Relationship, Marriage and Couples Counselling

Difficulty navigating conflict is the top reason couples seek help

Discover healthier ways to navigate conflict, deepen connection and intimacy and build the foundation for a lifetime of love with evidence-based couples therapy.

Getting Started is Simple

1
Make an Appointment

Discuss your challenges and concerns with a Couples Therapist. Together, you will develop a plan to achieve your goals.

Make an Appointment >

2
Commence Therapy

Evidence-based methods such as the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) have proven effective in managing relationship issues and improving satisfaction.

3
Experience the Benefits

Discover the benefits of couples therapy: enhance closeness and intimacy, replace negative conflict patterns with positive interactions, and create a meaningful life together.

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Couples Therapists in Brisbane

Claire Pang

I am a Couples Therapist and Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of experience working with adults. I have a special interest in helping couples with a wide range of relationship problems. I believe in supporting strong relationships as it is an incredibly powerful way to improve individuals’ wellbeing.

I help couples learn practical relationship strategies based on the Gottman Couple Therapy methods, a successful approach supported by decades of empirical evidence. The structured and goal-directed framework provides couples with a roadmap to target their specific problems and helps them to create strong and intimate bonding.

I pay particular attention to building positive expectations at the commencement of therapy and favour experiential approaches that help people quickly shift their inner experiences from despair to hopefulness, from reactiveness to understanding.

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Chris Hepperlin

I am an experienced Couples Therapist and Clinical Psychologist who seeks to understand your goals and priorities and to work with you with empathy, compassion and skill. I help adults with Relationship and Couples Counselling, among other presentations.

I help couples struggling to build safe and satisfying long-term intimate relationships.

While understanding the importance of creativity and the ‘art of therapy’, I am committed to evidence-based practice. I utilise approaches and knowledge that derive from systematic scientific study. For Couples Counselling, I use the PACT Method.

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Dr Jane Austin

I am a Couples Therapist and Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience. I work with adults, both as individuals and couples. My authentic, warm and direct style allows me to initiate and grow relationships with my clients, navigate challenging conversations and quickly grasp client needs.

For Couples Counselling, I use evidence-based methods such as the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focussed Therapy (EFT), Schema Therapy and EMDR Therapy.

I have a PhD in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology from The University of Queensland and am a member of the Australian Psychological Society.

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How satisfied are you in your relationship?

Take this assessment to find out.

This validated self-assessment is designed to assess the level of satisfaction within romantic relationships.

Whether you’re in a new relationship, a long-term partnership, or experiencing some doubts or conflicts, get started and assess your level of relationship satisfaction.

START COUPLES SATISFACTION ASSESSMENT

Counselling Room Atmosphere and Ambience

Couples Counselling Research

Research studies find that couples counselling can help 70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery, and approximately 90% show significant improvements in relationship satisfaction [1].

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Key Signs Your Relationship is in Need of Counselling

Noticing early warning signs of relationship breakdown can help couples resolve conflict and seek relationship counselling.

Criticism

Attacking your partner’s character, trying to make yourself right and them wrong.

Defensiveness

Seeing yourself as the victim, making excuses, not listening etc.

Expressions of Contempt

Attacking the other through sarcasm, abuse, and body language such as sneering or rolling the eyes.

Stonewalling

Withdrawing through silence, monosyllabic answers or moving away.

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Couples Counselling FAQs

What are the benefits of couples therapy?

Couples therapy offers several benefits to couples experiencing difficulties in their relationship.

One of the main advantages partners experience through couples counselling is the improvement of their communication skills. Communication is the bedrock of healthy relationships, and couples counselling can help you and your partner learn how to express your needs sustainably and respectfully. Couples can develop better communication patterns and break free from destructive cycles of blame and defensiveness through guided exercises and learning communication techniques from a couples counsellor.

Couples counselling also provides a neutral space for partners to explore their emotions and concerns safely. Your couples counsellor will work with you and your partner to create a non-judgmental environment where you can express your feelings without fear of criticism or rejection. Working in a safe and neutral environment is critical to allowing couples to cultivate empathy and better understand each other. Safety will enable couples to build a stronger emotional bond, rebuild trust and restore intimacy.

How does couples therapy work?

Couples counselling involves a series of sessions in which you and your partner meet with a professional couples counsellor or therapist. A couples counsellor will work with you and your partner and guide you through discussions and exercises to address your specific needs and challenges.

Couples counselling sessions are adapted to your specific needs and objectives to allow you to explore the underlying issues that contribute to relationship difficulties. During couples counselling, you and your partner will learn valuable tools and techniques to improve your communication and problem-solving skills.

Your couples counsellor will help you both identify patterns of behaviour that cause conflict and provide guidance on how to identify and change those behaviours. When you can understand yourself and each other, you and your partner can work towards resolving conflicts and rebuilding trust.

What if my partner does not want couples counselling?

There are times when only one partner is interested in engaging in couples therapy. If this is the case, you can start by booking an individual appointment with a psychologist to work through your relationship issues. Positive change in one partner can lead to a positive impact for both partners in a relationship. As a result, your partner may feel more confident or comfortable about attending sessions as a couple. At times, if one of the partners has been attending sessions individually with a psychologist, the couple may need to seek couples counselling from a different therapist to avoid a conflict of interest.

How much does couples counselling cost?

A couples therapist’s out-of-pocket investment or gap fee depends on various factors, such as the therapist fee and any rebates you may be entitled to. Most private health insurance funds provide rebates for couples counselling, depending on your ‘extras’ coverage. To determine whether you are covered, call your private health insurer and find out the exact rebate amounts you would be entitled to. More information about fees and rebates can be found here: PSYCHOLOGIST FEES AND REBATES >

What is EFT Couples Therapy?

EFT for couples is an evidence-based experiential therapeutic approach used in relationship counselling that prioritises building strong and secure connections between partners first and foremost.

The main goal of EFT is to help couples create a secure attachment, which means having a close, safe, and loving bond and increasing each individual’s coping and overall stress management.

Securely attached people navigate the trials of life with greater ease than those who are insecurely attached. There is nothing like knowing that a precious loved one has your back to help you to face what life throws at you.

Overcoming Relationship Issues with EFT Therapy

EFT for couples focuses on the importance of emotions and attachment processes in organising interactions between two partners. It uses emotions as the agent of change in these interactions. Research has shown that it produces a 70-73% recovery rate from marital distress and a 90% rate of significant improvement after 10-12 sessions^.

EFT works by the Relationship Therapist expanding on each partner’s emotional responses, re-framing the problem in terms of the negative interaction cycle itself rather than any individual’s fault, and finally creating new and more flexible interactions between the partners. The goal is for each partner to feel a secure and trusting bond.

What an EFT Couples Therapy Session Looks Like

Through EFT, your Relationship Therapist works with both partners to build a strong alliance and bond of trust with each other. Following this, the work involves both partners starting to understand the destructive cycle at the heart of their relationship distress. This is achieved by slowing the process down in the session and focusing on underlying emotions and the needs driving these.

Each partner’s experience is seen as valid, and each is allowed to explore their emotions further. Once there is more safety in the relationship, and both partners are aware of their vulnerable feelings when the cycle is in full swing, they will be asked to communicate these vulnerable feelings and needs to each other. In this way, new interaction patterns are formed, and both partners can communicate more securely.

EFT for couples finishes with a consolidation phase, during which any remaining problems are overcome, and the new interaction patterns are strengthened.

1. Johnson, S.M. (2004). The practice of emotionally focused marital therapy: Creating Connection. New York: Bruner / Routledge.

What is the Gottman Method for couples?

The Gottman Method is an evidence-based couples therapy method developed by Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Gottman, renowned marriage and relationship counselling experts. Based on over 40 years of research, it is designed to help couples improve their relationships by strengthening their friendship, managing conflicts, and building a deeper emotional connection.

The Gottman Method provides support for couples at different phases of their relationship:

Couples struggling in their marriage or relationship
Couples unsure of the sustainability of their relationship
Couples who want to improve their closeness and bond
Pre-marriage counselling.

What is Schema Therapy for Couples?

Schema Therapy is an evidence-based approach to psychotherapy that helps individuals identify and change deeply ingrained patterns of thought, emotion, and behaviour that cause them distress. While Schema Therapy has traditionally been used to treat individuals, it can be adapted to help couples understand and change unhealthy relationship patterns.

Schema Therapy focuses on identifying and changing negative patterns of thinking and behaviour that are deeply ingrained. These patterns, called schemas, are developed in childhood and can persist into adulthood, influencing how individuals view themselves, others, and the world around them. By identifying and addressing negative schemas, partners can develop a deeper understanding of each other and a stronger emotional connection.

During marriage counselling, each partner’s schemas are typically identified through interviews, questionnaires, and other assessment tools. The Couples Therapist then works with each partner to understand how their schemas affect their behaviour and interactions with their partner. Coping strategies to address negative schemas can also be developed. This may involve learning new communication methods, setting boundaries, or developing new coping skills. By understanding each other’s schemas, partners can become more empathetic and compassionate towards each other, leading to greater intimacy and connection.

Overall, Schema Therapy can help partners better understand each other’s emotional needs and how to meet them. This can lead to greater intimacy and connection in the relationship.

How do I find the best couples therapist near me?

Finding the right couples counsellor for you and your partner is essential for therapeutic success. When seeking couples counselling, look for therapists experienced in couples therapy and working with similar relationship challenges.

Finding a couples counsellor with whom you and your partner feel comfortable is also essential. Take the time to find and learn about potential couples therapists in Brisbane or Online Therapy who you would like to work with by ensuring they align with your values and expectations and who can provide you with the support and guidance you need.

Make an Appointment

Send a request to a Psychologist in Brisbane by completing the form below.

Sources: The Gottman Institute, ICEEFT, The PACT Institute.

References: [1] Susan Johnson et al.

Relationship, Marriage and Couples Counselling

Difficulty navigating conflict is the top reason couples seek help

Getting Started is Simple

1
Make an Appointment

2
Commence Therapy

3
Experience the Benefits

Couples Therapists in Brisbane

Claire Pang

Chris Hepperlin

Dr Jane Austin

How satisfied are you in your relationship?

Couples Counselling Research

Key Signs Your Relationship is in Need of Counselling

Criticism

Defensiveness

Expressions of Contempt

Stonewalling

Couples Counselling FAQs

What are the benefits of couples therapy?

How does couples therapy work?

What if my partner does not want couples counselling?

How much does couples counselling cost?

What is EFT Couples Therapy?

Overcoming Relationship Issues with EFT Therapy

What an EFT Couples Therapy Session Looks Like

What is the Gottman Method for couples?

What is Schema Therapy for Couples?

How do I find the best couples therapist near me?

Make an Appointment

FIND A PSYCHOLOGIST

ASSESSMENTS & THERAPIES

HELP WITH

Relationship, Marriage and Couples Counselling

Difficulty navigating conflict is the top reason couples seek help

Getting Started is Simple

1Make an Appointment

2Commence Therapy

3 Experience the Benefits

Couples Therapists in Brisbane

Claire Pang

Chris Hepperlin

Dr Jane Austin

How satisfied are you in your relationship?

Couples Counselling Research

Key Signs Your Relationship is in Need of Counselling

Criticism

Defensiveness

Expressions of Contempt

Stonewalling

Couples Counselling FAQs

What are the benefits of couples therapy?

How does couples therapy work?

What if my partner does not want couples counselling?

How much does couples counselling cost?

What is EFT Couples Therapy?

Overcoming Relationship Issues with EFT Therapy

What an EFT Couples Therapy Session Looks Like

What is the Gottman Method for couples?

What is Schema Therapy for Couples?

How do I find the best couples therapist near me?

Make an Appointment

FIND A PSYCHOLOGIST

ASSESSMENTS & THERAPIES

HELP WITH

1
Make an Appointment

2
Commence Therapy

3
Experience the Benefits