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Monique Pettiona - Counselling and Therapy - Marriage-relationship

Marriage-relationship Counselling

Create positive and lasting change in your relationship

Being in a relationship can have a profoundly positive effect on your sense of self and wellbeing. The benefits of sustaining good relationships are well documented: people in healthy relationships tend to live longer and experience less physical, emotional and mental health issues. Conversely, being in a relationship beset by problems can have a crippling effect on one’s self-esteem, and capacity to live life to the fullest.

Relationship counselling works

The good news is that there is hope for those struggling with relationship issues. A growing body of evidence – based on decades of couples counselling research – suggests that with appropriate therapeutic support, couples can overcome relationship issues and live happy, fulfilling lives together. Closeness, communication and commitment are the keys to authentic intimacy. Couples counsellors and psychologists can help you unlock the doors to relationship success.

Common relationship issues

If you’re experiencing difficulties in any of the areas listed below, you’re not alone. When problems arise in these areas, couples often seek help. Rest assured that all of these concerns may be addressed and resolved with effective relationship counselling:

  • Communication issues
  • Financial problems
  • Loss of intimacy
  • Lack of honesty
  • Loss of trust
  • Infidelity
  • Sexual difficulties
  • Controlling or abusive behaviour
  • Blended and extended family issues
  • Perceiving the relationship as one-sided

How relationship counselling can help you

Relationships are as individual as the people in them. Each relationship presents unique circumstances and challenges, particularly when there are different backgrounds, personalities and value systems involved. Your counsellor or psychologist will form a collaborative alliance with you. Together, you will identify key areas for change and learn practical tools to help you and your partner create a mutually beneficial, rewarding relationship.

We can help you and your partner:

  • Improve communication
  • Manage conflict
  • Cope with stressors
  • Increase emotional and sexual intimacy
  • Minimise criticism and blaming behaviours
  • Identify and nurture relationship strengths

Relationship counsellors and psychologists use proven, evidence-based therapeutic techniques such as Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy (EFT-C) and Integrative Behavioural Couples Therapy (IBCT) to help our clients create successful and happy relationships.

What can I expect in a relationship counselling session?

Often couples that are new to the counselling experience are worried that relationship therapy may be biased towards one partner, emotionally confrontational, or that it simply won’t work. To ensure this is not the case, each session is:

  • tailored to be inclusive of both partners
  • a discreet, nonjudgmental space to unpack your relationship concerns
  • focused upon giving you an insightful understanding of your individual situation
  • designed to give you practical tools to address problems and create long-lasting, positive changes

Marriage and relationship counselling often involves a blend of joint and solo counselling sessions, depending on your personal therapeutic needs. This flexibility allows your counsellor to accurately assess your communication styles, patterns of behaviour and relationship needs as individuals, and as a couple.