Relationships & Couples Counselling

Healthy relationships form a vital domain to our emotional well-being.  At Inner Eastern Psychology, as an established Melbourne Psychology clinic, we understand it is inevitable that we may encounter problems in relationships.  It is important to note that, unlike individual therapy where the client is the individual, the “client” in couples therapy is often in the relationship dynamics between those involved.


 In a couple’s therapy session, a safe and confidential space is provided for the couple to better speak about and reflect on their feelings, needs, challenges, and resources.  This process is made easier by a compassionate and non-judgemental facilitator – the therapist.


The therapist aims to find a way for the couples to work together and achieve their goals, which leads to improvement in the quality and fulfilment of their relationships.

 

The issues that relationship and couples counselling can address include, but are not limited to:

  • Communication problems

  • Conflict management

  • Financial issues

  • Intimacy problems

  • Infidelity

  • Divorce and separation

  • Grief and loss

  • Life transition

  • Stress and emotional management

  • Anger management

  • Parenting

 

There are a number of frameworks that couples therapy can be conducted in, such as the Gottman Method, Emotionally-Focussed Couples Therapy (EFC-T), Solution-Focussed Therapy, Imago Therapy, Narrative Therapy etc.

Relationships and couples counselling do not necessarily have to occur only at the time of a relationship crisis. Some can make use of it as prevention of an issue becoming unmanageable.

Relationship counselling is delivered by trained clinicians at our professional Melbourne Psychology clinics located across 3 locations, both in-person and via Telehealth. To find out more, contact us on 03 9088 1990 - or drop us an email at contact@innereasternpsychology.com.au to discuss further.

Important note:  If you are not feeling safe in your relationship or home and are concerned about issues related to abuse and domestic violence, please consider the following resources as a first step:

frequently asked questions

  • People seek couples counselling at different stages of a relationship. Generally, couples counselling is helpful after occurrence of a significant event, and / or when there are persistent / recurring challenges in a relationship, such as communication breakdown, emotional disconnection, concerns relating to intimacy, trust, or infidelity, problems in relation to parenting or finances, and / or if a couple is considering a separation. 

    It is helpful to acknowledge that the “client” in couples and relationship counseling is the dynamic and the challenges in a relationship, rather than just any one person on its own.

  • Different couples usualy have different styles, and carry the couples therapy sessions differently. In general, couples therapy would involve meeting the couple initially to understand the dynamics and challenges, as well as to establish shared goals. Subsequently, the counsellor might meet with each person individually to understand further their own background and hear their concerns specifically. 

    Practical skills and exercises are often provided in the following sessions.

  • Not necessarily. The couples usually attend some sessions together. At times, especially in the initial phase of therapy, each person may also attend the appointment individually to discuss their concerns.

  • It is common and understandable that only one person would like therapy, and not the other parties. In this circumstance, it is recommended that individual therapy is sought.  Generally, effective couples counselling would require commitment from both parties.

  • Separation is often a significant step in a relationship. While it might feel counter-intuitive, it is helpful to speak with a relationship counsellor to discuss this decision-making process, and to allow a safe space for emotional closure and respectful transition.

  • No. Relationship and couples counselling does not attract Medicare rebates.