Couples counselling with me offers a supportive and non-judgemental space to help you and your partner explore challenges in your relationship. Whether you’re navigating conflict, struggling with communication, or feeling disconnected, we’ll work together to understand and address the underlying dynamics at play. My focus is on creating a safe environment where both partners can feel heard and valued, fostering greater understanding and empathy. Through our work, we’ll explore ways to rebuild trust, deepen connection, and develop healthier patterns of relating, helping you move toward a stronger, more fulfilling relationship.
Purpose: During our initial contact, we can arrange a time to meet and discuss any immediate questions or concerns. This allows you both to get comfortable with the idea of counselling and set expectations.
Forms: I will send both of you forms to complete, either online or to bring with you to the first session. These forms will include details about your relationship, current challenges, and goals for therapy.
Discussion: In our first session, each of you will have the opportunity to share why you’ve sought counselling together and what you hope to achieve. This is also an opportunity to clarify what couples counselling entails and how I can support both of you.
Joint and Individual Perspectives: I encourage both partners to express their individual experiences, thoughts, and feelings about the relationship. At times, we may discuss certain issues separately if needed, but the focus will always be on improving the relationship as a whole.
Collaborative Approach: It’s important that we work together, so if something doesn’t feel right or if you have questions about the process, I invite you to bring them up. Communication is key, and I’ll encourage you to share openly throughout the sessions.
After the First Session: Both of you will have some time to reflect on how the session felt and whether you think counselling will be helpful. It’s important to assess whether you feel comfortable with me as your counsellor and whether you both believe the process can support your relationship.
Commitment to 6 Weekly Sessions: If both of you feel positive about continuing, we’ll commit to six weekly sessions. This provides a structured period for us to work through issues together and begin the process of change.
The Nature of the Work: Couples counselling involves talking, but also reflection, problem-solving, and learning new ways to communicate and interact. The work is focused not just on talking about issues but on actively improving how you connect with each other.
Modality and Insights: I will use an integrative approach, drawing from different therapeutic models to support both of you in understanding each other better and addressing patterns that might be contributing to difficulties.
The Road map of Change: Initially, the goal is for both of you to feel heard and supported within the counselling space. I want you to feel safe and understood as individuals and as partners. Once that trust is built, we will begin focusing on deeper work — improving communication, resolving conflict, addressing unhelpful patterns, and nurturing the emotional connection between you both.
Evaluation: After six sessions, we will reflect on the work we’ve done. I’ll share observations on where we’ve made progress and areas that still require attention. I will make suggestions for the next steps, whether that involves continuing in counselling or focusing on particular areas for self-work or further sessions.
Why 6 Weeks? Six weeks provides enough time to explore the dynamics of your relationship, build trust in the counselling process, and begin addressing key issues that may be impacting your connection. It’s a manageable commitment that allows for real progress to take place.
What Happens Next: If the work has been successful, we may discuss moving into deeper, long-term work or transitioning to occasional check-ins. If after six weeks you feel that the work has been beneficial but there’s more to address, we may decide to extend the sessions.
Successes and Changes: The goal is for both partners to feel more connected, understood, and capable of resolving conflicts in healthier ways. Ideally, you will have learned tools and strategies to navigate future challenges and will have strengthened your relationship.