What do you think about "Couple's Therapy" for co-founders?

I think this is why YC always advocates the founders know each other prior. My co-founders and I were all really good friends who worked on projects together at university but when time came we REALLY struggled. We took up coaching (which in my opinion was counseling) and set up up daily times where we can just communicate. We also changed to holding each other accountable to not just building a company we admire, but also helping each other be people we would admire. It really has changed my working life, and I think made everything a lot more efficient.

Still trying to get my co-founder in personal therapy actually HAHA, though this would be a start. We're just doing monthly retros for now. I definitely think that being friends first and having worked together on projects in the past helps!

I'm so glad this is getting talked about. Dr. Karen Bridbord does this through Founders Foundry (https://thefoundersfoundry.com/). As a Certified Gottman Therapist, she applies Gottman Method Couples Therapy to workplace relationships.

I think it's a great idea! A safe environment with a professional who's not biased. Also, for non co-founders such as married couples, I think the introduction of either a micro dose of Ketamine or a micro dose of ecstasy to bring out full emotions without holding anything back.

I think this would be beneficial if both founders are open to it! I've heard of athletes (ice dancer pairs, for example), going into couple's therapy to improve their communication and team work. If you are working that closely with someone towards a common goal and spend a lot of time together, I see why not.

Very interesting - would love to learn more!

Interesting idea! Coaching for founders is a well-established (but not universal obviously) practice that has a lot of fans and plenty of studies to back up efficacy. Curious how you might compare contrast coaching with “couples” therapy? Is therapy more backwards-looking? More emotionally focused?

Interesting! how to.......

Hey, this exists! Amity Chicago (https://www.amitychicago.com/) focuses on Founder/Co-Founder therapy. They are LMFTs (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists trained at Northwestern University) who noticed that co-founder and business relationships have a lot in common with romantic relationships (surprise!). They work with companies and VCs around the world and I'm sure they'd love to talk to you if you messaged them on their site.

yes its much needed. startups are hard. startups during pandemics, political dismay and division are a little extra difficult. I look forward to hearing about the solutions. currently I am appreciating the free podcasts at reboot.io.