Couples Therapy
Relationships can be hard work sometimes.
Every relationship has moments of disconnection, misunderstanding, or stress. When communication breaks down or disconnection starts to grow, it can be hard to find your way back on your own. Couples therapy offers a supportive space to better understand each other, improve communication, and strengthen your relationship goals.
Our couples therapist works with couples to improve communication, rebuild trust, and deepen emotional connection. Using practical, evidence-informed approaches, we help you recognise patterns, express your needs more clearly, and respond to each other with care and empathy.
Couples therapy can be helpful for partners who want to improve communication, resolve conflict, rebuild trust, or strengthen their connection.
Even if you are uncertain what the future holds, couples therapy works when both people are willing to reflect, listen, and work on the relationship together.
How Do I Know If We Need Couples Therapy?
Many couples wait years before reaching out for support, often because they assume things will settle on their own, or because they aren't sure their concerns are "serious enough" to warrant therapy.
In reality, couples therapy isn't reserved for relationships in crisis. In fact, it is most effective when it's used early, as a way of strengthening a relationship rather than rescuing one.
Some of the most common signs that couples therapy might help include:
Recurring arguments that never seem to resolve
If you find yourselves having the same fight on repeat (e.g., money, chores, parenting, in-laws etc), it's often a sign that the real issue underneath hasn't been addressed.
Therapy helps identify what's actually driving the conflict.
A lack of intimacy or physical closeness
Whether this shows up as reduced affection, touch, or sexual connection, changes in intimacy are rarely just about intimacy itself. They usually reflect something happening emotionally between partners, and are a common and legitimate reason to seek couples therapy.
Disagreements about parenting
Differences in parenting style, discipline, or values are one of the most frequent stressors for couples with children. Therapy can help you get on the same page without one parent feeling undermined or unheard. Nika has a blog post about couples therapy for new parents - click here.
Growing emotional distance
Sometimes there's no single triggering event but a gradual sense of drifting apart.
Partners may describe feeling unseen, unappreciated, or like they're no longer each other's priority. Couples therapy will help with building connection again.
Feeling like roommates rather than partners
A relationship can be functional in that you are getting bills paid, schedules coordinated, kids off to their various activities, while still feeling emotionally flat.
If your day-to-day life has become logistical rather than connected, this is one of the most common (and most treatable) reasons couples seek support.
Communication breakdown
This might look like shutting down during conflict, walking away mid-conversation, raised voices, or avoiding difficult topics because you don't know how to bring them up without it turning into an argument.
Communication is a skill, and it's one of the most common things couples work on in therapy.
Rebuilding after an affair or breach of trust
Infidelity can come in many different forms (physical, emotional, financial, or online) and is one of the most common reasons couples seek therapy.
Recovery is possible for many couples, though it takes time, honesty, and structured support to rebuild trust.
Major life transitions
Understandably big changes can put pressure on even strong relationships. Situations such as moving in together, getting married, having a baby, blending families, changing careers, relocating, retiring, or facing illness can significantly strain any relationship.
Therapy during these periods can help you adapt as a team rather than growing apart under stress.
If any of these sound familiar, it doesn't mean your relationship is failing but that you are mindful of your current situation.
Reaching out at this stage is often what prevents smaller issues from becoming much larger ones.
Improve communication and reduce conflict
Learn to express your thoughts and feelings more clearly, listen to each other with understanding, and manage disagreements in healthier ways.
Rebuild trust after challenges
Work through issues such as dishonesty, infidelity, or emotional distance, and begin to rebuild trust and security in the relationship.
Navigate major life transitions
Adjust to changes like moving in together, becoming parents, relocating, or entering retirement, with support to stay connected through change.
Manage external stressors
Develop strategies to handle pressures related to work, finances, health, or family, so these stressors don’t take a toll on your relationship.
Strengthen emotional and physical intimacy
Reconnect, rediscover closeness, and nurture affection when the relationship has started to feel distant, flat, or “stuck.”
Clarify the future of your relationship
Find space to explore what’s next — whether that means recommitting to each other, redefining your connection, or separating with care and respect.
Understand and respect differences
Learn to manage differences in values, culture, communication styles, or lifestyle in ways that strengthen, rather than divide, your partnership.
Access support in an inclusive space
We welcome all couples — including same-sex, polyamorous, and culturally diverse relationships — in a safe, respectful, and affirming environment.
Couples therapy can help to:
Couples Therapy Approaches
Our couples therapist uses established, research‑supported models of couples therapy, tailored to what your relationship actually needs. Depending on your goals, your therapist may draw on one or more approaches.
In practice, Nika draws flexibly on these modalities based on your relationship's specific patterns, history, and goals, rather than applying a single model rigidly.
Developed from decades of observational research on thousands of couples, the Gottman Method focuses on identifying the specific patterns that erode relationships (e.g, criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and withdrawal) and replacing them with skills for repair, friendship, and shared meaning. It's particularly useful for couples who want practical, structured tools for managing conflict and rebuilding trust, including after infidelity.
Meet Your Couples Therapist
Nika Cseh
Nika supports couples navigating a range of relationship challenges, including communication difficulties, trust concerns, intimacy issues, life transitions, and blended family dynamics. She brings a compassionate, non-judgemental approach, recognising that every relationship is unique.
Working with couples at all stages of their relationship, Nika helps partners strengthen their connection, deepen understanding, and develop healthier ways of relating to one another.
Qualifications & Training
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Advanced Study Major in Couples and Relationship Counselling, Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors
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Professional workshop with Drs John and Julie Gottman — 10 Core Principles for Couples and Couples Therapy Interventions: Transforming Outcomes with the Gottman Method
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EFT and Polyvagal Theory in Practice
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Getting Off to a Powerful Start in Couples Therapy
Professional Membership
Nika is a registered practising counsellor and a member of the Australian Counselling Association (Member No. 25856).
When Couples Therapy Is Not Suitable
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There is ongoing or recent domestic violence
Physical, emotional, sexual, or coercive control in the relationship.
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Anyone is feeling unsafe or afraid
Situations where one partner is fearful of the other.
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There are active mental health or substance concerns
When individual support is needed first to address severe mental health or substance use issues.
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One partner has decided to end the relationship
Therapy is not effective if only one partner is engaged or willing.
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You are in crisis or need urgent support
Couples Therapy is not suitable if you are in crisis or your situation is more urgent. If you would like urgent support, please call Lifeline 13 11 14, CareinMind 1300 096 269 or call 000.
If any of these concerns are present, individual counselling may be a more appropriate starting point. Our team can help you find the right support and ensure that everyone’s wellbeing and safety are prioritised.
Couples therapy is not suitable when:
What to expect
Your First Session
In your initial session, Nika will spend some time speaking with each partner individually (around 15 minutes each) to hear from you in your own words and gain a clearer understanding of your perspectives. You’ll also be asked about your current situation, relationship history, and concerns. This helps create the most effective plan tailored to your needs.
After the First Session
From the start, you’ll collaborate with Nika to develop goals and create a plan that fits your relationship. These goals guide the counselling process and give you both a sense of direction.
In subsequent sessions, you’ll begin working on the areas you’ve identified together — whether that’s communication, trust, intimacy, or future planning. Each session builds on the last, offering practical strategies, guided conversations, and time to reflect and strengthen your connection.
Sessions are typically 60 minutes, and the frequency depends on your needs. Both in-person and online sessions are available (note: the initial session is in-person).
Common Questions
What if my partner doesn’t want to come?
For couples counselling to be balanced, both partners need to attend. If one partner is hesitant, we can explore ways to encourage them.
How do we know if counselling will work for us?
Counselling can’t guarantee specific outcomes, but it provides a safe space to explore issues, learn skills, and work on solutions together. The more both partners engage, the more effective it tends to be.
How many sessions will we need?
It depends on your goals and what you’d like to work on.
Some couples notice changes in a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing support.
What if we disagree during sessions?
Disagreement is normal.
The role of the couples therapist is to help guide the conversation safely and respectfully so both partners feel heard.
What is the cost?
The cost of a 60-minute couples counselling session is $200, payable on the day.
Medicare rebates are not available.
Do we have to discuss everything?
You only need to share what you feel comfortable with.
Many couples start with one issue and gradually explore others as trust builds.
Couples Therapy
Form
Please complete the form to apply for Couples Therapy
Some questions in this form ask about conflict, control, and safety in your relationship.
While most responses remain confidential, if any answers indicate that a child might be at risk, we are legally required to notify child protection.
Please know that we handle all information with care, sensitivity, and respect, and our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved