The Origin of PORT
I’m beyond thrilled to finally share a project that has been years in the making—and deeply personal for me. When my own marriage was on shaky ground, we sought help from a therapist who, while wonderful with us individually, wasn’t specifically trained in couples therapy. We found ourselves reenacting our arguments in his office, feeling like we could have that same experience at home without the added cost.
When I later suggested returning to counseling, my partner was understandably skeptical. Unfortunately, our experience is all too common. Many therapists lack the specific training necessary to excel in couples therapy, resulting in success rates that hover around 50-55%—eerily similar to the divorce rate. In many cases, the effectiveness of therapy ends up being only as strong as the couple’s own ability to heal.
This realization was disheartening, but it also ignited in me a strong sense of mission. I became determined to seek out specialized approaches, undergoing extensive training in methods like IMAGO, Gottman Method, EFT, PACT, and more. As my client base grew, I faced new challenges—namely, how to make this life-changing work accessible to more people despite the financial constraints that come with providing high-quality therapy.
The Birth of Presence Oriented Relationship Therapy (PORT)
To tackle this, I began training interns, which allowed us to offer more affordable options while also upskilling the next generation of therapists. This process paved the way for Presence Oriented Relationship Therapy, a comprehensive training program designed to equip our team—both interns and experienced therapists—with the very best tools from proven approaches to couples therapy, delivered efficiently and effectively.
My own journey to becoming a confident couples therapist took nearly five years. Looking back, I wish I had access to a program like PORT from the start—I know I could have served my clients better, sooner. That’s why we’ve distilled the most powerful insights from various approaches into a focused curriculum that helps therapists master essential skills more quickly.
More Than Just Technical Skills
But PORT goes beyond technique or copying a single “guru.” Therapy is a personal and unique process, and our aim is to help you develop your own style while integrating the core skills that are crucial to success. We also address the beliefs therapists might hold that could unknowingly undermine their work with couples. Plus, we emphasize that good couples therapy can be more direct and empowering than individual therapy, often leading to faster, more profound change.
Why Individual Therapists Benefit from PORT
Even if you don’t plan to specialize in couples therapy, the PORT program can significantly elevate your practice. Relationship issues inevitably arise in all types of therapy, and having the right tools at your disposal can transform your work and results with clients.
Learn More and Access a Free Course
I’m so excited to invite you to learn more about PORT training. As a special welcome, you can access a free course that explains the three foundational models—Relational Brain Model, Presence Bridge Model, and the 5 Step Therapy Progress Model—using this link: Connection, Change & Trust. I hope to see you there!
Steven Dromgool
Director of the PORT Institute
