Couples Therapy - in Brisbane or online
Take time for the most important relationship in your life…
Strengthen your Relationship through Couples Therapy
Reduce or prevent relationship pain
Did you know that it takes the average couple six years to seek help? If you have waited this long or longer, all is not lost - we have definitely been able to help couples who have been struggling much longer. At the same time, we do hear fairly regularly that couples wish they had sought therapy a little sooner. When it comes to improving communication and resolving issues, a proactive approach - catching things a little earlier in the piece - can save needless pain.
Speak with someone you can trust
Our counsellors are high on empathy, and are all trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. So you can feel comfortable that your therapist will be caring and supportive - as well as effective.
Need help with these?
Our expert Relationship Counsellors will help you get your relationship back on track by sharing key strategies around these topics (or whatever your struggle may be!)
Personality differences
Connection styles
Stress profiles
Families of origin
Communication
Conflict resolution
Financial management
Children
Long lasting romance
Sex
Spiritual beliefs
Activities and leisure
Details
Online: Zoom sessions are available every weekday, including evening sessions. This has become a very popular mode – you can have a session from the convenience of your office or the comfort of your couch. The Zoom link will be sent after booking.
Face-to-face: Face-to-face sessions are available during business hours Monday to Friday at our New Farm Office – 42, Oxlade Drive, New Farm.
Our Personal Suggestion: Couples Therapy is a process that usually ranges between 12 and 20 hours or more, depending on the needs present.
To ensure continuity, and to maintain momentum, we suggest you initially book 4 x 50min sessions and 6 x 110min sessions as described in the section below ‘How many sessions should I book?’ (Bookings can be made without paying for sessions ahead of time, and you can always cancel a session with a little notice if you end up not needing it).
We’ve started to suggest this as we find that sessions can book out quickly, and we want to avoid starting a therapy process, only to need to pause weeks or months until further sessions are available.
As mentioned, bookings can always be cancelled with sufficient notice. You may book (and cancel) online using the booking button below, or call our office on 07 3477 9077 during office hours.
Cost: $210 per session.
Bookings: Check our schedule to see which days and times are available and book online.
Alternative Process: Interested in our Marathon Couples Therapy process for faster results? Click here.
How many relationship therapy sessions should we book?
If booking for some minor issues or as a ‘relationship check-up’ for self development, you may find booking six sessions is a sufficient start. If seeking to resolve some significant matters, we suggest booking for an initial 16 hours of therapy as described below (for Marathon Couples Therapy, our 2-Day Intensive, see here).
If unsure what to do, call our office and a time can be arranged to discuss your needs with one of our practitioners by phone.
Needs Assessment Phase (preferably in a short time span, e.g. over the course of 1 to 2 weeks)
Appointment 1 : One session for the two of you together to meet with your therapist (50 mins)
Appointment 2: One session hour for just one of you by yourself (50 mins)
Appointment 3: One session for the other partner by themselves (50 mins)
Appointment 4: One session for the 2 of you together - this is your Feedback session (50 mins)
Treatment Phase (varies depending on your needs)
The Treatment Phase can vary significantly depending on your goals and context.
For instance, should you have some minor miscommunication issues, or a specific issue that needs discussion, this phase may be as simple as one session once a fortnight or once a month until you feel confident (50mins or 110 mins).
On the other hand, if you are aware that the needs you have have a level of complexity (for example, involving resentments built over time, a betrayal or other dificult circumstances) then we’d recommend booking ahead of time in the way described below so that you can have the consistency you’d need with your therapist.
We prefer to conduct the Treatment Phase in double sessions (i.e. 110 mins) as this allows opportunity for a topic to be explored at depth from the perspective of each member of the couple, making progress faster. However, if scheduling only allows single sessions (50 mins), therapy will still be effective.
Appointment 5: A double session for the 2 of you together (110 mins)
Appointment 6: A double session for the 2 of you together (110 mins)
Appointment 7: A double session for the 2 of you together (110 mins)
Appointment 8: A double session for the 2 of you together (110 mins)
Appointment 9: A double session for the 2 of you together (110 mins)
Appointment 10: A double session for the 2 of you together (110 mins)
(Fewer sessions may be required, or more - discuss with your therapist as therapy progresses)
Integration/Relapse Prevention Phase
Most therapists wish to consolidate progress and learnings through a final session with a couple, and/or additional sessions are available if you and your therapist deem them necessary in order to integrate new skills and relationship patterns. Discuss with your therapist. There is no need to make additional booking for these at the start of your therapeutic journey.
As mentioned earlier, s sessions can be booked without payment, and bookings can always be cancelled with sufficient notice.
You may book online using the booking button below, or call our office on 07 3477 9077 during office hours.
The fastest way that dates can be viewed and bookings made by visiting our online booking system (click button below).
How do we get the most out of Relationship Counselling?
Here are ten ways to get the most out of couples therapy
Commit to the process
Be committed to the process: Couples therapy can be challenging, and it requires a significant amount of time, effort, and dedication to make progress. Make sure that both you and your partner are committed to attending therapy regularly and working on your relationship.
Set goals
Set goals: Identify specific goals that you want to achieve through therapy, such as improving communication, resolving conflicts, or deepening intimacy. Discuss these goals with your therapist and keep them in mind throughout the process.
Honesty
Be honest and open: Honesty and openness are crucial in couples therapy. Be willing to share your thoughts, feelings, and concerns openly, even if they are difficult to express. Your therapist can only help you if they understand your situation fully.
Listen and seek to understand
Listen actively: Active listening involves giving your partner your undivided attention, focusing on their words and nonverbal cues, and responding appropriately. Practice active listening during therapy sessions and in your daily interactions with your partner.
Do the work outside session
Do your homework: Your therapist may give you exercises or activities to do outside of therapy sessions. Be sure to complete these assignments and discuss your progress with your therapist during your next session.
Practice to gain proficiency
Practice new skills: Therapy is not just about talking; it's also about learning and practicing new skills. Practice the skills you learn in therapy in your daily interactions with your partner, and give them opportunities to practice as well.
Be patient
Don't rush things: Healing takes time, and progress may be slow. Be patient with yourself and your partner and trust the process. Avoid the temptation to rush things or expect immediate results.
Make the time & be fully present
Make time for therapy: Schedule therapy sessions at a time when both you and your partner can be fully present and focused. Avoid scheduling sessions during times when you or your partner may be distracted or unavailable, or just before an important work meeting.
Video call from a suitable location
Create a suitable environment: If you are doing video or phone sessions, make sure you have a suitable environment that is free from distractions and interruptions. Find a private space where you can talk openly and comfortably.
Be willing to reconsider and to change your approach
Be open to change: Couples therapy can be a transformative experience, but it requires a willingness to change. Be open to new perspectives, ideas, and ways of doing things, and be willing to make changes in your relationship to achieve your goals.
Restore the Confidence in Your Relationship With Couples Therapy
Marriage is a long-term commitment, and your relationship will naturally go through highs and lows. Our job is to help couples through the lows when it seems there just aren’t enough reasons to stay together. Make the time for meaningful connection with our couples therapy.
When To Seek Couples Counselling
Couples may reach a point where they consider separation or divorce for many reasons. Here are some of the reasons why you may be feeling estranged from your partner:
Stress and financial pressures. In most cases, one partner earns a higher income than the other, which creates certain expectations, such as assuming that the partner who makes the most will pay the bills. This may cause some resentment, and in not raising concerns with each other, unhealthy habits may develop where, for example, the higher income earners feel more pressure than they need to.
Communication breakdown. As a follow-up to the above, partners may also experience the burden of a highly demanding job, where the last thing they want to do is talk about their feelings when they come home. This may lead to frustration, and if you don’t take the time to express yourself and instead expect your partner to know what you’re going through, you make room for misunderstanding.
Household duties and childcare. Managing the transition from couplehood to parenthood can be tough. Changes and concerns surrounding identity, gender roles, and parenting expectations can have a big impact on relationships. In addition, balancing the new responsibilities of raising a child alongside work pressures and the daily running of a household can be a challenge.
Family. Marriages exist within a family structure, and as couples age, their responsibilities towards their ageing parents increase. This additional duty may result in partners becoming more distant as individuals try to cater to the needs of their parents, children, and spouse.
Infidelity, affairs and broken trust. The breakdown of trust over time, or as a result of infidelity, can be a major factor in separation or divorce. When trust is broken, commitment and connection are also often lost. For both partners, there is often a sense of shame surrounding infidelity. The recovery process involves ‘atonement,’ ‘attunement’, and ‘attachment’, where we initially encourage the expression of pain, address disconnection, and identify the root causes of the couple’s challenges and then plan the way forward.
Reimagine Your Partnership and Make it Happen with Our Couples’ Therapy in Brisbane
We offer credible and supportive Brisbane couples’ counselling where you can expect the following from your experiences with us:
Marathon couples therapy. This structured and intensive retreat comprises two days of condensed and focused therapy. We aim to support the reconnection of couples who feel they don’t know each other anymore. Here you will learn to manage conflict, understand one another better, forgive, discover shared values and how to strengthen your bond.
When a couple is recovering after infidelity, we unpack issues and build a toolbox of strategies to help rebuild trust. The first step is to decide if you both want to work on your relationship, which may need individual therapy to help you establish a stance.
Face to face or online couples therapy. We offer conventional therapy sessions for those who prefer in-person communication and couples’ counselling online, available every weekday. Visit us at our New Farm office, or enjoy the convenience of online therapy from your office or home.
Personalised. We tailor our sessions to suit your goals as a couple, providing the strategies that you need. As part of Gottman Method Couples Therapy, we begin with an evidence-based assessment phase, where you will both document the history of your relationship and identify goals together. This ensures both partners start on the same footing and work towards that same end.
Streamlined experience. Our smooth process includes pricing upfront, online scheduling and a clear indication of timelines.
Enriching Your Romantic Experience with Couples’ Counselling in Brisbane
These are some of the things you can look forward to when you choose us to help strengthen your bond and grow as a couple:
Skilled and empathetic. Our therapists are qualified, trained professionals, who will make you feel at ease. Whether we work with you in person or online, our couples therapy is proficient at achieving desired results. Our evidence-based treatment utilises Gottman Method Couples Therapy, which ensures that you leave with skills and strategies that you can use at home.
Various strategies. Besides the Gottman method, we use mindfulness and relaxation techniques to reduce ‘emotional flooding’ and relieve the mind from exhausting, negative thoughts and worry. Our practitioners utilise cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance commitment therapy and solution-focused therapy, which establishes meaningful goals and works to close the gaps that prevent us from reaching them. The prepare/enrich method uses a strengths-based approach to identify growth areas.
Psychoeducation aims to understand mental health, your own experiences and reactions, and how to reconcile them with your relationship.
Added value. You can also benefit by subscribing to content by email, where you will receive a complimentary couples’ communication tip sheet. You also have the option of taking an online quiz to discover your couple’s communication style. We offer personalised booklets with strategies relevant to your relationship to work on outside of our practice, as well as email courses to help you bring the joy back into your relationship.
Why Lighthouse Relationships Psychology & Counselling
Co-founders of Lighthouse Relationships Psychology & Counselling, Megan and Nahum Kozak, are both exceptional practitioners, highly trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. They use Gottman Method strategies both in their practice and to sustain their 17-year relationship.
So, contact us to strengthen your emotional intelligence, become competent and compassionate when resolving conflict, improve communication with and increase appreciation of your loved one.
We cater to clients from all over Brisbane in person at our New Farm office or across Australia and New Zealand via Telehealth and Zoom (including regional areas). We are conveniently located on Oxlade Drive, just 250m from New Farm Park, and only a short drive from New Farm, such as Teneriffe, Kangaroo Point, Fortitude Valley, East Brisbane, Brisbane City.
Other nearby suburbs include Clayfield, Albion, Spring Hill, Herston, Petrie Terrace, Bowen Hills, Highgate Hill, West End, Kelvin Grove, Norman Park, Hawthorne, Windsor, Wilston, Kelvin Grove and Balmoral.
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Recovery After an Affair
Affair recovery is the process of healing a relationship after an affair has occurred. Recovery has different elements - mental, emotional, and physical. Affair recovery is one of the reasons people come to couples counselling. Overall recovery often takes between six months to two years and can be a painful process - yet it is possible for couples who approach with humility, compassion, and persistence.
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Communication
Strong couple communication allows couples to work out problems in a constructive way so both partner’s needs are heard and taken into account. This allows couples not only to resolve issues (and learn how to resolve issues on their own), it helps couples to understand differences and to grow closer to one another.
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Couples Retreats (Marathon Couples Therapy)
For immediate and effective results, consider a Couples Retreat - also called Marathon Couples Therapy. Make headway sooner, and create intimacy faster, by taking two consecutive days to stay by the beach (usually Redcliffe Mon Komo Hotel) to really invest in your relationship. Feel comfortable and work on your relationship in complete privacy, with calming ocean views to help focus and soothe.
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A More Joyful Relationship
Want to make a start straight away? Check out our email course, ‘21 Days to a More Joyful Relationship’ The course uses research-based strategies, and delivers these in brief daily emails which can be read in one to three minutes. (This is a therapeutic approach sometimes called ‘micro-dosing’.) Why not pop it in your cart today?