Couples Counselling

Improve communication skills & build a closer relationship with your partner

Couples counselling can help improve romantic relationships, whether the issues are major or minor. It can help address and resolve problems in your relationship, improve communication and conflict resolution skills, and strengthen your connection.

Couples counselling provides a safe space for both of you to talk about anything and everything that’s going on in your relationship. This includes the good, the bad, and the ugly.

It can be therapeutic for both of you to share what’s been on your minds, especially if you have been holding onto your feelings for a long time. Couple counselling allows you to talk openly and freely, without judgment or bias. It allows both of you to be heard and validated, as well as talking on topics that might be difficult to discuss on your own.

Couples therapy is not a long-term form of therapy. Instead, it is a short-term therapy that aims to equip you and your partner with skills to help you prevent and manage conflicts that arise down the road.

Couples Counselling helps you to:

  • Understand each other better

  • Identify relationship issues

  • Improve communication skills

  • Resolve conflicts

  • Strengthen friendship and attachment

  • Terminate dysfunctional behaviour

  • Learn skills

  • Improve relationship satisfaction

How Does It Work?

Couples therapists often employ an integrated approach to treatment, borrowing techniques from different forms of therapy, depending on your needs. Vikki incorporates the use of the Gottman method to assist in addressing areas of conflict and equipping you and your partner with problem-solving skills. It aims to improve the quality of friendship and the level of intimacy between you and your partner.

STRATEGIES A COUPLES THERAPIST MIGHT EMPLOY:

  • Getting to know you: Creating a sense of safety by getting to know you and your partner to aid in working actively and collaboratively to understanding each other better.

  • Identifying you and your partner’s feelings.

  • Exploring the past: It helps you both better understand your fears, motivations, and behaviours in a relationship. It can help address unresolved conflicts that affect your present.

  • Focusing on solutions: Assist you and your partner to resolve issues, correct negative behaviour patterns, and focus on positive aspects of the relationship.

  • Teaching skills: The aim is to equip you and your partner with tools to help you deal with issues as they crop up.

Couples therapy ideally requires participation from you and your partner. However, if your partner is not open to it, you can also opt to do couples therapy alone, to better understand your relationship and how you can improve it.

If you and your partner undertake it together, Vikki will work with you and your partner to outline the goals for therapy and whilst couples therapy typically involves joint sessions, Vikki may also do individual sessions with you or your partner to help deal with the issues brought up in couples therapy.

If you would like more information about couples counselling and how it could benefit you and your partner, then please feel free to contact me.

BOOK A SESSION
BOOK A SESSION
LEARN ABOUT VIKKI

  • "We witnessed remarkable growth within ourselves and in our relationship."

    As our therapy sessions progressed, we witnessed remarkable growth within ourselves and in our relationship. We became more attuned to each other's needs, aspirations, and vulnerabilities. Our newfound ability to communicate respectfully and empathetically allowed us to navigate conflicts with grace and understanding. We learned to approach disagreements as opportunities for growth, rather than battles to be won.

    Y & S, Ringwood

  • "She provided us with tools and techniques to express our thoughts and emotions constructively"

    In the therapy sessions, Vikki emphasized the importance of respectful communication. She provided us with tools and techniques to express our thoughts and emotions constructively while maintaining respect for each other's feelings. They taught us the power of active listening and mirroring, enabling us to acknowledge and validate each other's experiences. Through this process, we learned that respect is not just about politeness but about genuinely valuing and honouring each other's emotions and perspectives.

    MARIAN & ROB, Belgrave

  • "Vikki skilfully guided us toward recognizing and challenging our own preconceived notions, biases, and assumptions."

    One of the most significant changes we witnessed throughout our therapy journey was the shift away from judgment and defensiveness. Vikki skilfully guided us toward recognizing and challenging our own preconceived notions, biases, and assumptions. This helped us gain insight into how our judgments were blocking our ability to truly understand and empathize with one another. As we shed these barriers, we discovered a newfound empathy and compassion, which laid the foundation for rebuilding our connection.

    TOM & KATIE, Mitcham

  • "Couples therapy has been a game-changer for us"

    Embarking on couples therapy has been the best decision we've ever made for our relationship. It has truly transformed our lives and brought us closer together in ways we never thought possible. Through the therapy sessions, we've learned to communicate better and understand each other on a deeper level. I feel more attuned to my partner's needs and emotions, which has allowed me to ask the right questions and truly empathize with them. Vikki has provided us with valuable tools and techniques to navigate conflicts and challenges, and as a result, our intimacy has dramatically increased. We now have a stronger emotional connection and a renewed sense of love and understanding. Couples therapy has been a game-changer for us, and we couldn't be happier with the positive impact it has had on our relationship.

    KATE & BRYAN, Croydon

  • "Vikki always prioritized our well-being and growth as a couple."

    Our couples therapy experience has truly been a game-changer for us. It has helped us rebuild trust, reignite our love, and establish a strong foundation for our future together. We owe a debt of gratitude to Vikki, who skilfully guided us on this journey, always prioritizing our well-being and growth as a couple.

    If you find yourself in a place of despair or disconnectedness within your relationship, we wholeheartedly recommend seeking couple’s therapy. When you can find a therapist who creates a safe and non-judgmental space, encourages active listening, and fosters respect, incredible transformations can occur. Embrace the opportunity to embark on this journey of growth and rediscovery.

    DANIEL & FELICITY, Lilydale

Frequently Asked Questions

Please find below answers to the most commonly asked questions relating to Counselling, Hypnotherapy & Anger Management as well as services provided and other related topics.

Hopefully I have covered everything, however if not then please feel free to contact me direct on 0413 019 814, via Email or my Enquiry Form, and I will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

get in touch

  • Counselling is a process in which the individual, family, couple meet with a trained professional counsellor to talk about issues and problems they are facing in their lives. Counselling can help people to gain clarity surrounding issues.

    It can provide people with new opportunity to share their views, to be heard and gain new perspectives on their situation and experiences. Together with the counsellor people identify and work towards achieving their desired outcomes and goals for counselling.

  • No. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and social worker services are subsidised by the Australian Government, therefore a counsellor is not permitted to handle mental health plans. However, the fee you will pay to a counsellor, is comparable to the gap you pay after the Medicare rebate.

  • Contrary to popular belief, a Counsellor’s role isn’t to just sit and nod while their client talks about their issues. It does involve listening to what their client has to say but they are there to help their clients talk through their personal concerns, empower them to gain a deeper and clearer understanding of their issues, explore different options for getting help and develop coping strategies.

    A big part of counselling is helping the client to develop insight and learn the right kind of skills to resolve their own issues. Whereas a Psychologist can diagnose and treat patients who are living or suffering with mental illness. They develop a treatment plan that will put them back on the path to a healthy lifestyle where they can effectively manage their mental health. They treat clients who are living with mild, moderate and severe mental health issues.

  • How frequently you see a counsellor will vary with the individual and on the issue/circumstance you have come to counselling. Generally, during your first session you and your therapist will work together to determine how often you should be checking in for therapy, but it usually depends on what kind of treatment your therapist is using.

  • Yes, FPC is involved with AHM, Bupa, Medibank Private and Police Health. Please identify your provider with the counsellor at your first session or when booking.

  • Focus Point Counselling is registered with the following health providers.

    • Bupa

    • Medibank Private

    • AHM

    • Police Health Fund

    • CUA Health

    • HCF

    • GMHBA

    • Hunter Health Insurance

    • Mildura Health Foundation

    • Latrobe Health Services

    • St Luke’s Health

    Please check with your private provider to ensure that you can make a claim for counselling (individual/couple).

  • No, a doctor’s referral is not necessary to see me. Just make a booking either online/email or via the telephone. Just remember that I am not able to take Mental Health Plans so all expenses will be out of pocket.

  • Counselling sessions are offered as:

    • Face to face in person

    • via ZOOM

    • On the telephone

  • A cancellation fee of $100 will be applicable if you cancel your appointment within less than 24 hours.

    An individual session is $120 and a couples session is $200. There are concession rates available for Adolescences / Children / Pensioners / Health care card holders.

  • My hours of operation are as follows:

    • Monday: 11 – 6pm

    • Wednesday: 5 – 7pm

    • Thursday: 11 – 6pm

    • Friday: 11 – 5pm

    • Saturday; 11.30 – 2.30pm

    Out of hours appointments can be made by negotiation. Each session is approximately 60 minutes.

  • Payment can be made by credit card or direct debit. Please note a small fee is incurred when payment is made by credit card. You can make payment via cash or direct debit to avoid these fees.

    Refer to the Payment Methods & Fees for more information.