What are the first few sessions of couples counselling like?
The first four sessions are assessment sessions, a vital part of treatment. We need to identify what your relationship strengths and needs are. Check out the process here. Once we’ve done the assessment and have a road map, we will meet regularly as often as practical, to give you the best chance to make positive changes quickly. Once you’ve got some new realtionship skills under your belt, we will stretch out the time in between sessions and then evenatully phase therapy out.
How long does the counselling process last?
It depends on what your needs are. Every couple is unique and we will work together to decide on what works for you. Some couples meet intensively for a few weeks with me and then move towards regular check-in sessions. Other couples opt to meet for regular and frequent sessions over a longer time period.
What Happens If We Fight During The Session?
If fighting and arguing is a problem for you in your relationship, it makes sense that you may be worried about fighting during sessions. One of the goals that many couples have is to learn how to have difficult conversations in a new way – that doesn’t involve out of control fighting. Part of my job is to make sure that during sessions you feel safe, so we will work on how to make the sessions a time where fights aren’t out of control. We will work on how to have an argument where you aren’t hurting each other.
Will You Always See Us As A Couple Or Will You Ever See Us Individually?
In the beginning stage of of therapy, I will meet with you each individually so that I can get to know you better and understand your unique needs in the relationship. Once we begin the treatment, our sessions will be joint sessions. If you want to meet individually, we can talk about this and how that may be helpful (or not) for your relationship,
DO YOU OFFER ONLINE COUPLES therapy?
Once you have done some sessions in person, online sessions might work. Online sessions may be an ideal option after we have worked together in an intensive way, such as a marathon therapy. In this option, we meet for two days of intensive sessions, and if it is right for you, we can then continue to work together via a secure online video meeting.
Do you have a 'pro marriage' (or 'pro stay-in-your-relationship-no-matter-what') orientation ?
I am pro-healthy-relationship. There are times when a relationship is not healthy, and if that is the case, I can help you to decide what the next steps are for you.
Can I come for counselling without my partner?
It’s not unusual for couples to be at different stages of readiness to go to therapy. If we meet without your partner, we can do that for one or two sessions, and work on how to share with your partner your needs to work on the relationship and the benefits of coming to sessions together. After two sessions, if your partner isn’t ready to come, we can continue to meet individually and how you can be the best version of you in your relationship. If your partner then decides they want to come to couples therapy, I can help to find you someone to see as a couple.
I'm not sure whether or not I want to continue my relationship with my partner. Should I still come for therapy?
Ideally, I’d love to see you both to help you decide the future of your relationship. If this isn’t an option, I would love to meet with you to help you decide what is right for you.
Will your therapy services be helpful to me if I'm not currently in a couple relationship?
Absolutely! I’d love to help you learn and practice healthy relationship skills in any and all of your relationships. I’d love to help you with personal issues (such as depression, anxiety, past trauma) that may be interfering with you being able to be in a couple.
Where is your office located?
I am located in Bangalow, NSW at the Bangalow Professional Centre. This is next door to the Banglow Medical Centre. I’ve include a map here.