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Our Couples Therapist
Meet Tara
Tara Skipp is a registered Counsellor holding a Masters in Counselling from Monash University. She has completed comprehensive training in Gottman Therapy at both Level 1 and Level 2. Tara's approach to Relationship Counselling primarily follows the structured framework of Gottman Therapy. However, her therapeutic practice also draws upon her studies and practical experience in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples, as well as Mindfulness-based Interventions.
How Can Relationship Therapy Help?
Our Approach
Are you and your partner experiencing challenges in your relationship that seem insurmountable? Do you find yourselves trapped in a cycle of arguments, misunderstandings, and emotional distance? If so, you're not alone. Many couples face these issues at some point in the lifetime of their relationships, and seeking help through relationship counselling can be a valuable investment.
Relationship Therapy can help with:
Communication Issues, Conflict Resolution, Rebuilding Trust, Enhancing Emotional Intimacy, Strengthening Friendship, Managing Life Transitions and Improving Sex and Romance.
Inclusivity is foundational to all forms of therapy at our clinic. We welcome people from a all parts of the relationship diversity spectrum, it doesn't matter to us if you're Dating or Married, Defacto, or in an ENM relationship, or if you are Straight, Gay, Transgender, Queer, or Intersex. You are welcome here.
We are a member of the Welcome Here Project which supports businesses and services throughout Australia to create and promote environments that are visibly welcoming and inclusive of our LGBTIQ communities. Our methods are in line with the Gold Standard for couples therapy and are reliable and effective therapies in helping straight and queer couples create successful relationships.
The only relationships we can't work with are those that have current domestic violence, active affairs or secret keeping, alcohol or other drug dependence or mental illness which gets in the way of therapy. In these situations we can help direct you to the right support before couples therapy can commence.
What to Expect
People who enter into Couples Therapy with us begin with an assessment process that then
informs the therapeutic framework and intervention:
STEP 1. Initial session: You can expect a warm and welcoming atmosphere where the therapist will focus on building rapport and trust with both partners. The session will typically begin with an open discussion where you and your partner can share your concerns, challenges, and goals for therapy. The therapist will use this time to gain a preliminary understanding of your relationship dynamics and will provide an overview of the Gottman approach, setting the stage for the assessment phase that follows.
STEP 2. Assessment: A session together, followed by interviews with each partner are conducted.
Couples complete online questionnaires and then receive detailed feedback on their relationship.
STEP 3: The couple and therapist decide on the type, frequency and duration of the sessions.
STEP 4: Interventions are designed to help couples strengthen their relationships in
three primary areas: friendship, conflict management, and creation of shared meaning.
Interventions designed to increase closeness and intimacy are used to improve friendship, deepen
emotional connection, and create changes which enhances the couples shared goals. Couples learn to
replace negative conflict patterns with positive interactions and to repair past hurts and prevent relapse.
COSTS: $260 per session for joint sessions, $260 for a comprehensive assessment with both parties.
A non refundable deposit of $100 will be sought before all sessions.
Alternatively some people may wish to have some counselling on their own, to work on relationship issues or skills like communication. You may also have a partner who is not quite ready to engage in the process with you. Individual counselling is the most appropriate option in this case.
For more information on the Gottman Method, head to our blog where we discuss more!
Get on the list for Couples Therapy
Register your interest and we will contact you!