Taking positive action

The relationships in our lives can either be a source of great happiness, confidence and wellbeing, or a source of pain, anger and sadness. When relationships become negative they can have lasting effects on our self esteem, happiness and many other parts of our life. Though there is no ‘perfect’ relationship, but there are strategies you can use to enjoy a happier and more fulfilling partnership. Communication is absolutely essential to a healthy relationship, but often it can fall by the wayside due to stress, responsibilities or a huge range of other factors. When communication breaks down it can seem impossible to continue a relationship.

Relationship counselling in Canberra

Does home  life make you feel tired and worn out? Do you constantly argue with your partner? Has sex and intimacy diminished in your relationship? Though tough times are a part of everyone’s lives and loves, ongoing issues can be a huge source of pain, anger and sadness. Relationships with others can be demanding - particularly if you also are struggling with reconciling cultures, religions and backgrounds. Canberra Life Supports accredited marriage and relationship counsellors and psychologists are experienced in helping couples to enjoy their relationship more. All sorts of relationships can be bettered through counselling, and our Canberra relationship counsellors are happy to work with anyone who wants support.

Relationship counselling services based all across Canberra

When a marriage falls apart it hurts us, our partner, any children, other family members and friends. Your Canberra counsellor can provide an unbiased source of support, who will speak with you honestly about issues you might be facing. It’s normal to have difficulties through the course of a marriage, but some situations can be more trying. You may be struggling due to:

  • Extra-marital affairs
  • Sexual problems
  • Control or abuse
  • Misbalanced Power
  • Family Problems

No matter the catalyst, Canberra Life Supports relationshiip counsellors have training and experience in listening and providing strategies for improving your experience as a couple. Not only will your counsellor listen and help you explore issues, they will serve as a source of support and honesty.

Discovering a more positive relationship

Your Canberra marriage and relationship counselling will help you re-define your relationship, moving forward into a happier and more fulfilling experience. Positive and healthy communication can overcome ongoing issues and help give your relationship new life. This time of communication, openness and support will help you truly discover the way your partner feels. Working on core or underlying problems will have far reaching effects and can result in fairer compromises and steps forward. Staying in a negative relationship is never the best option: take action to improve it today. You will find support and new strategies by calling us on [phone] today to find a counsellor who can help you.

Life Supports accredited relationship counsellors based in Canberra

Our Canberra network of Life Supports accredited counsellors ensures you get in touch with a counsellor who is trained, qualified and experienced in helping couples. They will provide professional and healthy advice and support through this difficult time. Our list of Canberra Life Supports network of Counsellors and Psychologists gives more information on the background and expertise of each counsellor. If you’d like, take a look and choose a counsellor who you feel best suits your needs. Then let our Life Supports intake consultant know when you call, and we will try to accommodate you. Life Supports counsellors offer confidential relationship counselling services from offices in all major cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast and many other various local towns and cities through-out Australia.

Relationship Counselling FAQs

It is common for one or two family members to initiate the counselling process, with other family members joining in if and when they are ready. We also provide individual family counselling if you need a non-judgmental, confidential space to explore and address your own family issues. Family counselling is suitable for both small and larger family groups– there are no prerequisites that the entire family needs to be present.

In fact, family counselling can be incredibly effective even if certain family members choose not to participate. Your Life Supports relationship counsellor or psychologist will collaborate with your family to build on relational strengths and encourage change and interpersonal growth opportunities.

Life Supports relationship counselling helps families to:

  • Clearly identify issues affecting each family member
  • Foster inclusiveness and consideration of every family member’s needs
  • Develop clear family goals (e.g. reducing the frequency of conflict)
  • Practice safe, effective ways to address family challenges and grievances
  • Cease engaging in blaming behaviour, by taking responsibility for the family’s welfare as a group
  • Use effective, respectful communication when discussing distressing or challenging issues
  • Break the cycle of family conflict by encouraging new ways of relating
  • Recognise setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning
  • Focus on and celebrate the family’s unique strengths
  • Review progress and maintain improvements

Often couples that are new to the counselling experience are worried that relationship therapy may be biased towards one partner, emotionally confrontational, or that it simply won’t work. To ensure this is not the case, each session is:

  • Tailored to be inclusive of both partners
  • A discreet, nonjudgmental space to unpack your relationship concerns
  • Focused upon giving you an insightful understanding of your individual situation
  • Designed to give you practical tools to address problems and create long-lasting, positive changes
  • Couples and relationship counselling often involves a blend of joint and solo counselling sessions, depending on your personal therapeutic needs. This flexibility allows your counsellor to accurately assess your communication styles, patterns of behaviour and relationship needs as individuals, and as a couple. Our team of relationship counsellors are compassionate, competent and capable of helping you to achieve your relationship goals.

We frequently see clients for individual relationship counselling. Sometimes one partner is reluctant to seek help, or simply unable to attend counselling due to work commitments or geographical distance.

The great news is that individual counselling is just as effective as joint couple counselling when it comes to improving relationship quality. Recent research by clinical psychologist Dr Howard Markman studied 300 married and unmarried couples who attended relationship skills counselling together or individually: results from the study indicated that those who attended counselling individually showed a marked improvement in the quality of their relationships, on par with those who attended counselling with their partner. 

You may be struggling with conflicting thoughts and feelings about your relationship; you might be having difficulty balancing your own needs with the demands of your partner or family. In some cases, you may be experiencing the feelings of depression, anger, anxiety or grief associated with separation or divorce.

Whatever you bring to counselling, your Life Supports relationship specialist will work alongside you to help make sense of your experience, and support you moving forward in a constructive and positive way. For some clients, simply talking through issues can be a helpful process, while others may be looking for specific guidance or strategies to enhance their relationships. Together we will identify the most constructive and useful way that we can support you to make sense of your relationship and bring about positive change in your life.

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