Navigating Rough Waters: How Relationship Counselling Can Help

Relationships can be hard to navigate, and sometimes we may need professional support. Relationship counselling is a positive way to strengthen relationships and overcome disputes. Find out more about the benefits of counselling, how they can help and what is the process. Let’s take a closer look.   

How Does Counselling Work?

Struggling in a difficult relationship can negatively impact a persons’ self-esteem, confidence and well-being. Counselling is a very effective way to overcome relationship issues, as counsellors can provide practical tools to help people understand and identify problems and areas for change to improve relationships. A skilled marriage counsellor will provide a safe, impartial environment for couples to find purpose within the relationship. They can help to cultivate a sense of understanding and reconciliation to enable couples to move forward together, with a stronger bond. The support services can include the following:

• Explore options and opportunities to overcome conflict
• Help to establish positive goals within the relationship
• Provide therapy and strategies for healing 
• Provide relationship support
• Guidance to improve communication
• Identify relationship strengths
• Provide a supportive environment to discuss concerns

Common Relationship Issues

Relationships can be challenging, especially when managing different backgrounds, cultures and personalities. Professional counsellors can provide support for people living with mental health, lifestyle or emotional problems. Family relationship centres can help people strengthen relationships, resolve conflict and form positive relationship habits.  Relationship counselling can assist with the following issues:

• Communication issues
• Help manage separation and relationship loss
• Financial issues
• Loss of trust and honesty
• Overcome trauma or the impact of family violence and abuse
• Sexual difficulties or lack of intimacy
• Relationship conflict
• Chronic health issues 
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Parenting issues
• Blended family issues
• Controlling behaviour
• Mental health issues

What Are The Benefits Of Counselling?

Counselling allows participants to explore different approaches to resolving issues and creating new methods to connect and communicate to help develop healthy relationships.  Strategies obtained through counselling can help to create lasting change and a more genuine connection by rebuilding trust. A couples counselling session can highlight positive attributes and strengths to help couples overcome challenges and provide tools and support to help them navigate issues effectively.  Rebuilding trust and intimacy in a relationship through honest and respectful communication can help change negative patterns that previously existed. Couples who create new healthy relationship habits, such as learning conflict resolution skills and working on personal connections, can reduce marital distress and anxiety. Many issues within a marriage stem from repetitive patterns and areas of conflict. Couples counselling provides an opportunity to identify core issues of importance and negotiate a way to meet each other’s needs. Couples can establish a common sense of purpose and work together to heal past hurt and focus on the future.

Where Can You Get Help?

Several different relationship support services exist for families, individuals and communities across Australia. Some specialist services are private or community based, and other family relationship centres are funded by the Australian Government, such as Relationships Australia. Services provided are for all members of the community, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, lifestyle, economic circumstances or cultural background.

• Relationships Australia 
• Counsellor
• Psychologist
• Social Worker
• General Practitioner
• Family Relationships Advice Line
• Parentline
• Domestic Violence Counselling Service
• LGBTIQA+ Counselling Service

What Costs Are Involved?

There are several options for relationship counselling in Australia, and depending on the type of service, the fees can vary. For some there is no cost, such as a community based program.  Specialised marriage support psychologists and counsellors are accredited, highly qualified, experienced professionals whos services may be subsidised through Medicare or private health insurance. Sometimes fees will apply, considerations will be made based on income and applicable concessions, and in some cases, the fees can be waived. 

Summary

Struggling in a difficult relationship can negatively impact a person’s self-esteem, confidence and well-being. Counselling is a very effective way to overcome relationship issues, as counsellors can provide practical tools to help people identify problems and areas for change to improve family relationships. Relationship counselling can assist with a variety of different issues, such as, communication, financial, health and parenting issues, family violence, relationship conflict or alcohol or substance abuse. Family relationship centres can help people strengthen relationships, resolve conflict and form positive relationship habits. Counselling allows participants to explore different approaches to resolving issues and creating new methods to connect and communicate. Several different relationship support services exist for families, individuals and communities across Australia. Services provided are for all members of the community, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, lifestyle, economic circumstances or cultural background.

FAQs

What Does Relationship Counselling Involve?

Professional counsellors can provide support for people living with mental health, lifestyle or emotional problems.  The counselling process is a very effective way to overcome relationship issues, as counsellors can provide practical tools to help people understand and identify problems, and areas for change to improve relationships. Counselling services allows participants to explore different approaches to resolving issues and creating new methods to connect and communicate to help develop healthy, respectful relationships. Relationship counselling can assist with a variety of different issues, such as,: communication, financial, health and parenting issues, family violence, relationship conflict or alcohol or substance abuse. 

Does Counselling Actually Help Relationships?

Strategies obtained through counselling can help to create lasting change and a more genuine connection by rebuilding trust. A couples counselling session can highlight positive attributes and strengths to help couples overcome challenges, and provide tools and support to help them navigate issues effectively. Many issues within a marriage stem from repetitive patterns and areas of conflict. Couples counselling provides an opportunity to identify core issues of importance and negotiate to find a way to meet each other’s needs. Couples can establish a common sense of purpose and work together to heal past hurt and focus on the future. A skilled marriage counsellor will provide a safe, impartial environment for couples to find purpose within the relationship. They can help to cultivate a sense of understanding and reconciliation, to enable couples to move forward together with a stronger bond.

Who Can I Talk To About My Relationship Problems For Free?

Several different relationship services exist for families, individuals and communities across Australia. Some of the specialist services are private or community based, other family relationship centres are funded by the Australian Government, such as Relationships Australia. Depending on the type of service, the fees can vary.  Specialised marriage support psychologists and counsellors are accredited, highly qualified and experienced professionals whos services may be subsidised through Medicare or private health insurance. For some there is no cost, such as a community based program. Sometimes fees will apply, considerations will be made based on income and applicable concessions, and in some cases the fees can be waived.