Couples Therapy
What is Couples Therapy?
Couples therapy can help you at any stage of your relationship, regardless of marital status, age, race, faith, or sexual orientation.
Some forms of this therapy include marriage counselling, premarital counselling, and family therapy. It is typically a short-term form of therapy.
DHW primarily uses Emotion-focused therapy (EFT), which focuses on improving the attachment and bonding between you and your partner. Our psychologists help you understand and change patterns that lead to feelings of relationship disconnection and distress.
Our psychologists employ an integrated approach to treatment, borrowing techniques from different forms of therapy when needed and depending on your needs.
Some of the strategies our psychologists might use include:
Getting to know you: In this step, we actively and collaboratively work with you and your partner to create a sense of safety and understanding. Our goal is to help you understand yourself and your partner better, fostering a deeper connection and mutual respect.
Identifying and expressing feelings: Our psychologists help you and your partner identify feelings and put them into words to one another.
Exploring the past: Couples therapy often involves exploring your past, which can help you better understand your fears, motivations, and behaviours in a relationship. It can also help address unresolved conflicts that affect your present.
Focusing on solutions: We will also work with you and your partner to resolve issues, correct negative behaviour patterns, and focus on positive aspects of the relationship.
Teaching skills: Couples therapy is not just about understanding, but also about equipping you and your partner with practical skills. Our psychologists can help you learn anger management, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills. The aim is to empower you to deal with issues as they arise, fostering a healthier and more resilient relationship.
Structure of Couples Therapy
Session Length:
80 minutes for couples sessions
Format:
Face-to-face or online options available
Initial Process:
First session: Both partners together
Following sessions: Individual 50-minute sessions with each partner
Subsequent sessions: Primarily with both partners
Additional individual sessions as needed
Duration:
Continues until relationship goals are met or as long as needed
Additional Support:
Email summaries provided after each session, including key points and tasks
Cost for Couples Therapy
Not covered by Medicare's Better Access Scheme
Each partner charged separately for joint sessions
Costs per 80-minute session (per partner):
Provisional Psychologist: $135 (Total $270)
Registered Psychologist: $145.35 (Total $290.70)
Clinical Psychologist: $158.35 (Total $316.70)
4. Potential for private health insurance claims on individual portions
5. Individual sessions (50 minutes) may be eligible for Medicare rebates with Registered or Clinical psychologists
Because we bill each individual clients may be able to claim their portion of the couples therapy session (e.g., $135 / $145.35 / $158.35) with their private health insurer*.
Individual sessions that you may have with the psychologist as part of your overall wellbeing journey are eligible for Medicare rebates with Registered or Clinical psychologists. For individual sessions, our full individual 50-minute session rates apply (minus any Medicare rebates applied).
*Please consult with your private health insurer to determine if you may be eligible for any rebates or coverage.