Neil Jacobson

Neil Jacobson pioneered the development of behavioral martial therapy building on original work conducted by his supervisor Robert Weiss

He published a book with Gail Margolin, which launched a social learning model of couples therapy. In this model of therapy, partners learn to be nicer to each other through behavioral exchange (contingency contracts), communicate better and improve their conflict-resolution skills. Early support came when Gottman found that as long as the ratio of positive to negative interactions remains at least five to one, the relationship is sturdy. When the ratio dips below there is a 94 percent chance that a couple will divorce.