Frequently Asked Questions

The first session is a 90 minute session, which both of you will attend (I will always see you together as a couple for every session). We will get to know each other and begin to hear and understand your stories as individuals and as a couple. At the beginning of the session, we will go through the consent forms and confidentiality agreement that I will then ask you to sign.

 All sessions, except for the first one,  last for a full 60 minutes and cost $135 per couple (paid on the day of the consultation). The first session takes a little longer and will cost $150 per couple. Please allow 90 minutes for this session so that I can understand your 'story'. 

Yes, absolutely. It is essential for couples in therapy who are talking about very personal topics to trust that what they say will be held in confidence. That is why you will sign a consent form where privacy and confidentiality issues will be clearly explained. Any notes taken will be securely stored and nobody but myself will be able to access them. 

Of course, this will depend on how the therapy progresses and will vary from couple to couple, but on average, 10 to 12 sessions is required. Some couples may only need 2 or 3 sessions, but this is rare. Even a few sessions may be better than none, however! Weekly sessions are recommended, but fortnightly is also fine, so allow 3 to 6 months for your therapy treatment.

Emotionally Focused Therapy is very useful in helping us to explore together the deep core emotions that may be the result of traumatic experiences. You will not be judged or labeled. EFT is a nonpathological therapy, which simply means we don't look for diagnoses. Instead, we  look at how (in line with attachment theory) all humans follow similar patterns when they bond and connect in relationships. EFT often works very well with trauma.

You can pay by cash or card on the day of your appointment. PayID and internet transfer can also be organized if that suits you better. 

Yes, there is room onsite for parking both cars; street parking is also available.. 

Some therapies work better than others with couples. Emotionally Focused Therapy has been validated by research and has a high success rate in healing relationships; if you are both sincere about trying to solve your issues and change the music of your dance, you may be surprised at how this can help heal you both and greatly improve your relationship. Don't let one unsuccessful counselling experience stop you from trying a different approach; your happiness is worth it.

When relationships go wrong, often one partner will make 'bids' for connection while the other will sometimes withdraw. This is fairly common, and the 'withdrawing' partner may not see the point in therapy, but for there to be improvement, they should still be willing to try.   It is important for both partners to be present for real progress to be made, and also for openness and trust to be established between us all. That is why I will only see individuals in exceptional circumstances.

If your partner cannot see an issue with your relationship but you can, this in itself is clearly  an issue that needs to be explored so that you can both feel connected and content. If you explain this to your partner but they still refuse to come, it is unlikely that therapy would be effective at this point. You will need to convince your partner that you are not happy and wish to work on and improve the relationship  for it to continue. However, try not to make them feel that you think they are the problem. When people feel blamed, they tend to withdraw. It may be a matter of taking some time to help your partner see that therapy can improve the quality of the relationship for both of you.. 

Although all relationships endure stressful times and most couples fight occasionally, you will know deep down if you are generally happy with your partner. If you find yourself fighting over the same issues over and over, or you have stopped  talking about the important things  or have 'shut down' altogether --- or if your partner has shut down and you are constantly nagging them in order to feel close, or to get an emotional reaction--- if you find yourself wishing you were alone, or tempted to have an affair, or you don't feel emotionally 'safe' or secure with your partner, these are pretty clear signs your relationship is in trouble. It might be time to talk to your partner about couples therapy. But when you do, please do remember that the issue is not 'them' or 'you' -- the issue is the relationship. Blaming one partner never helps.

Sometimes 'therapy' and 'counselling' are used interchangeably, but counselling often refers to a  more cognitive, 'top down' 'talking' approach, whereas therapy, (and in particular Emotionally Focused Therapy) is a 'bottom up' approach that works on the level of our deepest core emotions that we are not always attuned with on a rational level, and which don't always respond to cognitive approaches.