COUPLES RELATIONSHIPCOUNSELLING


I aim to create a safe, supportive and impartial environment whereby couples can process their thoughts and feelings and gain insight into interpersonal patterns that keep them from living and loving to their full potential. I work to help couples discover and consolidate healthier ways of interacting and communicating so they can strengthen their relationship and maintain positive changes. 

I use both Relational/Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) when working with couples. My approach is also influenced by Attachment Theory.

EFT provides an effective and integrative therapy model for addressing adult relationship problems.  It is a process orientated and experiential approach that is based on an understanding of Attachment Theory and adult emotional patterns. Research studies have found that after EFT 70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery and approximately 90% show significant improvements. EFT is usually a short term (8-20 sessions), structured approach to couples therapy formulated in the early 1980's by Dr Sue Johnson and Dr. Les Greenberg. There are several steps of the Therapy Process in this model including:

  • Assessment -  Getting an understanding of your issues and relationship themes.

  • Accessing underlying feelings & emotions behind the interactions with your partner.

  • Deepening engagement as a couple through identifying disowned attachment needs and aspects of your self, while integrating into your relationship.

  • Exploring new, healthier ways of interacting. Your and your partner's needs and wants are expressed and we focus on creating emotional engagement and bonding events as a couple, to bring you closer together and understand each other more.

  • Discovering and starting to use new solutions to old relationship problems.

  • Facilitating positive change.