Every Relationship has its Challenges
The nature of intimate relationships can change over time. Sometimes couples can feel more like housemates than partners or have difficulty finding compromises on how to parent, or share the responsibilities of day-to-day life.
Whatever the challenge may be, coming together in a safe, secure and confidential space to talk through challenges can be the first step to finding a new way forward together, or in some cases apart.
At Relationship Matters’ our qualified couples counsellors work with couples to help them begin difficult conversations in a safe and respectful place, manage significant life changes, nurture and improve relationships.
What Happens in Counselling?
If you have never had Couples or Individual Counselling before, you may feel a little nervous or anxious about what happens, that feeling is very common.
When you call Relationship Matters to make an enquiry or booking for Couples or Individual Counselling you will speak to one of our Client Service Officers. They will explain our fees and help you to make a booking at your nearest branch.
When you arrive for your first appointment, you’ll be asked to fill out some personal details. This helps us to understand your situation (and is required by our funding body).
At your first session, which usually runs for an hour, the counsellor will:
- Talk to you about the importance of confidentiality (limitations, privacy)
- Establish a trusting working relationship with you (and your partner)
- Ask a range a questions to get a feeling for what might be troubling you
- Ask a range questions to make an assessment of what may be the underlying issues
- Most importantly talk to you about what you (and your partners) goals are in coming to counselling.
In the early stages of your counselling sessions, the Counsellor will establish a plan with you about any future sessions and how frequent they should be.
At the end of each session, the Counsellor will guide you to reception where you can pay your fee and organise future sessions.
Counselling does not give advice but rather helps you to find new ways to think about things, to find new frameworks by which to consider the challenges you face. It is a chance for you to talk through issues or experiences and for the counsellor to listen in helpful and non-judgmental way.
How much does Counselling cost?
Relationship Matters is a not-for-profit community organisation and is partially funded by the Federal Government. Our fees are based on how much you or your family earns per year (gross household income).
Your counselling fee will be based on your annual household income and the type of counselling you have accessed (Couple, Individual, Child Counselling).
The cost of counselling will be discussed with you when you make your first appointment. If at any time your circumstances change, you can discuss your fees with your counsellor or our Client Services team.
Want More Information or to Make an appointment?
If you would like more information call us on 1300 543 396 or email contact@relationshipmatters.com.au to discuss your situation and how we can help you. You can also request a call back by using the ‘Request an Appointment’ form at the top of this page.
Accessing Services Remotely
Relationship Learning Programs and Counselling will be offered through videolink and phone as an optional delivery method in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We will provide one on one and group programs using an online tool – Zoom. We can deliver programs and individual counselling virtually via this platform. Our group programs will have a maximum of 6 participants. We will provide instructions on how to access our services online prior to the sessions. You can use your mobile phone, laptop or a desktop computer.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 1300 543 396.