The Couples Journey
A trauma-informed, neuro-affirming approach
Relationships can be deeply rewarding — and sometimes challenging. Couples counselling isn’t about pointing fingers or “fixing” one person; it’s about creating a shared space where both partners feel heard, understood, and supported.
Counselling with me is held as a journey — a process that moves at your pace, helping you navigate difficulties, strengthen connection, and build shared resilience.
These stages are flexible and optional; they simply provide a map for the work you might choose to do together.
1. Safety & Understanding
The first step is creating emotional safety within the relationship and the counselling space.
We focus on establishing trust, understanding each partner’s perspective, and learning tools for calm, respectful communication.
Focus areas
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Grounding and emotional regulation
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Listening and understanding each other’s experiences
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Identifying patterns of conflict or disconnection
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Building early skills for communication and repair
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Usually 3–5 sessions, weekly or fortnightly.
The goal here is safety and understanding
— so that difficult conversations can happen without blame or overwhelm.
2. Exploring Patterns & Processing Conflict
Once safety is established, we explore the deeper patterns that shape how you relate — including past experiences, unmet needs, and recurring conflicts.
This stage is about uncovering the ‘why’ behind repeated challenges and supporting both partners to respond with empathy and clarity.
Focus areas
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Identifying recurring relational patterns
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Understanding emotional triggers
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Practicing compassionate communication
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Beginning to co-create solutions and agreements
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Usually 4–8 sessions, depending on your goals and pace.
This is where couples start to see the patterns clearly
— and notice how new ways of relating are possible.
3. Building Connection & Growth
With understanding in place, the focus moves to strengthening intimacy, collaboration, and shared goals.
We consolidate new skills, celebrate progress, and build strategies for sustaining connection through life’s ups and downs.
Focus areas
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Deepening emotional intimacy
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Strengthening collaboration and problem-solving
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Creating shared rituals and relationship practices
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Planning for long-term growth and resilience
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Usually 3–6 sessions, spaced as suits the couple.
This phase is about cultivating connection that feels
alive, balanced, and sustainable.
4. Ongoing Support
Some couples choose to have occasional check-ins after completing the main journey — a safe, trauma-informed and neuro-affirming space to reflect, address new challenges, or continue growth together.
These are available as single check-in sessions as needed.
The journey is guided by your goals and comfort.
These stages offer a roadmap, not a requirement, so both partners can feel secure in taking the next step — together.