Couple Relaxing in Hammock

Relationship Space

In the Relationship Space, I provide services that support couples working through a range of issues arising in relationships including infidelity, trust issues, difficulty with communication and conflict, life transitions, parenting and also in making big choices about relationships and working through separations where necessary.

My approach is strongly focused on what happens between the couple.  Research shows that there are many facets to strong relationships and the aim is to work through a process of assessing the relationship with the couple and targeting practical interventions to problem areas.  This approach acknowledges that each relationship is different and ensures that counselling targets the most crucial areas first, often around conflict, but it also ensures that the areas of the relationship associated with growth and connectedness are also addressed.

It is essential that couples learn how to disagree effectively as differences of opinions are inevitable in any relationship.
Having good conflict management skills is not enough to make a strong relationship and I help support couples in coming to understand and connect with one another in meaningful ways and create strong, resilient family units.  Couples are also assisted to identify their areas of ‘gridlock’ (issues that keep coming up again and again through life) and rather than keep having the same arguments repeated, tools are provided to create meaningful dialogue around these areas as a means of helping couples to better understand each other.

The aim is to educate and empower couples, providing them with tools and skills, practice in counselling, that they are then able to take home and utilize on an ongoing basis, creating a new way of relating to one another that brings meaning and connectedness to their relationship.

Marriage Counselling

Marriage counselling in the Relationship Space addresses the abundance of issues that come with creating a life with another person.  Some of these include issues with trust and infidelity, conflict and connectedness and intimacy and companionship.  Following are some of the issues that are commonly addressed in marriage counselling:

  • Infidelity – processing and healing from affairs and breaches of trust can be very painful within relationships. At the Relationship Space I utilize evidence based practice to help the couple heal from the trauma, process grief and rebuild their relationship.

  • Conflict – conflict is a normal part of relationships, however, the way that we approach conflict can spell the difference between a happy relationship and the dissolution of a relationship. I use practical tools that help couples to learn how to bring up and work through issues as they come up, particularly those that keep coming up again and again in relationships.

  • Disconnection and loss of intimacy – quite often couples experience a loss of intimacy and connectedness. I utilize practical tools to bring couples back to feeling like lovers rather than flatmates.

  • Stress management – Managing stress is the key to healthy relationships and good mental health in general. In acknowledgement of this, I focus strongly on the management of stress in the family.

  • Fertility issues – working with issues around fertility and the stress, trauma and grief that can accompany them is vital to helping couples move through these issues in a connected, supportive way.

  • Parenting – research shows that 70% of couples experience a decrease in marital satisfaction as a result of becoming parents. I utilize practical skills to support parents in working together as a team, creating a connected family and managing the stresses that go with parenting in a productive way.

  • Managing emotions – many couples have different ways of relating to emotions. I can support couples in better understanding these differences and the way they impact relationships.

  • Enhancing friendship  – a couple’s friendship is a crucial component of a marriage. Supporting couples to feel more connected, familiar and intimate with one another on an emotional level is the foundation of a strong relationship

  • Sex/intimacy issues – managing intimacy issues which arise within relationships is also crucial to supporting couples to feel connected with one another.

  • Coping with trauma and grief – often couples must cope with trauma and grief either arising within the relationship or outside of the relationship. I am are trained in the treatment of trauma and am able to support couples to work through these issues.

  • Life transitions – many couples struggle with adjusting to major life transitions. Helping couples to work through these transitions in a connected way and understand the meanings for one another is a key element of couples counselling.

  • Coping with extended families – dealing with relationships with in-laws, children from other marriages, ex-partners, family members and friends can place stress on a relationship and working through these issues allows each partner to feel supported.

I believe that healthy relationships with others, as well as an engaged, active self-awareness allows individuals and couples to build resilience and cope with life in a world that can, at times, be stressful. My wealth of experience helps to support couples with a wide range of issues.

N

ew Relationships

When you first start dating a new partner, you may be feeling cautious and guarded due to a past relationship that left you hurt. I can help you carry forward into this new partnership by deconstructing and unscripting the repetitive narrative and dynamic you play out in your relationships.

Working on your relationship in therapy in the preliminary stages of your connection seems counterintuitive because you may not have a particular issue. This is actually a fantastic time to access the window of change that presents itself, well before you are in a crisis.
Learning effective communication, learning about both you and your partners needs and learning about the dynamic at play allows the relationship to stay positive and harmonious. By creating small shifts and openly communicating, you will have the tools for a successful relationship that is long lasting.
Having an open dialogue early on can alter negative interaction cycles you may develop later with your partner. Relationship counselling is intrinsically beneficial for all participants to learn resolution skills to sustain new and past relationships.

 

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Fees & Medcare

Relationship / Couples Therapy is NOT covered by Medicare

GP Mental Health Care Plan for Individual Therapy

GP REFERRAL & MHCP – For initial Psychologist sessions
• The GP mental health care plan is for 6 Psychologist visits.
• Maximum 10 rebated Psychologist visits allowed per year.
• GP review is required before the 7th Psychologist visit.

FIRST GP REVIEW – For further Psychologist sessions

• GP Review for more visits – 4 weeks after MHCP referral.
• Medicare confirm a standard review is for up to 6 more visits.
• But, only 4 more visits can be rebated in same year as MHCP.
• If still current, the 2 holdover visits can be rebated next year.

SECOND GP REVIEW – For further Psychologist sessions

• A 2nd GP Review can be done 3 months after the 1st Review
• Psychologist visits – still a maximum of 10 per calendar year.