02 4902 8900
02 4902 8900

Couples Counselling

“The best relationships are a balance of connection and freedom.”

-Esther Perel

At Rest in Essence, we hope to create a safe environment for couples to work in a strengths-based way, on what is important to them. This may involve enhancing intimacy, improving communication, deepening understanding and trust, or navigating relationship challenges or changes. Depending on context, timing and priorities, the couple may be seeking to repair and strengthen their connection, or they may be exploring mismatches or ambivalence toward their relationship.

Our therapists draw upon a range of concepts and skills, including Emotion-Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy, Family Systems, the Gottman Method and Discernment Counselling.

Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) aims to help partners recognise and express their underlying emotions, address unhelpful interactional patterns, and build a deeper sense of safety, trust, and closeness. EFT is a shorter-term treatment approach aimed at reconnecting couples. It has a strong evidence base linked with attachment theory, and research has shown it to be effective in reducing distress in couples and creates lasting improvements. This collaborative approach supports partners in strengthening trust, improving communication, and developing a more secure and resilient bond.

Schema Therapy for couples provides a model for formulating more complex couple dynamics partners. In identifying underlying schemas from past experiences or trauma. Individuals may come to better understand themselves and learn to alter unhealthy relationship patterns.

Couples can attend couples therapy at any stage in their relationship. Where possible, early intervention may be helpful for preventing escalation of conflict or other concerns. Couples work might assist people with a broad range of challenges, across the span of their relationship, including (not limited to):

  • Communication break downs or social withdrawal
  • Physical, sexual and emotional intimacy concerns
  • Trauma histories or health concerns impacting the couple’s connection
  • Escalation of conflict or patterns of discord
  • Helping repair from trust breaches and themes of betrayal
  • Family system changes and transitions
  • Situational, lifestyle or distance challenges
  • Navigating complexity and supported decision-making
  • Moving forward positively with co-parenting (if separation is decided)