Attending at Brisbane Counselling Centre are psychologists who are experienced in providing therapy for people facing difficulties in their relationship for those who are seeking relationship counselling, marriage counselling or pre-marriage counselling.

Couples and marriage counselling can also assist people to adjust to changes in their relationship for example, when moving in together, getting married, recovering from an affair, having a baby, going through IVF, experiencing postpartum depression or when one person works in a fly in/fly out situation.

Additionally, stress and anxiety within a relationship are common presenting issues psychologists are trained to address. Relationships can be tough but relationship counselling can provide a neutral environment for you to discuss challenging topics.

Types ofRelationship Problems

  • Failure to care for one’s relationship

    In order to have a healthy relationship one needs to care for and nurture it. Harmonious relationships don’t just happen by themselves, they take time, energy, focus and commitment. When a person doesn’t look after their partner the connection generally starts to break down.

    Neglecting a relationship is a sure way to create problems in the partnership or marriage. It doesn’t matter if the people in the relationships are young, middle aged, elderly, same sex, in their first marriage, third marriage, or de-facto, everyone needs their partner to care for them and receive the message “I love you and you are important in my life.”

    As much as possible we need to fully engage when we are with our partner, rather than half listening to them or paying attention to something else.

  • Unresolved Conflict

    Conflict happens in almost every relationship. Whilst it is present in most relationships, resolution of the conflict can be difficult to achieve.

    Typically people disagree about issues, become hurt, frustrated and disappointed. They often fail to talk about it or they may say things that are hurtful and this only takes them further away from finding a solution. When this happens people often participate in what is referred to as the “blame game” and believe that if only their partner would change then the relationship would be so much better.

    Criticism of one’s partner often becomes a pattern of behaviour that is most destructive and unhelpful. When one is criticised a common reaction is to become defensive and/or critical of the other person. Often at this point people can do and say things that they later regret, which leaves the other person feeling hurt, rejected and misunderstood.

    A couples counsellor can help people to identify and rectify these destructive patterns and assist the couple in achieving more harmonious interactions.

  • Expectations of others & ideas about how things ‘should’ be

    Another area where problems can occur in relationships is where people hold expectations of their partner that are unrealistic or unachievable. If one person thinks that something needs to be done a certain way and their partner’s view is different from theirs, conflict and tension can arise.

    It is recommended that when in a relationship you share and develop a deep understanding with your partner of your expectations and develop ways in which you can work together as a team using healthy conflict resolution skills and communication skills.

    Partners can also experience conflict around aspects of life such as the raising of children, parenting methods, sexual interests, financial management, choice of school, household tasks, holiday destinations etc. It is important to keep the lines of respectful communication open about these aspects of life rather than assuming that both of you will be in agreement regarding such issues.

  • Recovery from an affair

    When a partner chooses to connect with another person outside of their relationship, a great deal of pain is usually caused within the relationship or marriage. It is possible however, to recover from this challenging time in one’s relationship and believe it or not, it is even possible for your relationship to improve and to become healthier than it was before the infidelity.

    After an affair, the sooner you seek therapeutic intervention from relationship experts, the faster your relationship will recover.

  • Sexual difficulties

    Every relationship has its ups and downs and invariably people may experience difficulties in sexual interactions at varying stages throughout their life. Things such as our family background, religion, personal experiences and the portrayal of sex in the media can have an impact upon our view of sexual interactions and how we believe they ‘should’ be.

    Common sexual issues people can experience that can have a negative impact on their relationships are porn addiction, erectile issues, desire issues, premature ejaculation, orgasmic difficulties and vaginismus. Seeking help as soon as you recognise such problems can make a drastic difference to the quality of your relationship.

    Early intervention through couples therapy can save a lot of unnecessary pain, embarrassment and unpleasantness in your relationship.

Planning Ahead:Pre-Marriage Counselling?

Healthy relationships typically require some hard work, however, many people don’t think of them in this way, often believing instead that harmonious relationships occur automatically.

Most relationships begin in the same way; generally, a person falls madly in love with another and then can see no wrong in the person with whom they have fallen in love. As the saying goes “Love is blind”! More often, however beautifully a relationship begins, cracks frequently start to emerge and the person who was once thought of as being able to do no wrong, now begins to let their partner down and disappoint them.

Difficulties eventually emerge in the relationship, some of which are easily resolved but others can become intractable. Unhelpful patterns can then develop in the areas of communication, interactions, and conflict resolution. These relationship issues can frequently result in keeping a couple stuck in an unhealthy way of being together.

The same old arguments and discussions are had on a recurring basis, as on a merry-go-round with no clear way to get off the unpleasant ride. Many people consider separating at this point, when an alternative would be to find professional help and engage in couples therapy or marriage counselling services to gain some expert help in working through these challenging times in their relationship.

Looking for Pre-Marriage Counselling?

Pre-Marriage Counselling can incorporate emotionally focused therapy to help identify differences in values, behaviour patterns & habits, financial management and cultural & ethical issues in an open, safe and unbiased environment.

It aims to provide couples with a deeper understanding of communication, conciliation and resolution skill-sets optimal to transitioning into a healthy and long-lasting marriage partnership. For some, it can also illuminate the difficult subject of ‘marriage readiness’.

Appointments with a couples therapist can be made on a session-by-session basis, with many couples satisfied with 1-2 one-hour sessions and others choosing more in-depth therapy or to pursue individual counselling around identified (usually past) issues.

When do we get helpfor our relationship?

All relationships face difficulties that are often resolved over time.

However, if unhelpful patterns of communicating, interacting and behaving become entrenched, it is time to seek professional support through a counsellor for relationships. It is better if possible to seek couples therapy or marriage counselling therapy before any maladaptive patterns can take hold.

Many relationship problems can be resolved through actively participating in marriage therapy or relationship counselling. Sadly, many people wait until they feel desperate in their relationship before they seek relationship counselling or individual therapy.

Early intervention with relationship therapy and seeking a relationship therapist is most beneficial to overcome relationship difficulties that may present themselves.

If you are able to solve the problems that arise in your relationship by yourselves that is fantastic. However, if you have tried and your attempts have been unsuccessful then engaging a psychologist in couples counselling can be of great assistance in moving your relationship forward and freeing yourselves from the confines of the negative patterns that have formed in your relationship.

In an ideal world, both people in the relationship would be willing to seek assistance through relationships counselling. However, sometimes one partner is not open to the idea. Surprisingly even if only one person within the relationship is willing to attend counselling it is possible for that person to work with the therapist on ways to achieve positive change within it.

Couples Counsellingin Brisbane

If you think that your relationship could benefit from seeing a psychologist for couples counselling then please give us a call on 07 3831 4452. Our receptionists are very kind and friendly and are always keen to assist you with any questions you may have. We look forward to being of help!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the success rate of couples counselling?

    At Brisbane Counselling Centre, our relationship experts, skilled in relationship counselling and therapy, have seen significant success. With a focus on enhancing communication skills and fostering a healthy relationship, most couples feel more connected and better equipped to manage conflicts after attending sessions.

  • How long is a couples counselling session?

    Couples counselling sessions at our Brisbane centre typically last for 60 minutes. This duration allows our relationship psychologists to deeply engage with the particular needs and challenges of each partner in a non-judgmental space.

  • What is the difference between couples therapy and marriage counselling?

    While both aim to improve relationships, couples therapy often addresses broader relationship issues, including communication and respect. Marriage counselling at Brisbane Counselling Centre specifically targets married or de facto partners, focusing on aspects unique to married life.

  • Can couples counselling save a relationship?

    Yes, couples counselling, especially using a tailored approach which may integrate various strategies including the Gottman method couples therapy, can significantly improve and even save relationships. By learning respectful communication and addressing common issues, partners can rebuild and strengthen their bonds.

  • Is couples counselling covered by Medicare?

    Couples counselling isn’t covered by Medicare. However, those seeking couples counselling at Brisbane Counselling Centre might find cost savings through private health insurance. It’s advisable to check with your provider for details on therapy and psychologist coverage.

  • Can you use a mental health plan for couples therapy?

    Under the current Medicare guidelines, a mental health plan cannot primarily be used for couples therapy or relationship counselling at Brisbane Counselling Centre. Medicare’s Better Access initiative is focused on individuals with diagnosed mental disorders, and does not classify relationship difficulties as such.

    While those with a mental health disorder may receive individual psychological treatment under Medicare, this treatment cannot be centred on relationship counselling, even if both partners have a mental health plan. It’s possible to include a partner briefly in individual treatment if therapeutically indicated, but it shouldn’t be the main focus of the treatment.

    This aligns with our approach at Brisbane Counselling Centre, where our skilled psychologists and relationship therapists provide supportive and understanding care, focusing on the specific needs of each individual and relationship.

Get in touch

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