The Gottman Certification
As we considered the need that many couples have for relationship therapy, we were drawn to The Gottman Institute with the methods developed by Dr. John Gottman based on his extensive research.
Why Choose Best Marriages?
Since 2000, Best Marriages has been helping couples strengthen their relationships through professional, research-based marriage counselling in Canada. We are now one of the country’s largest specialized centers for Marriage and Couples Therapy, dedicated to removing the stigma around seeking help, and making counselling a positive, effective experience.
When you choose Best Marriages, you work directly with leaders in the field. Owners Darren Wilk and Lawrence Stoyanowski are Certified Gottman Therapists and the official Canadian representatives of the world-renowned Gottman Institute. They are also Certified Workshop Presenters, Senior Certification Consultants, and Advanced Clinical Trainers for Gottman Method Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 professional training programs for therapists.
Alongside our private counselling services, Best Marriages provides Gottman Method Couples Workshops to couples across Canada. We offer these workshops in Vancouver, BC annually in April and October. You can learn more about our events here: Workshops & Training Events
Darren and Lawrence have also been invited to present at the Gottman Institute in Seattle—an honor shared by only a select few therapists worldwide—as the Gottmans transition out of leading events themselves.
At Best Marriages, our mission is simple: to provide couples with the highest level of care, backed by proven strategies and delivered with compassion. If you’re looking for trusted experts in marriage counseling and couples therapy in Canada, you’ll find them here.
At present time all of our counsellors are marriage specialists, Certified by the Gottman Institute.
The Gottman Institute and Best Marriages
The Gottman Institute, based in Seattle, Washington, was founded by Drs. John and Julie Gottman to give couples practical, research-backed tools for creating stronger relationships. Recognized worldwide as pioneers in marriage and parenting research, the Gottman’s are often referred to as the original “love doctors.” Their work is considered the gold standard in couples therapy, blending decades of groundbreaking scientific study with practical, effective strategies.
At Best Marriages, we are proud to be the official Canadian representatives of the Gottman Institute. Our founders, Darren and Lawrence, are Certified Gottman Therapists, Workshop Presenters, Certification Consultants and Advanced Clinical Trainers—equipped to train and mentor other therapists in the Gottman Method. They also lead Gottman Couples Workshops and Professional Training Events across Canada, bringing world-class relationship tools directly to the couples and professionals who need them most.
What sets the Gottman Method apart is its foundation in intensive, long-term research on why marriages succeed or fail—making it one of the most trusted approaches to relationship counselling worldwide. In recognition of his impact, Dr. John Gottman was named one of the Top 10 Most Influential Therapists of the Past 25 Years by Psychotherapy Networker.
Through our close partnership with the Gottman Institute, Best Marriages is honored to carry this legacy forward in Canada—helping couples access proven strategies for lasting love and connection.
What are the credentials of Certified Gottman Therapists?
The Highest Standard in Couples Therapy
At Best Marriages, our commitment to excellence is reflected in the credentials of our team. Every Certified Gottman Therapist holds a Master’s Degree or higher in the mental health field and brings years of clinical experience to their practice.
Certification through the Gottman Institute is one of the most rigorous training programs in the world for couples therapy. Therapists must complete advanced coursework, demonstrate clinical expertise, and undergo extensive evaluation to achieve this designation.
This level of training ensures that when you work with a Certified Gottman Therapist at Best Marriages, you are receiving care grounded in decades of research and delivered at the highest professional standard. It is our way of ensuring that every couple has access to proven strategies, expert guidance, and the very best support available.
