Online Couples Therapy

Effective couples counselling with an experienced therapist, where ever you are in Australia.

Support and guidance to build a strong connection

As humans, we’re hard-wired to seek out close bonds and loving relationships are essential to our health and wellbeing. But Hollywood romantic comedies have a lot to answer for. The reality of love and relationships is far messier.

The team at MyLife Psychologists can help. We believe all couples deserve support and guidance to build a strong and loving connection with each other. Our relationship therapists are highly trained and experienced in couples counselling, and with online therapy you can access this support no matter where you live in Australia and how busy your schedules are.

We understand making the decision to go to couples therapy can feel like a big step. It means admitting your partnership isn’t perfect, which can be confronting. Couples in distress are often experiencing high levels of anger, resentment, fear, hurt and mistrust. For those experiencing ambivalence about their relationship, couples counselling can also help partners clarify uncertainty and manage separation in a way that fosters positive relationships.

Our therapists establish a warm, judgement-free space for you to show up as you – whatever that looks like. It’s important to us that you both feel comfortable, respected and understood at all times. You will feel safe and supported to work through sensitive relationship issues using a proven approach.

You can find out more about our approach to therapy and what to expect from your counselling.

Here are some of the things we can support couples with:

  • Improving communication, connection and intimacy
  • Reducing conflict and misunderstandings
  • Expressing your needs clearly
  • Building safety and security to navigate difficult times
  • Recovering from relationship injuries such as affairs
  • Improving intimacy and your sexual relationship
  • Managing sexual concerns (e.g. mismatched libido/desire, sexual pain, erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation)
  • Clarifying and establishing boundaries with each other, negotiating living arrangements and maintaining a friendship after separation
  • Negotiating relationship roles of parenting, housework etc.
couples counselling Sydney

FAQs

It’s a common misconception that you only go to couples therapy when your relationship is in serious trouble. This can mean couples wait far too long to get effective support with their relationship issues. After years of conflict, goodwill and kindness have often broken down, making conflict resolution and reconnection more challenging.

If you’re not sure, here are some common indicators that couples therapy may be of benefit to you and your partner.

  • You’re stuck in negative communication patterns
  • Your interactions are mostly transactional with little emotional connection
  • You’re afraid to bring things up with your partner
  • Trust has been broken in your relationship
  • You’re so disconnected it starts to feel like you’re living separate lives
  • You’re experiencing ongoing sexual problems in your relationship
  • Your arguments are frequently distressing for either or both of you
  • You’ve gone through something significant or devastating

Yes! The research shows that online video sessions can be just as effective as sessions conducted in person. At MyLife Psychologists we provide the same therapy and approach whether it is online via video or face to face. Rest assured that you can access high level support with an experienced couples therapist no matter where you live in Australia or how busy your schedules are.

We use a secure video telehealth platform that’s built into our practice management system called Power Diary.  It’s received international certification to ensure it meets the highest security standards for health care data and it’s specifically designed to be used in health and clinical settings.

To join the session you simply click on the secure link provided to you before your appointment, and there is no need to download anything. The link will automatically open in your preferred web browser on the device you’re using. If you have any difficulties connecting please contact our Admin team: (02) 7229 7338 or info@mylifepsychologists.com.au.

To get the most out of your online couples therapy you might consider these tips:

  • Create a therapeutic space. Choose a comfortable, quiet and private space where you’re not likely to be disturbed, and where you can easily see the screen and be seen by your therapist.
  • Remove distractions. Turn off your phone and shut down all other web browsers and apps during your online therapy sessions. Not only will this prevent distractions caused by notifications, it will also prevent any previously opened apps from overriding your device’s camera and audio functions.
  • Choose the right device. Use a device with a built in camera and microphone. While most modern devices will work fine, you’ll get more out of your session with a larger screen (e.g. desktop, laptop or tablet) rather than a mobile phone. Try to avoid needing to hold your device during the session by using a stable device or stand.
  • Update to the latest version of your web browser. Browsers are updated regularly and out-of-date browsers don’t have the required security to support secure telehealth functionality and won’t work. To ensure you’re using the latest version of your web browser use this website: https://www.whatismybrowser.com/
  • Connect your microphone and camera to your device, and is accessible by your browser. You can quickly test this here: https://www.loom.com/webcam-mic-test
  • Check your internet speed. The minimum requirements for a ‘good experience’ with video and audio are: download: 1.5 Mbps; upload: 1.5 Mbps. While most internet companies provide speeds faster than this, you can still use our platform with a slower internet speed, however the video might not be as clear or you may need to turn off the video component to prioritise consistently clear audio quality. To check your internet speed, please visit: https://fast.com/

The work of Drs John and Julie Gottman, renowned couples therapists and researchers, has helped us better understand the strengths of same-sex relationships. Their research has demonstrated that:

  • Strengths like humour and the ability to calm down during an argument are especially important in the success of same-sex couples.
    Compared to straight couples, gay and lesbian couples use more affection and humour when they bring up a disagreement, with a more positive response to this.
  • Same-sex couples, in comparison to straight couples, are more likely to remain positive after a disagreement, which is important for repair.
  • Same-sex couples use less controlling and hostile emotional tactics, which may reflect a greater degree of fairness and equality in these relationships.
  • In arguments, lesbian couples tend to be more emotionally expressive, both positively and negatively, than gay men.
  • When it comes to repairing after a disagreement, gay men find this more difficult than lesbian or straight couples if the initiator of the disagreement becomes too negative.

Ready to get support?

We offer couples therapy appointments on weekdays during business hours and after hours online via video