Couples counselling

Being in a relationship can bring both joy and pain, sometimes in the same day. Every couple faces challenges. It's important to realise that these problems don't appear suddenly and may require time and help to resolve. If you are both dedicated to making things better, couples counselling can help. I use proven methods from experts like John and Julie Gottman (The Gottman Method), Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (Sue Johnson), Relational Life Therapy (Terry Real) and Elliot Connie (Solution-Focused Couples Therapy).

When is it the right time to come for Couple counselling?

The short answer is the sooner the better. There are considerations that will help you decide if you are ready.

Ask yourself these questions:

Do we both feel physically safe in this relationship?
Do we both want to work on improving our relationship?
Is there still room for hope in our hearts?
Are we prepared to make room to prioritise our relationship at this point in time, to do the work required?
Do either of us have a known mental health condition or substance addiction that is not being managed? If this is the case, it is likely I will encourage some individual input away from the couples sessions and this may need to commence prior to considering sessions as a couple. Learning how to better support your partner if these exist can be incorporated in our counselling.
Is there an active external intimate relationship (emotional and/ or physical) that is not agreed on by both of you, or causing intimacy barriers? If there is, it may be more appropriate to seek individual counselling initially. I am open to an initial session to discuss suitability to go forward with relationship counselling.
Has one of you been an individual client for more than three sessions with me in the past? This usually means the other person needs to be agreeable to move to couple counselling.
If you have children, you will need to arrange someone to care for them while you are at sessions as I want you to be able to focus! If you are breast feeding a baby under 8 months, please speak to me about bringing the child if this is a less stressful option.
Age is no barrier.

If you would like to discuss about your situation, a free confidential 15 minute chat is available, book using the button on the front page.

How does it work?

My first priority is to ensure the safety of both of you and to be confident you are committed to the process.

Initially, we will have

A couple’s session (90 min) This session, will help determine if couple’s work is the best way forward, or another form of help is most appropriate. If couple’s work is appropriate, we progress to…
Individual sessions for each person (45- 60min)
Ongoing couple’s sessions of 1hr to 1.5 hr duration.

For cost, please refer to my Fees Tab.

Once this assessment phase is completed, therapy tailored to your relationship begins.

Sessions have both an emotional and a practical approach, so be prepared to work! You will receive relationship tools and training that will improve your skills and emotional connection for a stronger, healthier relationship.

How many sessions will we need?

Every couple is different, however at least ten sessions is usually a bare minimum for lasting change and ideally a commitment to at least fortnightly sessions.

Depending on your circumstances, I may request you complete an online assessment.

Pre- marriage Coaching.

Did you know that Australian couples typically spend over $40,000 on the BIG DAY?

While the movies indicate you are both madly in love, it’s not uncommon to have some anxieties around setting up for what you hope is a life long commitment. It sounds like good sense, then, to consider spending a small fraction of your preparation costs on a wonderful program called Prepare Enrich. This program takes stock of your attitudes towards common life issues, your family background and how this might influence your relationship in the future. These sessions provide you with opportunity to express concerns in a safe facilitated environment with a counsellor.

Completion of an online Prepare Enrich assessment each and 3 x 1 hour pre- marriage couples' sessions using this well-validated program is available for a cost of $450, with an option for additional sessions.