“Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new.”
—Ursula K. Le Guin
Couples Counselling
If you’re struggling with communication issues or with intimacy or with both. If you’re feeling stuck or experiencing some kind of relationship distress, Core Counselling can help you and your partner identify negative patterns and build on making new choices and changes.
Communication Issues
BLAME, SUFFERING and LONELINESS are frequent visitors that take over the INTIMACY and CONNECTION we long for with our partner.
Once negative patterns set in, it gets harder and harder to find moments of togetherness and like a bad record, those same hot headed arguments or icy tones become the soundtrack of our lives.
Feeling safe and connected and that you can still be you, is core to being in a healthy partnership. Couples counselling helps redefine boundaries and re-establish a secure foundation. Making the first step is hard but the sooner you jump in to address communication, old wounds and negative patterns, the sooner you’ll start to reconnect.
“We went to see Charlotte to helps us recalibrate our 30 year relationship after some challenging times and in readiness for a change in life circumstances for us. A great decision as Charlotte was incredibly warm and engaging making us feel comfortable from the start. It felt like talking with a friend to review our relationship, find our strengths and look honestly at areas where we needed to rebuild. She is a great listener and can quickly identify what is going on. We walked away feeling we were back on the right path with clear strategies that were still our responsibility to implement. ”
The Core Counselling Approach
At all times, a collaborative approach is encouraged between the counsellor and the couple and regular check-ins and opportunities for feedback occur.
Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFCT)
An experiential modality that focuses on emotions, recognising them as a powerful agent of change. Cycles and patterns of communication are identified and ultimately, a sense of secure, positive connection is fostered.
The Gottman Method
Supports couples to reduce conflict by noticing and naming behaviours. And aims to increase intimacy by improving friendship, deepening emotional connection, and creating change. This is a constructive and psycho-educational approach.
The Core Counselling Process
Email followed up with a phone conversation with one or both parties, as required
First appointment scheduled
Online intake forms and questionnaires filled out separately and kept confidentially
Session 1: 90 minutes together, initial assessment
Sessions 2 + 3: 60 minutes separately via phone
Session 4 onwards: 60 minutes together
Face to face sessions are optimal. Online sessions are possible
Average number of sessions (usually 60 minutes): 8-20
Session length: 60 or 90 mins as agreed
Where to start?
Schedule a free 20 minute chat to discuss your issues.
Meet Pat & Wallace
One example of how many of us get stuck in a negative cycle….
Special thanks to Sharon Mead for this video