2026

Busy schedules don’t have to mean drifting apart. 💛

Strong relationships aren’t built on big moments—they’re built on small, daily acts of appreciation. When couples intentionally share fondness and admiration—through simple check-ins, gratitude, and meaningful connection—they create a culture of love that keeps them close, even in the busiest seasons of life.

Sharing fondness and admiration for each other as a couple fits into your schedule no matter how busy you are.

04/17/2026

It’s not grand gestures—it’s the everyday moments.
3 rituals to keep your relationship strong and intentional.

Couples with marriages rich in habits, rituals, and traditions are more likely to keep the positive side of the relationship nurtured.

07/05/2025

Six Hours a week can change so much. Here are some ways to connect throughout the week. If your life is filled to the brim already, consider adding one thing at a time and see what happens!

Dr. John Gottman found that couples who dedicate at least six intentional hours per week on their relationship notice an improvement in communication, fondness and admiration, and attunement.

If the thought of budgeting time sounds intimidating, remember that healthy relationships grow from small moments of connection in everyday life.

Consider these questions:

How do you and your partner greet each other in the morning?
If you're both working from home, what's your favorite way to show affection?
Do you make an effort to learn about your partner's day?
When was the last time you had a State of the Union Meeting to discuss your romance and plan your future together?

Don't underestimate the small moments in your relationship. Making the effort to turn towards each other every day can make all the difference. Discover interactive tools to help you and your partner strengthen your relationship today by starting Gottman Relationship Coach: All About Love: https://bit.ly/3lkGJL2

06/20/2025

Wise words from Emily Nagoski about Couples that Sustain a Strong Sexual Connection!

05/29/2025