Relationship Counselling
Intimate relationships often begin with shared interests, exploration and fun new experiences - and as partners get to know one another some power struggles can emerge. Navigating and accepting each other's differences is very important for relationship development.
Relationships flourish with gentle interpersonal understanding. They transition into stability, security and accepted routine, where couples commit to longer-term plans. The partnership is formalized in co-creation, working towards common goals like building a family, home life or shared vision.
During these growth phases, relationship counselling can be helpful to foster open, honest communication leading to deep trust. Many couples benefit from having a protected, non-judgemental space to discuss relationship challenges and differences. Counsellors work to ensure that both partners feel heard, valued, respected, trusted, safe and supported. New insights often emerge, and both partners learn to resolve conflicts constructively while keeping the romance alive with shared activities, surprises and regular expressions of love.
And when it is not going so well - a struggling relationship can be overwhelming and feels very private.
Self-blame, guilt, and shame may arise, making behaviours hard to manage.
Harsh words, hurt feelings, old wounds, and broken trust often emerge.
Relationships can become very conflicted, with a lot of unending arguments.
The space becomes loud, like a 'tug-o-war', with each person trying to maintain their way of doing and being at any cost.
The relationship becomes competitive, there is always a "winner", always a "loser".
The environment becomes very "positional", with raised voices, finger-pointing and blame.
It's no longer fun, and all relationships become very tense.
Where safe to do so, Thoughtful Connections offers relationship counselling for intimate partners, family members, parents and children (over age of 7) and other types of non-intimate relationships such as friends, colleagues or workmates.
Our practitioner Frederica has also trained in mediation and family dispute resolution, and can also provide advice on conflict resolution, parenting plans, and healthy family separation or "healthy uncoupling". Please get in touch to discuss your particular situation.
In families, tension affects everyone - adults, children and even pets.
Relationship conflict can strain family dynamics, leading to tension, miscommunication, and emotional stress. Children and adolescents can face developmental challenges, experiencing difficulty managing their emotions, not performing well at school, having trouble forming trusting relationships. Family pets can also sense the family's tensions, which can result in changes to their behaviours and wellbeing.
Resolving conflict is essential for family harmony. All relationships go through struggles, not just intimate partner relationships - parents try to maintain boundaries in parenting, whether together or separated - children grow and want to become individuals in their own right. Maybe the 'in-laws' learning how to get along with new members of the family, or grandparents trying to stay connected with the young generations after family rifts.
Home can become a healthier, happier emotional environment for everyone, a place where everything feels less tense and unpredictable, and where a more nurturing atmosphere supports children's emotional and cognitive development.
A whole-of-family/group approach to counselling can change conflict-resolution strategies to improve the emotional environment for everyone, ultimately supporting the growth and development of children and adolescents. Family counselling can help restore trust and communication, strengthen relationships and the overall dynamics of the family or group.
Ultimately, counselling empowers families to address issues together and promotes well-being and balance for all family members - including domestic pets and fur-babies.
There are so many different types relationships in the world: these can be respectful, cordial, diplomatic. In most types of groups one usually finds hierarchy and power dynamics.
In today's world, people with different cultures and different communication styles often have to come together and coexist in what is often a pressured environment to meet goals and KPIs.
Community group members may contend with challenges brought about by differences in ages, beliefs, culture or customs.
Whatever type of relationship you might be in, time inevitably brings change and possible challenges, and relationship counselling can help to address tensions, communication issues or dynamics which impact on morale, function and wellness.