Couples Counselling

Building understanding and communication for deeper connection.

Couples counselling is a supportive and positive process for nurturing the health of your relationship. We don’t waste time with blame or who’s at fault. Instead, we view your relationship as the client, and look with compassion and curiosity at what is playing out between you.

Our shared goal is to explore the recurring patterns of your relationship dance. To attend to the wounds and discover the values that lay beneath the dance steps each partner is making. New understanding brings new possibilities and the freedom to choose a different dance!

It’s my privilege to provide a safe and supportive space where you can heal and grow together.

How can couples counselling support your relationship?

Understanding relationship patterns

Well-worn habits of relating can sometimes entrench couples in negative cycles. Understanding that each person’s habitual responses were shaped in early life experiences can be enlightening and freeing for you and your partner.

Core conflicts can also reveal preciously-held values, which, once understood, can be integrated into your relationship more constructively.

Creative modalities can help couples visually explore metaphors and feelings, and is often illuminating as well as fun. No artistic ability needed!

Evidence-based therapy framework.

I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) as an evidence-based framework to support couples. This non-intrusive, powerful form of enquiry helps us to notice the recurring patterns that play out between you.

It offers insight into how each person’s behaviours and responses are received or perceived by their partner, opening new possibilities.

Understanding the characteristics of strong families (see below) can also can allow new insights and growth aspirations for you as a couple.

You, me and us

Initially, I encourage couples to meet with me together, then individually. This allows me to hear each partner’s perspective and to understand his or her unique values and life experiences.

You then join together as a couple with clarified hopes for the way you want to grow together through couples counselling.

Introducing ‘meaning making’ and strengths perspectives can help clarify understanding, creating a foundation for deeper connection. Learning healthy communication strategies is fundamentally important.

Characteristics of Strong Families

Understanding the characteristics of strong families can can bring new insight to couples. Positive change is invited as we explore these together and consider how they could be strengthened in your relationship.

C - Commitment

A - Appreciation

P - Positive Communication

S – Spirituality or Rituals

T – Time together

A – Ability to withstand stress

Practical Questions & Answers

I graduated with a Bachelor of Counselling from Bethlehem Tertiary Institute in 2010. I’m a Professional Member of NZCCA.

I have 14 years experience as a qualified counsellor in a range of contexts including:
- Private Counselling Practice
- Secondary School Counselling
- Loss and Bereavement Counselling
- Grief and Loss groupwork with children and adolescents
- As a Focusing practitioner.
I offer in-person counselling sessions in two places:

1. At Bethlehem Psychological Services – 36 Sutherland Road, Brookfield, Tauranga
2. At my home-based counselling space in Bethlehem, Tauranga.
I also offer sessions via Zoom.
A counselling session is one hour. I typically meet with couples weekly or fortnightly for three to six sessions. However, this can be extended to meet your needs and we can discuss this together.
 $135 – Individual Counselling Session
 $150 – Couples Counselling Session