Couples Therapy in Bendigo
Rebuilding Connection, Trust, and Understanding
Even strong relationships can move into difficult seasons. Communication can break down, distance can grow, and conflict can begin to feel overwhelming or repetitive.
Couples therapy in Bendigo offers a safe, structured space to slow things down, understand what has been happening between you, and begin rebuilding trust, connection, and emotional safety.
At Collaborative Connections Counselling, I provide couples counselling that focuses on practical communication skills, emotional awareness, and strengthening the bond between partners. My work draws on evidence-based approaches, including Gottman Method principles, while remaining flexible, respectful, and tailored to each couple.
What to Expect from Couples Counselling
Couples therapy is a collaborative process. Both partners are supported to feel heard, respected, and understood.
Rather than assigning blame or taking sides, therapy focuses on understanding patterns, building new skills, and creating space for repair and reconnection.
Phase 1: Relationship Assessment
The assessment phase provides a clear and compassionate understanding of your relationship before deeper therapy work begins. This helps ensure counselling is focused, balanced, and effective.
This phase includes:
Gottman Connect Questionnaire
Both partners complete a confidential online assessment exploring communication, friendship, conflict patterns, shared values, and emotional connection. The results are incorporated into your overall fee and provide a detailed picture of how your relationship is functioning day to day.Joint Relationship History Session (90 minutes)
We explore how your relationship began, key moments along the way, and the challenges you are currently facing.Individual Sessions (60 minutes each)
Each partner meets with me individually to share their perspective and what they hope to gain from counselling.Feedback and Goal-Setting Session (60 minutes)
We come back together to review themes from the assessment and sessions, clarify shared goals, and agree on a pathway forward.
By the end of this phase, you will have a shared understanding of what has been happening in your relationship and a clear plan for how we will work together.
Phase 2: Therapy Sessions
With a solid foundation in place, ongoing sessions focus on rebuilding trust, improving communication, and strengthening emotional safety.
Sessions may include guided conversations, reflection, and practical exercises to help you develop new ways of relating to one another. Therapy moves at a pace that feels manageable and respectful for both partners.
Phase 3: Integration and Practice
Between sessions, couples are encouraged to practise what we explore together. This may include communication tools, small rituals of connection, or strategies for managing conflict.
Over time, these practices support lasting change beyond the therapy room.
Phase 4: Maintenance and Growth
Some couples choose to return for occasional check-ins once core goals have been met. These sessions offer a chance to reflect on growth, address new challenges, and maintain connection over time.
Just like physical health, relationships benefit from ongoing care and attention.
Who Couples Counselling Can Help
Couples therapy may be helpful if you are:
Struggling with communication or ongoing conflict
Healing from hurt, betrayal, or loss of trust
Feeling disconnected or emotionally distant
Adjusting to major life transitions (parenthood, relocation, retirement)
Wanting to strengthen your relationship, not only repair it
A Collaborative Approach
My role is to help both partners feel heard, respected, and understood. Counselling is most effective when both people are committed to the process and open to exploring change. The goal is not simply to “fix” problems, but to strengthen the foundations of your relationship so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
A Balanced and Collaborative Approach
My role is to help both partners feel heard and supported. Counselling works best when both people are willing to engage honestly and reflect on change.
The goal is not to “fix” one person or decide who is right, but to strengthen the foundations of your relationship so you can move forward with greater clarity, understanding, and confidence.
Fees
Assessment Phase (per couple)
Gottman Connect questionnaire and administration: $220 (incl. GST)
90-minute joint relationship session: $308 (incl. GST)
Individual sessions (three × 60 minutes): $220 each (incl. GST)
Total assessment phase: $1188 (incl. GST)
This comprehensive assessment ensures couples counselling is appropriate at this time and allows therapy to begin with a clear, shared understanding of your relationship.
Ongoing Couples Counselling
60-minute session: $220 (incl. GST)
90-minute session: $308 (incl. GST)
Sessions are payable at the time of appointment by card or in advance by invoice.
Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice incur the full session fee.
Duration of Couples Therapy
The length of therapy varies depending on your goals, the complexity of issues, and both partners’ engagement.
Short-term (6–10 sessions):
Often suitable for specific concerns such as communication patterns or life transitions.Medium-term (10–20 sessions):
Common where trust repair, repeated conflict, or emotional disconnection are present.Longer-term (20+ sessions):
Sometimes needed for deep relational trauma or infidelity recovery.
Sessions are often spaced further apart as progress is consolidated.
Getting Started with Couples Counselling in Bendigo
If you’re ready to begin, you’re welcome to book an initial session or get in touch to ask questions.
Let’s start with a conversation about what’s happening in your relationship and what you hope to change.
👉 Fees and session information are outlined on the Fees and Practice Policies page.