Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting place to explore relationship counselling?
The first step is to book an individual appointment. This appointment is up to 90 minutes and will cover background, relevant family issues, risk and resilience factors, and next steps. If the other party (or perhaps multiple parties in sibling disputes) are aware of your interest in relationship counselling, they too can book an individual appointment. If you are still considering whether to invite the other party to explore relationship counselling, you can book an individual appointment and then decide whether you want to pursue joint counselling or follow through with individual counselling.
Why is an individual appointment required as a starting place?
There is an increasing trend for relationship counselling to start with an individual appointment. This enables the counsellor to ensure, before joint sessions commence, that both parties feel that they have scope to speak freely and that the sessions will be respectful, as issues of differences are worked through. This also means that issues are less hurried and important foundations are established for subsequent sessions.
Does it matter who has the individual appointment first?
No, it doesn’t matter who has the individual appointment first. At all individual appointments the same issues will be explored, and relevant information supplied, including referrals as needed.
Can I start with ongoing individual counselling and move to relationship counselling?
No, as the counsellor, due to conflict of interest, will need to stay in one role. After the individual counselling appointment the party can decide, however if the other party books an individual appointment, then the focus on the counsellor will be to work through relationship issues and provide information and referral to each individual as appropriate.
What approach will be taken in the relationship counselling?
Russell will use a narrative counselling approach primarily. The Dulwich Centre (the core training agency for narrative therapy), defines narrative therapy as:
“Narrative therapy seeks to be a respectful, non-blaming approach to counselling and community work which centres people as the experts in their own lives. It views problems as separate from people and assumes people have many skills, competencies, beliefs, values, commitments and abilities that will assist them to reduce the influence of problems in their lives.” What is Narrative Therapy? - The Dulwich Centre
Russell will use other approaches as required, however the primary focus will be on helping parties work through what possibilities there may be for the relationship.
What will happen practically in relationship counselling?
The first thing to establish will be, what sort of relationship does parties want to have? This might seem obvious, however is an important step that needs to be explored. In sibling relationships for example, do the siblings want to be polite at family functions or do they want a meaningful connection? In couples counselling, does the couple want a deep intimate relationship, or is just a functional relationship adequate?
Once the type of relationship and the mutual goals are established, then narrative therapy has many creative and some more traditional ways of exploring possibilities. Narrative therapy also has an emphasis on privilege and power in relationships, and this can be explored in working through both of these issues. Individual values and shared values become a key feature of these discussions as well, to the degree to which participants are willing to explore these.
How much does the therapy cost?
The cost of the therapy is $150 for the individual appointments (90 minutes) and $100 for the joint sessions (60 minutes). Payment is made at the same time as the booking. Participants in the joint sessions will need to make arrangements as to the payments.
What is the difference between relationship counselling and individual counselling?
In relationship counselling the focus of the counselling is on the relationship, with information and referral information provided to individuals that would support their own well-being and also achieve the relationship goals. In individual counselling the focus is on the well-being of the individual, as well as to how they may positively contribute to the relationship goals.