At a crossroads in your relationship?
Whether you are going through difficulties with your significant other, wishing to enhance your current relationship, or seeking pre-marital counselling, professional help is available to support you with your needs and goals.
Evidence-based Gottman Method
We use the the "Gottman Method" of couples therapy; a world renowned, evidence-based approach to relationship counselling. Based on decades of research, the "Gottman Method" has achieved remarkable results for couples.
A Safe & non-judgmental space
We provide a safe, empathic, and non-judgmental space to be listened to and understood. We pride ourselves on being warm, open-minded, and respectful in our practice, and welcome clients from all walks of life.
What is couples Therapy?
Restore, reconnect, and Revive your relationship
Couples therapy, sometimes referred to as “relationship counselling” or “marriage counselling,” provides professional support for couples who may be experiencing serious issues in their relationships, or who may simply wish to enhance their current relationships by reconnecting with their partners, and finding that “spark” again. Premarital counselling is also a form of couples therapy, specifically designed for couples wishing to prepare themselves for marriage and establish the best possible foundation for a successful and fulfilling life together.
Working with a couples trained Psychologist can help you to address your needs and goals within your relationship, support you to establish new ways of communicating and managing conflict, and ultimately facilitate reconnection and restoration with your significant other.
At PEFC we work with both individuals and couples. Our Psychologist, Christy Manning, will often hold sessions for both the individuals separately and the couple together. Your therapeutic treatment plan will be personally designed to match your specific relationship needs.
Common Reasons for Seeking Couples Therapy
Couples therapy can help to overcome a range of challenges, including:
- Communication difficulties
- Conflict, arguments, hurtful exchanges
- Loss of trust, betrayal, jealousy, resentment
- Emotional distance or loss of connection
- Sexual difficulties
- Parenting challenges
- Family challenges
- Feelings stagnant or “stuck”
- And many more…
The Gottman Method and How we can help
An approach to Couples Therapy based on over 40 years of research, proven effective with thousands of couples from around the world.
The Gottman Method, developed by Dr John Gottman and Dr Julie Schwartz Gottman, has shown remarkable success in helping couples to restore and revive their struggling relationships.
This approach uses interventions focused on improving and disarming conflictual verbal communication, increasing closeness, connection, and respect, removing barriers that create feelings of being ‘”stuck”, and increasing empathy and understanding in your relationship.
As a couples trained Psychologist, Christy uses Gottman methods in her work, and will develop an evidence-based treatment plan specifically designed for you, based on your unique relationship needs and goals.
What We Don't Do
There Are Some Therapeutic Services We Do Not Currently Provide
- Therapy To Those Under 18 Years Of Age For New Referrals
- Substance Use Disorders
- Court/Legal Reports Or Forensic Cases
- WorkCover Clients
- Severe Psychiatric Conditions
- Court Mandated Counselling
- Emergency Response
Couples therapy will not be appropriate in the following circumstances:
- In the event of an ongoing or active affair engaged in by one or both parties
- Evidence or disclosure of characterological domestic violence
- Severe Mental Health concerns (e.g., psychosis or high-risk suicidality).
Fees and Rebates
At the Psychology Education and Family Centre, we believe in providing affordable services for our clients. The current Australian Psychological Society’s Recommended Fee for seeing a Psychologist is $300 per 46-60mins.
At our centre, an individual or couples therapy consultation is $235 per 50 minute consultation.
*Extended consultations will be charged at a rate of $50 per 15 minute interval.
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist for couples therapy?
No. You can make an appointment to come and see a psychologist as a privately paying client. Full consultation fees are due on the day of your visit.
Will I receive any rebates for couples therapy?
Unfortunately Medicare rebates to do not apply to couples therapy.
*Medicare rebates may apply to to certain services for some clients with existing mental health treatment plans. Please get in touch for further information.
*Most private health insurance policies with ‘extras’ cover will offer varied rebates on psychology fees. Please contact your provider for further information. Please note, you are unable to use both private health insurance and Medicare rebates.
*Please see our FEES page for further information.
