The PORT Institute

Improve your practice with Presence Oriented Relationship Therapy. Drawing on the expertise of John and Julie Gottman, Sue Johnson, Harville Hendrix, Stan Tatkin, Ellen and Peter Pearson you'll learn an integrative framework for achieving powerful, consistent results for your clients.

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Advanced Training in Couples and Relationship Therapy

Specializing in Infidelity, Communication, and Emotional Conflict Resolution for Relationship Therapists

Professional Training Library

Why Choose PORT Institute for Couples Therapy Training?

The PORT Institute is designed for therapists seeking specialized, advanced training in couples therapy. PORT offers a unique approach focused on emotional presence, helping therapists address complex issues like infidelity, communication breakdowns, and emotional conflict.

With PORT, you’ll gain practical tools for engaging both partners, fostering emotional regulation, and rebuilding trust within relationships.

Whether you're an experienced therapist looking for professional development or exploring specialization in couples therapy, PORT provides progressive strategies to expand your skill set and deliver effective results.

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Introduction to Presence Oriented Relationship Therapy

Presence Oriented Relationship Therapy (PORT)

Created as a training model, PORT is a solution focused relationship therapy. PORT identifies specific relationship targets for a couple which were developed based upon the key insights over the last 40 years. These insights are based on research and practice of John and Julie Gottman, Imago Relationship Therapy, Emotionally Focussed Therapy, PACT, Heart and the Developmental Model. PORT recognizes that couples are in each other’s care and utilizing this relationship allows for powerful validation, motivation, support and effectiveness.

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The PORT Institute offers CEs and CPDs for some trainings. Learn more

What PORT Users are Saying

Focus on Emotional Presence

PORT Level 1 was great information but PORT 2 is a must if you really want to understand and get to practise (in the Zoom break out rooms) the "how" of PORT. It's more intimate and I greatly enjoyed getting to know the other participants in the course. Well worth the investment of time and finances.

Understand and Practise

I've recently completed the Port Level 1 and 2 courses with Steven, Dan, and the Relate team, and it has been an incredible experience. Not only did I gain valuable knowledge, but I also had the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share the same passion for helping couples transition from conflict to deeper intimacy. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone interested in expanding their expertise in this field. The wealth of knowledge offered is truly extraordinary.

Working with Intimate Partner Betrayal

The progression from elementary principles and issues to methodology and 'chaos' factors that present in this issue combine to make a very practical mix of clinical application, working framework and neurobiology. A lovely balance between assertive yet compassionate, directive yet enabling, rational yet caring. A rare mix indeed. This perhaps is one of the best webinars I have ever attended. The one disappointment; I wish I could have sat in a live environment and just talked over coffee with these guys!

Blog posts

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Understanding the Relational Brain Model: How Neuroscience Can Transform Couples Therapy

Therapeutic approaches are constantly evolving, and nowhere is this more evident than in the growing emphasis on the neuroscience behind relationships. Research in the fields of neurobiology, attac...

Presence Is the Core of Effective Couples Therapy

IntroductionIf you’ve been exploring ways to deepen your effectiveness as a couples therapist—or simply enhance your practice—you’re in the right place. Here, we’ll dive into one of the most pivota...

PORT: An Integrated Approach to Couples Therapy

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 thera...