Relationship difficulties are some of the most painful experiences we face. Whether you're navigating conflict, rebuilding trust, or simply wanting to communicate better, skilled support can make a real difference.
Relationships (romantic, familial, or otherwise) are central to our wellbeing. When they're struggling, everything else feels harder. Couples and family therapy provides a structured, neutral space to be heard, understood, and to work through difficulties together.
Our psychologists are trained in evidence-based relationship therapies and work with all relationship structures (couples, families, blended families, co-parenting arrangements, and more). LGBTQIA+ affirming.
Sometimes individual sessions alongside couples work can also be helpful. We'll discuss what structure makes most sense for your situation.
Your psychologist acts as a skilled, impartial guide, ensuring both perspectives are heard and creating the conditions for real dialogue to happen.
You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from couples or family therapy. Many people come to strengthen an already good relationship, prepare for major life changes, or develop communication skills before patterns get entrenched.
We work with whole families (parents and children together) to improve communication, address conflict, navigate a child's mental health difficulties, or process significant family changes.
There's no single "right" reason to start couples or family therapy. If it's causing you distress, it's worth addressing.
Feeling unheard, arguments that go nowhere, or an inability to talk about difficult things without it escalating, rebuilding the foundation of connection.
Rebuilding after an affair or breach of trust, processing hurt and betrayal, and deciding together what the relationship looks like going forward.
Emotional distance, loss of closeness, or changes in physical intimacy, reconnecting and understanding what's shifted between you.
Disagreements about parenting approaches, co-parenting after separation, or navigating a child's mental health, working as a united team for your family.
Navigating the end of a relationship with care, minimising harm, especially for children, and processing grief alongside the practicalities.
Adjusting to step-parenting, half-siblings, or complex family structures, understanding each person's experience and building new ways of relating.
New parenthood, illness, relocation, financial stress, or career change (how big life events affect relationship dynamics and how to navigate them together).
Building skills and understanding before committing to marriage or long-term partnership, an investment in the foundation of your relationship.
Processing the death of a loved one, serious illness, or other significant loss together, supporting each other while managing your own grief.
Couples and family therapy is structured to ensure everyone feels heard, from the very first session.
Contact us by phone or email. We'll ask a brief intake question or two about your situation to ensure we match you with the right psychologist. For couples, both people should ideally agree to the process, though one person can make the initial enquiry.
Your first session is usually a joint session, with all parties present. Your psychologist will listen to each person's perspective, explore the key concerns, and begin to understand the relationship's strengths and patterns. This is not a place for point-scoring; it's a place for understanding.
In some cases, your psychologist may suggest one or two individual sessions for each person. This can help them understand each person's experience more fully and ensure the joint sessions are as productive as possible.
Ongoing sessions (typically fortnightly) focus on specific issues, teach communication and repair skills, and help you practise new ways of relating, both in and between sessions. There's often "homework" between appointments, small practices to try in real life.
Your psychologist will regularly review progress with you and adjust the focus as needed. Some couples reach their goals in 8–12 sessions; others continue for longer. You're always in control of how and when you conclude.
Our relationship therapists draw on evidence-based models, adapting their approach to your specific situation and goals.
One of the most rigorously researched couples therapies, building friendship, managing conflict constructively, and creating shared meaning.
Understanding the emotional bond beneath relationship patterns, helping couples and families shift from negative cycles to secure, responsive connection.
Understanding each person within the context of the whole family, examining roles, patterns, and dynamics that have developed over time.
Identifying thought patterns and behaviours that fuel conflict or distance, building practical communication and problem-solving skills.
Exploring the stories you each hold about the relationship and each other, separating the problem from the person and writing a new chapter together.
Understanding how our early attachment experiences shape our adult relationships, developing deep empathy and intentional dialogue between partners.
Couples and family therapy is offered by Julijana, Samina, and Tim, each with specific training and experience in relationship and family work. We'll match you with the best fit based on your situation and availability.
All of our therapists work within an inclusive, non-judgmental framework and are experienced with LGBTQIA+ clients and diverse family structures.
Book online, call us, or email. We'll match you with the right therapist and find a time that works for everyone.
Book an AppointmentOr call 03 9989 3380. We're here Monday to Friday.