Relationships take active work and the right support
“Successful long-term relationships are created through small words, small gestures, and small acts.” ― John M. Gottman
Abuse
“The only people who get upset about you setting boundaries are the ones who were benefiting from you having none.” – Unknown
Abuse can be anything from physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, financial or neglect.
The effects of abuse-related trauma impact both the mind and body. Abuse can leave long-lasting emotional scars, leading to anxiety, depression, and trust issues. Physical symptoms like chronic pain and sleep disorders are also common.
As Gabor Maté states, “trauma is not what happens to you but what happens inside you.”
Recognising these signs, and finding support is crucial in the healing process. The path to recovery is different for everyone, but you don’t have to carry it alone.
Attachment Therapy
How do your early attachment experiences influence your relationships today?
Explore the secure, anxious, and avoidant attachment styles, and reflect on how they might shape your emotional connections.
Ever wondered why certain patterns repeat in your relationships? Attachment therapy unravels these mysteries, offering insights into how understanding and healing attachment wounds can enhance the quality of your connections.
Discover the transformative power of exploring your attachment history and forging healthier, more secure relationships.
Conflict Management
“Conflict is connection. It’s how we figure out who we are, what we want, who our partners are and who they are becoming, and what they want. It’s how we bridge our differences and find our similarities, our points of connection. The problem is, we haven’t been taught how to do it right.” – Julie Schwartz Gottman
Delving into conflict management can open doors to healthier relationships and personal growth.
Instead of avoiding disagreements, what if you could transform them into catalysts for understanding and connection?
Consider the potential of conflict management therapy, where the focus is not just on resolution but on personal and relational transformation. How might your life change if conflicts became stepping stones towards greater self-awareness and improved communication?
The idea is not merely to navigate conflicts but to harness their power for personal and collective growth.
Sex and intimacy
“What makes sex magnificent? What are the qualities of extraordinary erotic intimacy and what are the elements that help to bring it about? Is great sex the stuff that people remember nostalgically from the “honeymoon” phase of their relationships, or can sex improve over time?” – Peggy Kleinplatz
When couples struggle with intimacy, it’s often due to shifts in their relationship or personal growth. Therapy encourages both partners to explore these changes together and talk openly about their evolving needs, desires, and concerns. It’s like inviting both of you to sit down and openly share what’s going on emotionally and physically in a safe, non-judgmental space.
Intimacy is dynamic, and sometimes, it means relearning how to connect. You may feel disconnected, but that’s a signal to dive deeper into understanding each other. These conversations allow you to express where you’re at, identify what’s missing, and discover new ways to rekindle closeness.
LGBTQIA+ Relationships
The LGBTQIA+ dating scene is unique and evolving rapidly. I believe the influence of dating apps has changed queer relationships, sex and connection. Combine this with traumas and experiences from the past, getting into a relationship can get complicated very quickly.
Sex, drugs and objectification have become heavily normalised, you become reduced to a number on a screen. Yet at the core, the needs of the people in our community is not so different.
Therapy can be a space to unpack these experiences, while exploring how the different parts we contribute are impacting our partner and our relationship. “It’s not what you say or how you say it. It’s where it comes from.”
Explore couple’s therapy models that address the specific dynamics within same-sex relationships, and how can they strengthen the foundation of love and commitment.
Improving Communication
“The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard.” – William Hazlitt
Ever wondered about the science behind lasting connections? The art of communication involves a practical understanding of emotional bids, turning towards each other, and the magic ratio that fosters relationship bliss.
Meanwhile, we also explores the power of emotional connection as a foundation for secure and fulfilling relationships. What if you could decode the silent dance of emotions in your relationship? How might understanding your partner’s deepest longings?
Parenthood
“Your children are not your children…they come through you but not from you.” – Kahlil Gibran
Embarking on the journey of parenthood is a transformative experience, and seeking support can make the adventure smoother.
Have you explored insights on building a strong emotional connection with your partner amid the challenges of parenting? It’s important to continue to maintain intimacy and friendship within your relationship.
In therapy, we delve into understanding how nurturing a secure emotional bond can enhance your journey into parenthood.
Together we explore psychological theories that can provide valuable tools for strengthening your partnership as you navigate the rewarding yet demanding path of being parents together. Remember, seeking support is a proactive step towards creating a resilient and fulfilling family dynamic.
Narcissistic Relationships
“Narcissists devalue people they envy. If this doesn’t work, they attempt to destroy them.” – Sam Vaknin
This topic is very polarising. Exploring the complexities of narcissism in relationships can be both enlightening and challenging.
Are you experiencing a pattern of emotional highs and lows, where your partner’s needs consistently overshadow your own? Reflect on whether there’s a consistent lack of empathy or an exaggerated sense of self-importance in your relationship. If you find yourself in a cycle, have you searched about the narcissistic cycle of abuse?
Delve into the research-based approaches to gain insights into the intricacies of narcissistic dynamics and the different types of narcissists with a qualified practitioner.
Infidelity
Can a marriage be saved after an affair?
Discovering infidelity can feel devastating, but with the right guidance, a marriage can be salvaged. Affairs often signal deeper issues within the relationship. By understanding these underlying problems, couples can work through them and potentially emerge stronger.
Although no therapist can offer a quick fix, marriage counselling can support the healing process after an affair. Rebuilding trust and the relationship itself is achievable over time, as long as both partners are willing to explore and address the root causes of their difficulties.