Relationship & Couples Therapy
Create the relationship you want
Healthy relationships do not happen by accident. They are built through helpful communication, understanding, emotional connection, trust, and the willingness to grow together. Relationship therapy provides a supportive space to better understand the patterns within your relationship, strengthen communication, and create meaningful and lasting change together.
What is the purpose of Relationship Therapy?
Relationship Therapy is:
- A space to work together on the challenges within your relationship with the support of a therapist
- An opportunity to strengthen emotional connection, improve communication, and deepen understanding
- A process of learning new ways to respond to each other with greater awareness, care, and connection
- A place to create the kind of relationship you both want to experience
Relationship Therapy is NOT:
- A place for blame or criticism
- A process where one partner is identified as “the problem”
- A space where only one person is expected to change
Relationship therapy works best when both partners are open to curiosity, reflection, and working together toward shared goals.
Challenges Relationship Therapy Can Help With
Bonnie works with adults, couples, and individuals, and welcomes persons with diverse backgrounds.
Relationship therapy can help with:
Affairs and betrayal
Communication Problems
Conflict & Arguments
Attachment Challenges
Conflict Avoidance
Emotional Distance &
Drift
Emotional Intimacy
Rebuilding Trust
Cross-Cultural
Neurodiversity
Trauma
Loneliness
Lack of Intimacy
Different Emotional
Styles & needs
Impact of Stress
Life-Transitions &
Adjustment
Unresolved Conflict
Defensiveness
Criticism & Contempt
Stonewalling
How are Couple Therapy Sessions Structured?
Phase One – Assessment
The couples therapy journey begins with a Comprehensive Relationship Assessment. This
process helps identify both strengths and areas for growth so that therapy can be tailored
specifically to your relationship and goals.
Before booking the assessment appointment, both partners complete a detailed online
relationship questionnaire, which takes approximately one hour each to complete. This helps Bonnie understand the current challenges within the relationship before meeting with you and ensures there are no contraindications to therapy.
The Comprehensive Relationship Assessment appointment takes approximately four hours and includes:
A joint session exploring your relationship history and reasons for seeking therapy
An individual session with each partner to better understand personal history and experiences
A one-hour break
A joint feedback session discussing key relationship patterns and a tailored treatment plan
The assessment is conducted over a single morning or afternoon.
Phase Two – Treatment
Treatment begins after the assessment is completed. There are two therapy formats available depending on your needs, availability, and preferences.
1. Traditional Ongoing Sessions (Monday to Thursday)
Treatment sessions are 1 hour and 40 minutes long to allow space for meaningful conversations and deeper connection work without feeling rushed.
Sessions focus on structured conversations based on themes identified during the assessment process. Together, you will practice communication skills, improve understanding of each other’s experiences, and work toward healthier patterns of interaction.
Many couples initially attend sessions fortnightly. The number of sessions required varies depending on your relationship needs, though many couples attend between 7–10 treatment sessions, with additional sessions often recommended following affairs or significant betrayal.
2. Intensive Couples Therapy
Intensive (or Marathon) Couples Therapy is designed for couples experiencing significant distress, wanting more immediate progress, or finding it difficult to attend regular ongoing sessions.
This format typically involves two full days of immersive therapy shortly after the assessment
process. Intensive therapy allows couples to address key challenges, build new skills, and create meaningful movement in a condensed timeframe.
Full-day appointments include meal/rest breaks. Some couples continue with occasional ongoing sessions afterward, though often at a lower frequency. Intensive sessions are available Monday to Thursday. A Weekend Intensive Couples Therapy package is also available for couples with limited weekday availability.
Phase Three – Relapse Prevention
Following the active treatment phase, therapy transitions into shorter Relapse Prevention
Sessions designed to consolidate progress and support long-term change. These 50-minute
sessions are typically scheduled at 3, 6, and 12 months following treatment completion to help
maintain connection, communication, and relationship growth over time.
What is Gottman Method Couples Therapy?
Gottman Method Couples Therapy is a highly respected, evidence-based approach to
relationship therapy developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman following more than five decades of relationship research. Their research involved observing thousands of couples over many years to better understand the patterns associated with relationship success and distress.
Gottman Method Couples Therapy focuses on strengthening three core areas of a relationship:
- Friendship and emotional connection
- Helpful conflict management
- Shared meaning, values, and purpose
The approach integrates emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and practical strategies to help
couples improve communication, deepen intimacy, rebuild trust, and strengthen their relationship over time. The Gottman Method has been widely researched across diverse couples and relationship structures, including LGBTQ+ couples.
Questions for Relationships & Couple Therapy
Fees
How much do sessions cost?
Traditional Ongoing Sessions (Monday to Thursday)
- Comprehensive Relationship Assessment (4hr) — $1,120
- Treatment Session (1hr 40min) — $560
- Relapse Prevention Session (50min) — $280
Intensive Sessions
- Mini-Intensive (Half-Day) Session — $1,120
- Intensive Full-Day Session (7 hours) — $1,960
Weekend Intensive Couples Therapy Package — $4,340
- (Includes Saturday and Sunday Full-Day Intensive Sessions (8:30 am–4 pm)
- Weekend appointments are only available as part of the Weekend Intensive Couples Therapy Package.
- There is also the option to complete the Comprehensive Relationship Assessment on the Friday prior for an additional $1,240.
Is Relationship Therapy eligible for Medicare Rebate?
Unfortunately, Relationship therapy isn’t eligible for a Medicare rebate.
Can I/we use Private Health Insurance?
Some Private Health Insurers may provide partial rebates depending on your level of cover. Please contact your insurer directly to confirm your eligibility and level of coverage.
The item code for couples therapy sessions is 300.
Please note that Bonnie Ingram Psychology does not process private health rebates in clinic.
Receipts are provided for you to claim directly through your insurer.
Process
How do we book a session with Bonnie?
You are welcome to contact Bonnie through the Contact page to enquire about appointments and availability.
Before making an appointment, you and your partner will be required to complete the New Client Information (Privacy & Consent) forms. The comprehensive Gottman Questionnaire is also required to be completed before making the Comprehensive Relationship Assessment
appointment.
Do we need a referral for Relationship Therapy?
No, a referral isn’t required for Relationship or Couples Therapy.
How to prepare for your couple therapy session?
Once you decide to begin Relationship or Couples Therapy, it can be helpful to gently “call a truce” on ongoing relationship conflicts for the time being. Therapy is a commitment to rebuilding and strengthening your relationship, and in many ways, that process begins from the moment you make the appointment.
The concerns you are experiencing will be explored together during therapy in a structured and supportive way that allows both partners to feel heard, understood, and validated. Knowing there will soon be dedicated time and support to work through these challenges can create some relief from the pressure of trying to solve everything immediately on your own. For now, this can be an opportunity to step back from repeated conflict and instead begin thinking about what you would like to build together moving forward.
Some couples find it helpful to write down:
- Concerns they would like support with
- Goals for the relationship
- What they hope may feel different in the future
This can help organise thoughts while also allowing space to set those concerns aside until
therapy begins.
Gottman Method Couples Therapy
What is Gottman Method Couples Therapy?
Gottman Method Couples Therapy is a highly respected, evidence-based approach to relationship therapy developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman following more than four decades of relationship research. Through observing thousands of couples over many years, the Gottmans identified the relationship patterns associated with connection, stability, and long-term relationship success.
The Gottman Method focuses on strengthening three core areas of a relationship:
- Friendship and emotional connection
- Helpful conflict management
- Shared meaning, values, and purpose
The approach combines emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and practical strategies to help
couples improve communication, deepen intimacy, rebuild trust, and strengthen connection over time. Gottman Method Couples Therapy has been researched across diverse couples and relationship structures, including LGBTQ+ couples.
Do we have to do Gottman Method Couples Therapy?
Bonnie provides Gottman Method Couples Therapy. While therapy is always adapted to the
unique needs, experiences, and goals of each couple, the therapy process remains grounded
within the Gottman Method framework, including the structured assessment, treatment, and relapse prevention phases outlined on the Couples Therapy page.
It is important to find a therapist and therapy approach that feels aligned with your relationship needs. For some couples, the structured and comprehensive nature of Gottman Method Couples Therapy feels supportive and reassuring; for others, a different therapeutic approach may feel
more appropriate.
Gottman Method Couples Therapy was developed from extensive research into what helps relationships thrive and recover from distress. The approach has been tested across diverse couples and relationship structures, including LGBTQ+ couples, and focuses on strengthening friendship, improving conflict management, and building shared meaning within relationships.
Some Resources for Relationships & Couples
Videos
How to Complain Without Hurting Your Partner - Video
The Easiest Way to Improve Your Relationship - Video
Invest in Your Relationship - Video
What predicts the demise of a relationship - Video
PDF Downloads
Sound Relationship House - PDF download
Six hours to a Better Relationship - PDF download
Books
Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work - Book
What Makes Love Last - Book
Eight Dates - To keep your relationship happy, thriving and lasting- Book
Authors - John Gottman & Julie Schwartz Gottman with Doug Abrams & Rachel Carlton Abrams.
Purchase via The Gottman Institute
