Couples Therapy in Geelong & Online

Relationships can become difficult when communication breaks down, conflict becomes repetitive or partners feel increasingly disconnected.

Couples therapy provides a structured and supportive space to understand what is happening within the relationship and develop new ways of responding to each other.

I work with couples experiencing:

• communication difficulties
• recurring conflict
• emotional disconnection
• difficulties rebuilding trust
• differences in needs or expectations
• difficulties navigating major life changes
• parenting and family pressures
• relationship uncertainty
• patterns that leave both partners feeling stuck.

A structured approach

I use Gottman-informed and attachment-based approaches to understand each couple’s relationship patterns, strengths and areas for growth.

For couples beginning therapy, I generally use a structured assessment process involving:

Session 1: Couple assessment
Session 2: Individual session with each partner
Session 3: Individual session with the other partner
Session 4: Assessment feedback and therapeutic pathway

The assessment helps identify the patterns influencing the relationship and provides a foundation for deciding what therapeutic work is most appropriate.

Relationship counselling or relationship therapy?

Some couples seek help with a particular issue within an otherwise respectful relationship. Others are experiencing broader patterns of conflict, communication difficulties or disconnection.

The approach and level of assessment can be adapted to the circumstances of each couple.

Premarital Counselling

Preparing for a strong and fulfilling life together

Premarital counselling provides an opportunity to focus on the relationship you are building together, alongside the excitement and practical demands of planning a wedding.

It can help you develop greater awareness of your individual strengths, expectations and needs, while exploring areas that can have a significant impact on life together — including communication, managing differences, finances, intimacy, family and parenting, roles and responsibilities, values and future plans.

A structured assessment

I offer two structured relationship assessment approaches: PREPARE/ENRICH and the Gottman Relationship Checkup.

PREPARE/ENRICH provides a structured way to explore areas of strength and growth within your relationship and encourages meaningful conversations about your future together.

The Gottman Relationship Checkup is a comprehensive relationship assessment developed by The Gottman Institute. It explores areas including friendship and intimacy, emotions, conflict, values and trust, providing a foundation for identifying strengths and areas for further work.

The assessment is not a test that you pass or fail. It is an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of your relationship, have important conversations and identify practical relationship skills that can support your life together.

Areas we can explore

Premarital counselling can provide an opportunity to talk openly about:

• communication and managing differences
• conflict and how you each respond under stress
• expectations about marriage and shared responsibilities
• finances and decision-making
• intimacy and affection
• family relationships and boundaries
• children and parenting
• work, lifestyle and future plans
• values, beliefs and priorities
• the strengths you can build on as a couple.

The aim is to help you understand each other more deeply, have important conversations before they become difficult, and develop practical relationship skills for the life you are building together.