Marriage and Couples Counselling Brisbane

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.

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Couples Counselling in Brisbane & Online

Research and evidence-based Couples Counselling with experienced Clinical Psychologists

Claire Pang

Clinical Psychologist

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Dr Jane Austin

Clinical Psychologist

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Chris Hepperlin

Clinical Psychologist

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Alicia Firth

Registered Psychologist

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Are You Experiencing Relationship Issues?
Do you need Couples Counselling?

When your marriage or relationship is struggling, other areas of your life can be negatively impacted. Relationship issues can take the form of a repeating pattern of interaction, which is distressing to both partners, preventing emotional closeness and security in the relationship.

The most commonly seen pattern is ‘pursue – withdraw’, where one partner wants more closeness or connection than the other. Even not distressed couples, to some degree, can get caught in a pursue-withdraw pattern. The pursue-withdraw pattern is a common cause of divorce. If left unresolved, it will continue into a second marriage and subsequent intimate relationships. However, other patterns are also possible.

When these issues become deep-rooted and seem impossible to resolve, it is recommended that you seek professional help from a trained and experienced Couples Therapist. Relationship Counselling using evidence-based methods such as EFT and the Gottman Method are proven to be effective.

Why Couples Counselling is Worth Investing In

Couples counselling is not just a financial decision but rather an investment in the longevity and happiness of your relationship.

Successful relationships require nurturing and commitment. What sets successful couples apart lies in their ability to communicate effectively and navigate challenges together. Couples counselling can help couples explore and understand each other’s needs, resolve conflict and deepen their emotional bond.

Key Warning Signs That Your Relationship is in Distress

Noticing early warning signs of relationship breakdown can help a couple resolve conflicts or seek relationship counselling. Some of the warning signs that may indicate your relationship is in distress include:

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.

Marriage and Couples Counselling – Who Can Benefit?

Couples counselling is not just for married couples; it can benefit couples experiencing relationship difficulties or wanting to improve their communication and overall satisfaction.

Relationship counselling can be helpful for couples who are:

Struggling with communication. If a couple has difficulty expressing their feelings, thoughts, or needs, counselling can help them learn practical communication skills and improve their ability to communicate.
Dealing with conflicts. Conflict is inevitable in any relationship. However, if it becomes chronic, it can lead to serious relationship issues. Relationship counselling can help couples to learn how to resolve conflicts healthily and constructively.
Adjusting to significant life changes. Major life changes, such as having a baby, moving to a new city, or changing careers, can strain a relationship. Relationship counselling can help couples navigate these transitions and maintain their connection.
Struggling with trust issues. Trust is essential in any relationship. However, it can be challenging to build and maintain. If one or both partners have trust issues, counselling can help them to work through their fears and develop a stronger sense of trust and intimacy.
Seeking to enhance their relationship. Even when a relationship is healthy, relationship counselling can be a valuable tool for couples who want to deepen their emotional connection, improve their sex life, or strengthen their commitment to each other.

Couples counselling can benefit any couple seeking to improve their relationship and strengthen their bond. You can access relationship counselling services from a psychologist either in-clinic or via Online Therapy.

Evidence-based Methods Used in Couples Counselling

There are several evidence-based methods used by Psychologists that are effective in helping couples improve their relationships. The methods below are some examples, and other approaches may also be effective. It’s essential for couples to work with a qualified Relationship therapist or Couples counsellor who can help them identify the best approach for their needs.

1. EFT – Emotionally Focused Therapy

EFT helps couples identify and understand the emotions that drive their behaviour and develop new ways of communicating and interacting with their partner. EFT is effective in helping couples improve their relationship satisfaction and reduce conflict. More info >

2. The Gottman Method for Couples Counselling

This approach focuses on strengthening both partners’ friendship and emotional connection and developing effective communication and conflict-resolution skills. The Gottman Method can help couples improve their relationship satisfaction. More info >

3. Schema Therapy for Couples

Schema therapy is a powerful method that helps individuals identify and change deeply ingrained patterns of thought, emotion, and behaviour that cause distress. When applied to relationship counselling, schema therapy focuses on identifying and addressing the negative schemas that each partner brings into the relationship. That helps partners learn to change their behaviour in ways that promote a healthier relationship and develop a deeper understanding of each other. More info >

4. The Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) Model

1. Emotionally Focused Therapy EFT for Couples

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 coping and overall stress management for each individual.

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 through EFT for Couples

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 Counselling 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, where 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.

2. The Gottman Method for Relationship Counselling

The Gottman Method is an evidence-based couples therapy method developed by Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Gottman, renowned experts in the field of marriage and relationship counselling. The Gottman Method is based on over 40 years of research and is designed to help couples improve their relationship 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.

The Gottman Method is structured and goal-oriented. Typically, it involves a series of therapy sessions with a Gottman-trained and accredited psychologist or therapist. During these sessions, the psychologist works with the couple to identify areas of strength and areas for improvement in their relationship. They also teach them skills and strategies to help them improve their communication, better manage conflict, and build intimacy.

Some key principles of the Gottman Method include the following:

Strengthening the friendship and fondness between partners by focusing on positive interactions and building shared experiences.
Learning to manage conflicts constructively by using techniques such as active listening, compromise, and humour.
Developing shared goals and aspirations for the future and working together to achieve them.
Building intimacy and emotional connection by practising vulnerability, expressing appreciation and gratitude, and being attuned to each other’s emotional needs.

The Gottman Method is widely recognized as an effective form of couples counselling and has been shown to help couples improve their relationship satisfaction, communication, and overall wellbeing.

3. 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 ways of communicating, 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.

4. Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) Model

The Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) model is a form of couples therapy developed by Dr Stan Tatkin. The PACT model is based on the idea that couples counselling should focus on the underlying biological and neurological factors contributing to relationship dynamics and attachment styles.

The PACT model emphasises the importance of understanding the nervous system and how it affects behaviour and emotions in relationships. The therapy involves a variety of experiential exercises that help couples improve communication, deepen their connection, and better understand each other’s needs.

Some key features of the PACT model include:

Focusing on the present moment and the interactions between partners in real-time.
Helping couples understand their attachment styles and how they impact their relationship.
Providing education about the nervous system and how it affects behaviour and emotions.
Using experiential exercises to help couples practice new ways of interacting and communicating.
Emphasising the importance of physical touch and nonverbal communication.

The PACT model is a relatively new approach to relationship counselling, but it has been shown to be effective in helping couples improve their relationships and build stronger emotional connections. It benefits couples struggling with attachment, intimacy, and communication issues.

Tips for Finding the Right Couples Counsellor

Finding the right couples therapist is challenging, yet an essential part of the process. When choosing a couples therapist, it would be worth considering the following:

Look for an AHPRA-registered psychologist. The core role of the AHPRA Psychology Board is to protect the public. They ensure that only practitioners with the skills and qualifications to provide safe care and psychological services are registered to practise in Australia.

Consider their qualifications and experience. Look for a therapist who has undergone training in an evidence-based couples therapy approach, e.g. EFT for Couples or Gottman Method. It is also essential to work with a therapist with couples counselling experience. The psychologist’s therapeutic approach and techniques should be a good fit for you and your partner.

Check the therapist’s availability. Attending therapy sessions regularly to get the most benefit from them is crucial. Ensure the couples therapist you choose is available and offers appointments on days and times that work for you and your partner.

Couples Counselling FAQs

Does private health insurance cover couples therapy?

Yes. Most Australian private health insurance companies cover couples therapy. It is important to check with your insurance provider to determine eligibility and specific coverage before you start couples therapy. More about private health insurance >

Can I claim Medicare rebates for couples therapy?

No. If you have a Mental Health Care Plan, you are entitled to Medicare rebates only for individual treatment of specific conditions listed by Medicare. Couples therapy is not claimable through Medicare. More about Medicare rebates >

How long does couples therapy last?

The length of couples therapy varies depending on the couple’s concerns they wish to address and their needs. Some couples may only need a few sessions, while others may benefit from ongoing therapy. More about couples counselling methods >

What if my partner is reluctant to try couples therapy?

A good first step is to have an open conversation with your partner to explain why you believe couples therapy would be beneficial. Suggesting an initial exploratory session with a couples therapist to learn about couples counselling, what to expect and how it can help you both may also help.

Resources by Couples Therapists

Marriage and Couples Counselling Brisbane

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

Marriage and Couples Counselling Brisbane

Couples Counselling in Brisbane & Online

Claire Pang

Dr Jane Austin

Chris Hepperlin

Alicia Firth

Are You Experiencing Relationship Issues?
Do you need Couples Counselling?

Why Couples Counselling is Worth Investing In

Key Warning Signs That Your Relationship is in Distress

Criticism

Defensiveness

Expressions of Contempt

Stonewalling

Marriage and Couples Counselling – Who Can Benefit?

Evidence-based Methods Used in Couples Counselling

1. EFT – Emotionally Focused Therapy

2. The Gottman Method for Couples Counselling

3. Schema Therapy for Couples

4. The Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) Model

1. Emotionally Focused Therapy EFT for Couples

Overcoming Relationship Issues through EFT for Couples

What an EFT Couples Counselling session looks like

2. The Gottman Method for Relationship Counselling

3. Schema Therapy for Couples

4. Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) Model

Tips for Finding the Right Couples Counsellor

Couples Counselling FAQs

Resources by Couples Therapists

Couples Counselling: Who Can Benefit?

Couples Counselling: Who Can Benefit?

Relationship Challenges: The Benefits of Couples Counselling

How Online Therapy for Couples Counselling Can Help

Navigating Relationship Challenges: Why Couples Therapy is Worth It

Marriage and Couples Counselling Brisbane

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Marriage and Couples Counselling Brisbane

Couples Counselling in Brisbane & Online

Are You Experiencing Relationship Issues? Do you need Couples Counselling?

Why Couples Counselling is Worth Investing In

Key Warning Signs That Your Relationship is in Distress

Criticism

Defensiveness

Expressions of Contempt

Stonewalling

Marriage and Couples Counselling – Who Can Benefit?

Evidence-based Methods Used in Couples Counselling

1. Emotionally Focused Therapy EFT for Couples

Overcoming Relationship Issues through EFT for Couples

What an EFT Couples Counselling session looks like

2. The Gottman Method for Relationship Counselling

3. Schema Therapy for Couples

4. Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) Model

Tips for Finding the Right Couples Counsellor

Couples Counselling FAQs

Resources by Couples Therapists

Marriage and Couples Counselling Brisbane

FIND A PSYCHOLOGIST

THERAPIES

HELP WITH

Are You Experiencing Relationship Issues?
Do you need Couples Counselling?