Communication

Relationship Counselling in New Farm, Brisbane

In relationships, communication allows to you share how you are feeling and what your needs are. No matter how well you know and love one other, your partner cannot read your mind. It is important to learn skills that help avoid miscommunication that may cause anger, hurt and resentment.

In almost every relationship, each person has different communication needs and styles. Communication will never be perfect, but couples need to learn skills of communicating that suits their relationship. Healthy communication styles require time, practice and hard work.

We are the local psychologists and counsellors for you if you are a resident of New Farm, Kangaroo Point, Fortitude Valley, Teneriffe, East Brisbane, and Brisbane CBD. We’re also quite close and handy (10 - 15 mins by car) from those in Bowen Hills, Spring Hill, Coorparoo, Herston, Petrie Terrace, Highgate Hill, West End, Norman Park, Kelvin Grove, Windsor, Hawthorne, Wilston, and Balmoral. 

Signs your relationship may need support

More couples than ever are seeking relationship counselling to learn quality communication skills. Open and clear communication can be learnt. Here are some signs that you and your partner may benefit from learning some quality communication skills:

  • Disconnection – you or your partner may feel like the connection that was once in your relationship is slipping away. There are many reasons why this feeling can occur. Often, it can leave us feeling unseen or unheard.

  • Passive Aggressive Behaviour – often this kind of communication can appear calm on the outside but is actually a symptom of resentment or contempt.

  • Increased Arguments – conflict in relationships is normal and healthy, if it is dealt with calmly and respectfully. If arguments are increasing or cannot seem to be resolved, it may be time for some professional support.

  • Unhealthy Habits – often when we are frustrated or stressed, we can resort to some unhealthy communication habits, such as yelling, name-calling or swearing. These habits are not helpful in resolving conflict, as they can often cause our partner to shut down emotionally. There are healthy communication habits that can be learned.

How Can Counselling Help?

In the busyness of life it can be difficult to find the time to get to a counsellor, however, relationship issues surrounding miscommunication and conflict are best dealt with early. To provide flexibility and support to couples navigating the pressures of everyday life, we offer face-to-face and Telehealth appointments during and after business hours.

Relationship counselling (sometimes called couples therapy or marriage counselling) can assist you in finding effective strategies to improve communication, conflict resolution, navigating expectations for the future, increasing appreciation and rebuilding intimacy. When counselling couples, we assess each client’s needs and use an appropriate selection the treatments below:

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy is an approach that includes a detailed assessment of the couple’s relationship and integrates evidence-based interventions based on the Sound Relationship House Theory. The aims of Gottman Method Couples Therapy are to develop quality verbal communication, develop healthy conflict styles, increase intimacy, respect, and affection and build empathy.

  • Mindfulness and relaxation techniques bring your awareness to the present moment, in order to give your body and mind a break from exhausting negativity and worry. These strategies can also help train the mind in directing your attention towards those things you want to focus on and can help with feelings of being ‘stuck’ or ‘flooded’ during conflict.

  • Solution Focused Therapy helps you to identify goals that are meaningful to you, measure where you currently sit in relation to those goals and identify a range of options to help you navigate the gap.

  • Prepare/Enrich is a strengths-based approach, which includes a thorough assessment of the couple’s relationships to identify specific strength and growth areas. It integrates research-based interventions and exercises that teach communication and conflict resolution skills. This approach is particularly useful for couples who are in the early stages of their relationship (e.g. 0-5 years).

  • Psychoeducation is the process of learning about and understanding mental health, wellbeing and relationships. It is similar to physical education, where an individual learns about how their body experiences and reacts to different stressors - but instead the education is applied to the relationship.

 

For some simple tips on how to keep your connection strong, consider listening to: The Date Forever Podcast - The Simple Things with Megan and Nahum Kozak.

Book an appointment or give us a call

Lighthouse Relationships serves clients based locally in New Farm, Teneriffe, Kangaroo Point,Fortitude Valley, East Brisbane, and Brisbane central. We’re also just a short trip from Albion, Herston, West End, Bowen Hills, Spring Hill, Kelvin Grove, Petrie Terrace, Highgate Hill, Norman Park, Hawthorne, Wooloowin, Wilston, Windsor, Nundah, Clayfield and Balmoral - and we’re also available for Telehealth or zoom sessions from anywhere worldwide. Street parking is available, and the New Farm office is 300 metres from the local New Farm ferry terminal, or direct across the road from the nearest Brisbane City bus stop. If you feel we are a good fit for you, we welcome clients from anywhere.