Modern Therapy, Real Results
Welcome to the Couples Center of the Pioneer Valley
Our Founders
Two highly skilled and experienced couples therapists—who also happen to be great friends—established a practice in 2012 committed to lasting change and real results in an inclusive and welcoming environment. We have been thriving ever since!
Practice founders, Katherine Waddell, LMFT and Dr. Donna Gilman, Psy.D., are both dedicated to the Developmental Model therapy approach and fostering an inclusive practice utilizing the most effective therapy techniques. These were the seeds to a lasting partnership.
10 years ago they established The Couples Center of the Pioneer Valley (CCPV) to serve their local community. Today the Center has grown to include an impressive staff of licensed mental health practitioners and coaches and has expanded far beyond the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts.
Explore Our Couples Intensives
Couples Intensives present a unique opportunity for a couple to do a deep dive over an entire weekend into powerful relationship work. With help from the therapist, each partner will dig deep into the cycle of conflict that has kept them stuck for years or a crisis that has arisen. This helps them take strategic steps to transform their relationship.
Intensive couples therapy is appropriate only for couples in which both partners are really ready to put in a big effort to make their relationship work.
The Developmental Model
Our Couples Therapy work is drawn extensively from the Developmental Model, which differs from some of the other popular couples therapy models you might be familiar with. Our central principle is to first and foremost nurture the growth and "differentiation" of each partner and strengthen each partner’s capacity to tolerate and negotiate differences. This is in contrast to other models, which initially focus on increasing each partner’s empathy and understanding of each other.
Why Choose Couples Center of the Pioneer Valley:
TRUSTED: 10 years serving the Pioneer Valley community and beyond
EFFECTIVE: Real-life, practical interventions, and approaches to working with even the most difficult situations
EXPERIENCED: A directorial team with over 50 years of experience
COMPREHENSIVE: A large offering of therapeutic specialties
INCLUSIVE: Focused from Day 1 on creating therapies for everyone, in particular LGBTQ++, the poly/kink community, and those from underserved communities
MODERN: Utilizing cutting-edge neuroscience, differentiation, and attachment theory-based alternative approaches
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