Couples Counselling Brisbane
Couples counselling at The Good Life Therapy in Hawthorne provides a balanced and supportive space where both partners can share their perspectives, understand recurring relationship patterns and develop healthier ways of communicating
Our experienced couples therapists work collaboratively with you to identify shared goals and take practical steps towards rebuilding trust, strengthening connection and creating greater emotional safety within your relationship. We offer couples and relationship counselling in person for clients across Brisbane’s eastern suburbs, including Hawthorne, Bulimba, Balmoral and Morningside, as well as via Telehealth
Not sure which practitioner is right for you? Contact our team on 07 3063 1058 and we can help you find the most suitable match.
How we can help
Couples may seek counselling and therapy at many different stages of a relationship. You do not need to be in crisis or considering separation to benefit from support
Our couples counsellors can help with:
Communication difficulties and recurring arguments
Emotional distance or feeling more like housemates
Rebuilding trust following betrayal or infidelity
Intimacy and sexual concerns
Conflict about parenting, finances or family relationships
Adjusting to parenthood or other major life transitions
Differences in attachment, communication or emotional needs
Neurodivergence within relationships
Separation decisions and changing family circumstances
Strengthening an already healthy relationship
Our experienced couples counsellors and psychologists bring different areas of interest, therapeutic approaches and professional backgrounds. Explore their profiles below or contact our team for help choosing the practitioner who best suits your relationship needs.
Meet our Couples Counsellors
Roda Coleman
Registered Clinical Couples CounsellorRoda supports couples experiencing communication difficulties, disconnection, betrayal or recurring conflict, with a goal towards repair and reconnection. She helps partners rebuild trust, emotional safety and improve communication and provides support when considering separation or repairing a relationship following a crisis.
Anna Dekany
Registered PsychologistAnna supports individuals and couples to strengthen communication, navigate relationship challenges and build healthier, more connected relationships. As a triathlete and high performer, Anna understands the impact of pressure on relationships and incorporates the Gottman Method into her couples therapy
Tetiana Mozghova
Registered PsychologistTetiana works with couples and individuals experiencing relationship difficulties, family challenges, anxiety, grief and major life transitions. She provides a supportive space to understand recurring relationship patterns, communicate more effectively and develop healthier ways of connecting. Tetiana incorporates Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy principles into her work with couples.
Our approach to couples counselling is grounded in the belief that both partners deserve to feel heard, respected and supported. We provide a balanced space where couples can better understand recurring patterns, communicate more openly and work towards meaningful change together.
Our Approach to Couples Counselling
Lizzie Stafford
Director | Principal TherapistThe Good Life Therapy was founded by Director and Principal Therapist Lizzie Stafford with a vision to create a warm, safe and respectful space where individuals and couples could feel heard, supported and understood.
Lizzie’s extensive experience supporting couples through relationship difficulties, emotional disconnection, recurring patterns, communication challenges, separation decisions and rebuilding trust continues to shape our approach to couples counselling.
While Lizzie is not currently accepting new clients, she provides clinical leadership within The Good Life Therapy and supports the ongoing development of our couples counselling service.
Your Couples Counselling JourneyDuring your joint sessions, your therapist will help you recognise the patterns contributing to distress, understand each other’s perspectives and practise healthier ways of responding.
Therapy is tailored to your relationship and may focus on improving communication, managing conflict, rebuilding trust or creating greater clarity about the future. Your therapist remains balanced throughout the process and does not take sides or direct the outcome of your relationship
Couples Counselling FAQ
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Couples therapy begins with an initial joint session, where both partners meet with the counsellor to discuss what has brought them to counselling and identify their individual and shared goals.
Each partner then attends an individual session, providing an opportunity to explore their personal experiences, needs and perspective within the relationship. These sessions help the counsellor develop a fuller understanding of the relationship and the patterns that may be contributing to current difficulties.
Following the initial appointment, your counsellor may recommend an individual session with each partner before returning to joint sessions. This can provide an opportunity to better understand each person’s experiences, needs and perspective within the relationship. However, the structure of couples counselling will be tailored to your circumstances and individual sessions may not always be required.
At times, your counsellor may also recommend additional individual sessions to explore a particular concern, develop a specific skill or support the work taking place in your joint sessions.
Throughout the process, your counsellor will discuss the recommended approach with you. The balance of joint and individual appointments, as well as the pace, focus and number of sessions, will depend on your relationship needs and agreed goals.
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No, you do not need a referral for couples counselling. Simply book via the booking portal or contact the clinic on 3063 1058
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$260 - $330 Dependant upon Practitioner
*Please note - Couples Therapy is not eligible for Medicare Rebate
Availability is found online on our Booking Portal
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Couples Counselling is not eligible for a rebate with Medicare, however there maybe private health fund rebates available depending on your level of cover.
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It is common for one partner to feel uncertain or reluctant about couples counselling. They may be worried about being blamed, judged or pressured to discuss things before they feel ready.
Couples counselling is not about deciding who is right or taking sides. Your therapist provides a balanced and respectful space where both partners can share their perspectives and work towards goals they agree upon together. It may help to approach the first appointment as an opportunity to learn more about the process, rather than as a commitment to ongoing therapy.
If your partner is not ready to attend, you may still choose to seek individual support to explore your own needs, responses and relationship concerns.
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Couples Counselling is designed as a safe space to share your thoughts and feelings, discuss what matters to you in your relationship, and find healthy wants to reconnect with one another. Our therapists provide evidence-based strategies to work through your challenges, all with an impartial view.
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Separation can be a difficult time for all involved. Sometimes, therapy can be a helpful tool to reconnect and remember why you came together in the first place, work towards your strengths and weaknesses, and learn to understand one another again.
If you are choosing separation, couples counselling can help with reinforcing an amicable environment where your thoughts are shared and expressed in a safe way to help you transition towards the next stage of your lives -
While Couples Counselling is traditionally in-clinic, telehealth can be arranged
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Not every appointment. Couples counselling usually begins with both partners attending an initial joint session. Each partner then attends an individual appointment, giving your counsellor an opportunity to better understand your personal experiences, needs and perspective within the relationship.
Following these individual appointments, you will generally return to attending sessions together. Your counsellor will discuss the recommended structure with you and may adjust it depending on your relationship needs and therapy goals.
