We offer face-to-face relationship and marriage counselling for couples in our Geelong counselling room. Head Start Counselling's dedicated couples counsellor, Maja Graljuk, is available to see couples at any stage of their relationship. Maja has completed Level 1 and Level 2 in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and integrates these principles into her work.
Do you miss the connection you once had with your partner? Is there a feeling that love or respect has faded? Has your relationship become unmanageable? Is dealing with your relationship taking up a considerable part of your life without improvement?
If you’re experiencing difficulties in your relationship, then you can do something about it. No matter where you are in your relationship, you don’t have to wait and hope that things will get better.
The reasons why we have relationship difficulties are varied and unique to each of us. You may identify with problems such as:
Regardless if you’re in a newly formed relationship, long-term married, or looking for premarital counselling (pre marriage counselling), couple counselling will allow you and your partner to:
Maja Graljuk
The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy that includes a thorough assessment of the couple’s relationship and integrates research-based interventions based on the Sound Relationship House Theory. The goals of Gottman Method Couples Therapy are to disarm conflicting verbal communication, increase intimacy, respect, and affection, remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy, and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship.
Step 1: Initial Consultation (60-mins)
Maja will take the time to get to know you both as a couple, answering any questions you may have and discussing the process of couples therapy. She will gather information about your relationship dynamics and understand the reasons for seeking therapy.
Step 2: Individual Consultations (50-mins)
Each partner will meet Maja individually to discuss their relationship history and individual goals for therapy.
Step 3: The Online Gottman Relationship Assessment
Couples have the option to complete the online "Gottman Relationship Assessment," which evaluates various aspects of their relationship, including overall relationship health, friendship and intimacy, romance and passion, conflict management, shared meaning, and levels of trust and commitment.
Please note that there is a one-off fee of USD $39 for this assessment, paid directly to the Gottman Institute. Both partners will receive a direct link to complete the assessment.
The results will be sent to Maja for review, providing valuable insights that will enable her to tailor your therapy to address the areas of your relationship that require the most attention.
Step 4: Treatment Planning Consultation (60-mins):
The couple will attend together and work with Maja to define specific goals for therapy and engage in collaborative treatment planning.
Step 5: Treatment Consultations (60-mins):
Couples will initially attend consultations weekly or fortnightly as needed to meet their therapy goals. As progress is made, consults can become less frequent.
Between consultations, couples will be given ideas, activities, resources, and recommendations to support their goals. It's important to note that each couple is unique, and the number of consultations required will depend on your individual circumstances.
Phase Out Stage
In the later stage of therapy we will 'phase out’ and meet less frequently in order for you to test out new relationship skills and to prepare for termination of therapy.
Although you may terminate therapy whenever you wish it is most helpful to have at least one session to summarise progress, define the work that remains and say goodbye.
Outcome Evaluation Stage
In the outcome evaluation phase, following the Gottman Method, four follow-up consults are planned at 6-months, 12-months, 18-months, and two years. These consultations have been shown to significantly reduce the chance of relapse into previous unhealthy patterns.
Couple consultations are charged at $250 per 60-minutes. Individual consultations are charged at the Standard ($125) or After-Hours ($150) rate per 50-minutes.
Head Start Counselling
5/194 Pakington Street, Geelong West Victoria 3218, Australia
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