Relationship therapy intensives
Want change fast? We offer 1- and 3-day relationship intensives for you to deep dive and fast-track relationship healing and growth.
Imagine having 6 months of relationship growth in 3 days!
Also known as Marathon Relationship Therapy, these intensives are a condensed and focused approach to relationship therapy that provide you with dedicated time to go deeper than you would in a standard therapy session. We work intensely to address specific issues, and give your relationship momentum.
Prior to the intensives we will meet online and go over your therapy goals and identify which issues need attention. You will complete a comprehensive relationship assessment and provide a full family and relationship history.
On the day, you will have ample time to talk in depth about the relationship in a way that cannot happen in traditional couple’s therapy. We work in a way where you don’t have to worry about needing to wrap things up before the session ends.
What happens...
You will have the opportunity to process any past hurts and wounds and understand their impact upon the relationship. You will also learn and practice new communication, conflict management and repair skills as well as develop resources to navigate each other’s attachment styles and stay co regulated.
After the intensive, you receive a handout with everything covered and tips to build upon the experience. Three-day intensives also include a follow up session to track progress and fine tune anything that needs attention.
During these sessions we draw upon our extensive training in the Psychobiological Approach to Couple’s Therapy (PACT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method and Family and Systemic Therapy to help create a safe space and find the tools and resources to support you.
Relationship intensives are good for couples who need immediate help and support in a sustained way or for couples who are starting out in therapy and want to get some runs on the board quickly. They are also suitable for couples living in remote or regional areas that would struggle to attend regular therapy sessions or for couples whose schedules do not allow for them to attend regular therapy.
Relationship intensives are good for :
Couples who need immediate help and support in a sustained way or for couples who are starting out in therapy and want to get some runs on the board quickly.
They are also suitable for couples living in remote or regional areas that would struggle to attend regular therapy sessions or for couples whose schedules do not allow for them to attend regular therapy.
Intensive fees
1-day intensive: $1700 (Saturdays only)
Includes 30-minute introductory call, initial assessment and 6 hours of therapy.
3-day intensive: $5000 (Friday-Sunday)
Includes 30-minute introductory call, initial assessment, 18 hours of therapy spread across 3 days and a 1-hour follow up session.
Frequently asked questions
If you’re considering therapy, you might have some questions about the process and what to expect. These questions might apply more generally and not just to working with me.
Below are some of the more frequently asked questions I get asked regarding psychotherapy…
Click on the question to expand the answer.
If you cannot find your question below, you might also like to look at the How I work page or contact me directly.
What will happen during the intensives?
Some of the things that you should expect during the intensives include:
- A full of assessment of your relationship dynamic as well as presenting issues, areas for growth and areas of strength, as well as an understanding of your individual attachment strategies and how they affect your relationship
- An assessment of how family of origin and previous relationships affect your relationship, particularly in relation to attachment strategies
- An opportunity to speak at length and in-depth about your relationship as well as space for any concerns you have regarding it
- The opportunity to go over your relationship aspirations
- Exercises to help create mutual understanding of each other’s ‘relationship wiring’ and to build capacity for self- as well as co-regulation
- Deconstruction of each partner’s non-verbal interaction and communication cues, so as to understand and read each other more effectively
- Assessment and interpretation of each partner’s individual communication style to manage or avoid miscommunication or conflict
- Learn how to mutually compromise in order to overcome the big relationship blocks
- Obtain tools for creating better sex and intimacy
- A deeper sense of relationship meaning and purpose
- Techniques to strengthen your ‘couple bubble’ and create a safer, more secure relationship
Who are intensives recommended for?
The 1-day intensives are suggested for couples who do not have significant issues affecting their relationship, who are not in crisis, but wish to work on their relationship. It is also suitable for couples who are beginning therapy and wish to make inroads quickly. Research on couples therapy suggests that “stacking” sessions at the beginning leads to quicker and longer-lasting change. The 3-day intensives are recommended for couples facing significant issues or who are in crisis.
Intensives are also recommended for couples living in remote or regional areas who would find it hard to attend regular couple’s therapy.
When are couples therapy intensives NOT recommended?
Intensives are not recommended under the following situations:
- Where there is active alcohol and/or drug addiction on the part of either or both partners, from either partner’s perspective
- Where there is serious and ongoing family violence in your relationship, including threats by one or both partners that violence might occur, or fear of violence occurring on the part of one or both partners. (Family violence includes the use of physical, emotional, verbal, sexual and financial violence)
- If one or both partners has a diagnosed and untreated mental illness (i.e. schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, bipolar or recurrent major depressive disorder or psychotic disorders). This does not include previous, successfully treated psychotic episodes
- If there is an undisclosed, current affair that you are not willing to disclose (such secrets indicate relationship therapy failure) or an ongoing affair that the partner having the affair is not willing to end
- If one or both partners are currently experiencing suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or has a history of serious harm inflicted on themself or others
If you have any questions regarding suitability, please contact me for clarification about whether Intensive Couple’s Therapy is suitable for you.
What are your booking and cancellation policies?
For 1-day intensives, I require a $400 deposit to be paid within 3 days of receiving booking confirmation. If you need to cancel your booking, I request 48 hours notice. The booking deposit is non-refundable should you cancel your appointment within 48 hours.
For 3-day intensives, I require a $1000 deposit to be paid within 3 days of receiving booking confirmation. If you need to cancel your booking, I request 7 days notice. The booking deposit is non-refundable should you cancel your appointment within 7 days.
Frequently asked questions
If you’re considering therapy, you might have some questions about the process and what to expect. These questions might apply more generally and not just to working with me.
Below are some of the more frequently asked questions I get asked regarding psychotherapy…
Click on the question to expand the answer.
If you cannot find your question below, you might also like to look at the How I work page or contact me directly.
What happens in our first session?
Before your session, you may feel a little nervous or awkward. There may be some resistance to turning up on the day- this is perfectly normal!
During the first session, we will discuss the issues you want to work with. The first session can sometimes be the most challenging part of therapy and the most difficult, particularly if you’ve never spoken about your problems before. It can also be very relieving to get these issues off your chest!
We will go over the practicalities, such as professional boundaries, confidentiality, fees, cancellations and any questions you might have.
It is a chance for us to get to know each other. We can see if we are a ‘good fit’ to work together and if the way I work meets your needs. You will have a good sense of this after the session. You can ask yourself the following questions.
Did you feel:
- like we clicked?
- that I understood you and the issues you came with?
- safe or at ease to talk with me?
This advice also applies to any other therapist you want to work with.
How often will I need to attend?
If there is too much of a gap between sessions, progress can be slow or minimal. On the other hand, having sessions too frequently can lead to burn-out.
For that reason, when we first work together and depending upon your needs, I generally suggest meeting weekly for 6-8 sessions, so that we can build rapport and develop momentum. If more sessions are required, we will usually meet fortnightly or monthly depending upon your needs and circumstances.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends. Some people prefer to come to resolve a specific issue and are happy to go on with their lives. Others come for medium- to long-term therapy, which allows time and space to explore themselves and their relationships in greater depth and more resembles personal-development. Therapy can be a fantastic means to cultivate greater self-awareness and understanding.
During our initial session, we will discuss your goals and expectations and determine what suits you best.
I/We need therapy. Is there something wrong with me/us?
Absolutely not.
There is a perception that people who attend therapy have something wrong with them, are broken or just wallowing in self-pity. Nothing could be further from the truth.
It’s common for individuals and couples to seek out external help when they are unable to resolve personal issues themselves. An impartial person’s perspective can be valuable in providing insight that is not obvious from the inside.
Therapy can also be a fantastic form of personal development, even when there are no problems or issues. It can help develop tools and create greater insight into our lives and deepen our relationships.
Therapy is not a short-term fix, but it can provide long-lasting change.
How do I know you're the right therapist for me?
Therapy depends on the strength of the relationship between you and your therapist. For that reason, it’s essential to work with someone you feel like you click with.
I recommend reading my About and How I work pages to get a sense of me and my approach.
You can also book in a free 20-minute phone consultation, so we can discuss your needs and how I might be able to help.
Likewise, if I don’t feel that we are a good fit, I can refer you to another therapist who I think might be better suited.
Can you fix me/my relationship?
The short answer is that in therapy, there are no guarantees. It would be unethical of me to make such promises.
The longer answer is that I do not believe we should view people or relationships as broken. You may feel broken at times in your life. This is a common experience for many people. But humans are not machines to be repaired like a broken watch. We are complex, evolving organisms.
I think it is better to see ourselves having integrated parts and less integrated parts. When we feel broken, those unintegrated parts have more power. Therapy is a process of integration.
In our sessions, I will provide you with tools and resources and create a safe space for you. Ultimately the work that happens is your own. It is a process of self-discovery.
Why Right Relationship?
Right Relationship is more than a business name. It is my mission statement.
Right relationship is a concept that refers to a way of relating that honours and respects the integrity, dignity and sovereignty of ourselves and each other. When we meet each other (and our world) with these qualities then we are in right relationship.
Standing in a place of right relationship involves healing trauma, deepening connection, clarifying values, embracing integration and embodiment, and learning to love and respect the natural world we live in.
This has been my life’s work and I am passionate about helping people attain right relationship in their own lives.
Do you offer any concession rates?
I only offer concessions to individuals and couples who are in medium or long-term therapy and who have limited financial means. I do not offer concession rates for short-term therapy (less than 10 sessions).
Do I get a Medicare rebate?
No. Only clinical psychologists and mental health care social workers are eligible for Medicate rebates.
Can I get a health fund rebate?
I am registered with the following health funds: Police Health Fund, Emergency Services Health, Phoenix Health, St Lukes Health, GMHBA and CUA Health (telehealth only), Teachers Union Health, AIA and Westfund.
Please let me know prior to your session if you need an invoice for any of these funds. For any funds not listed, please contact your provider.
I see you are trained as a shiatsu therapist. Do you offer bodywork?
No. I no longer offer bodywork sessions to the public. However, my background in bodywork and movement has a significant influence on my approach to therapy.
Where appropriate, I often recommend clients obtain bodywork to accompany their sessions, as they complement each other. If this is something within your means, I can provide a referral upon request.
From time to time I run shiatsu workshops for couples. Register for updates to be notified of the next workshop.
I am an associate member of the Shiatsu Therapist Association Australia (STAA).
What is the difference between a counsellor, psychotherapist and psychologist?
In Australia, there is no formal distinction between a counsellor and a psychotherapist.
Generally, you see a counsellor for a specific issue and for a shorter period of time. Psychotherapists support you with more in-depth or general problems, across a longer duration. Some people like to attend psychotherapy to explore their lives and relationships, to gain greater clarity, meaning and purpose.
A psychologist is an individual who has completed a psychology degree and generally ascribes to the ‘medical model’ of mental health. This approach means they diagnose in terms of mental illness set out in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Many psychologists operate on a cognitive (thinking) level and are unconcerned with deeper aspects of the self. They are focused on treating symptoms and getting you back to ‘normal’.
As a psychotherapist, I do not work within the medical model, which means I do not diagnose or pathologize. I also do not prescribe medications. For more information about my approach, you might like to read the How I work page.
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Take the First Step Towards Change
Healthy relationships are not about perfection. They are built through safety, understanding, communication and repair. Therapy can help you better understand yourself, your nervous system and the patterns that shape the way you connect with others.
Whether you’re seeking support individually or within your relationships, we offer a warm, non-judgemental space for growth, healing and deeper connection.