Couples Therapy

It’s time to stop the stigma around couples’ therapy.

Research shows that couples wait an average of 2.5 years before seeking help with their marital problems and that prevention is 3x more effective than intervention. Do you think you might benefit from couples therapy now or in the future? 

Kristina is a relationship and marriage counsellor based in Samford Valley servicing Brisbane Northside and further afield with online services.

Read on to understand more about how Couples Therapy can help you and your partner heal, grow, and move forward.

 therapeutic interventions

During your couples therapy sessions you will learn the Gottman interventions. The Gottman interventions are designed to assist couples develop skills to repair, rebuild and rejuvenate their relationship.

Key elements of the therapeutic process include repairing past hurts and replacing negative conflict patterns with positive interactions; building closeness and intimacy to deepen friendship and emotional connections; and developing new ways to support the relationship and each partner’s hopes and dreams.

In the later stages of therapy, you will meet with Kristina less frequently whilst you test out your new relationship skills with each other / at home.

After therapy, you might find you both like to attend occasional check-in sessions to fine-tune certain skills or to receive support with a big change or development.

how does it work?

When we meet, your key concerns are discussed in a safe manner and you learn the skills to have these sometimes-difficult conversations at home.

 When you book in for therapy, we recommend you book in blocks of 3 – 4 sessions at a time to ensure you can access the sessions you need and do not miss out on treatment due to limited availability.

couples therapy FAQs

How do we get started?

An assessment phase is first. Read about Relationship Health Assessments here.

How many sessions will we need?

There is not a universal approach so it will differ from couple to couple however research has shown that for couples seeking relationship enhancement, it averages 5–10 hours; for distressed couples, 15–20 hours; for couples with serious comorbidities or a recent extramarital affair, it averages 25–50 hours.

I aim to teach you the skills you need to build and work on your relationship in the future, together at home/without me!

How frequent are the appointments?

Research shows intensive initial treatment can be of assistance. Depending on your situation, planning to book several sessions in close succession can be helpful.

For those looking for an even more focussed approach, I also offer intensive couples weekends as described here.

How much does it cost?

Check out our fees page for a breakdown of costs.

Will I tell you there’s no hope for your relationship?

No. Kristina is committed to your overall health and wellness. The skills you learn will help you repair, rebuild or rejuvenate your relationship – if that’s what you want; they will help you separate and coparent on good terms if that’s what you want; and they will enhance your relationships with family, friends and work colleagues too.

When is couples therapy not advisable?

If there is serious violence in your relationship including threats of or fear of serious violence on the part of one or both partners.

If there is untreated, diagnosed mental illness (bipolar, psychotic disorders and major clinical depression), not including past and successfully treated mental health conditions that are currently stable and/or in remission.

If one or both of you have suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or a history of serious harm inflicted on another person.

In these cases, please speak with your GP for referral for specialist treatment.