10 Points to Consider Before Booking Couples Therapy Gold Coast

10 Points to Consider Before Booking:

★★★★★ Testimonial: Package 3: Five Week Marriage Counselling 2023: 'Truthfully, I was ready to give up. Things were so bad. Since the five week program, we have nothing to fight about. The other day my husband used the code word 'Pineapple' to share something about his childhood: I stopped and listened without judgement - and I was fully present. Normally, I would half listen, avoid feelings and get defensive when he got frustrated. That would result in a whole day of ill feelings and sulking on both sides. The conflict would start with such small things. This has really changed how we see each other's triggers and motivations. We have never been so close. We don't take things so personally. We are stronger and we make time for each other.' - Suzie (Gold Coast)

Here is Ghita's 10 points list to consider before booking in for couples therapy:

Is Couples Counselling is the best course of action? Couples Counselling requires calmness, commitment and cooperation. Couples Counselling is not appropriate for abusive relationships. Make sure you are both 100% invested in saving your relationship (See Gottman Commitment Quiz), because if one partner is likely to walk away before your session, the standard cancellation policy for therapists may mean that you lose your deposit. If you are unsure of your partner's level of commitment, then book in for individual counselling instead.
What is your situation? Do you need an intensive workshop, weekly sessions or a retreat? Remember that counsellors are not magicians. A one hour intro session is only long enough to get background history from you both and may not have time for any exercises. For the first session, two hours is recommended. If you have already separated, it is likely that you will need a workshop or retreat to work through a few issues in order to reconcile.
Urgency and Rapid Results: How fast do you want to make progress? Couples that are very busy and don't want to take weeks to see results will often book in for a workshop, such as One Day Retreat (Gottman) |One Day Intensive Couples Retreat (Couples in Crisis) | Two Day Couples Intensive Workshop (Couples in Crisis)
What if one of you isn’t sure about therapy to begin with? Hopefully you’re both invested in therapy, but chances are, one of you is going to be more into it than the other. (THIS IS NORMAL!) When one person wants to go more than the other, it’s very important that they let their partner know how much they appreciate their willingness to go. In fact, make it clear that it’s an opportunity for your partner to say what’s on their mind and express how they’re feeling - it’s not just a one-way street. As for drawing out the less-enthusiastic party - remember, a good counsellor is trained to do that. At a certain point, it’s on the therapist. Your goal is to get them in the door, and then we take over. If they are still worried ask them what their concerns are? Do they want to interview a few therapists personally? Do you have a question regarding our services? Try our 10 min FREE Introductory Consultation. If you’ve got any questions for Ghita before committing to a session or a package, please feel free to request a Free 10 Minute Call-Back via text or phone today on 0439 888 070. And it is okay for you both to have a phone chat with Ghita before booking, so you know what to expect.
What have you tried before? What has worked and what hasn't? What was therapy for? Make a list of things you have tried personally for conflict resolution and negotiating etc. Also, make a list of your relationship timeline and when things started to go wrong. This is vital information for your therapist.
Schedule one initial phone call with the therapist. Learn about each therapist’s approach to couples counselling and decide which appeals to both of you. Read therapist biographies, testimonials and watch videos if they have any: A therapist’s professional statement and video can give you a helpful sense of the therapist’s demeanor, and how they speak. A therapist must be friendly, firm, unbiased and interested in getting results. Tip: The best Couples Counsellors are also Family Dispute Mediators. Psychologists are not necessarily trained in couples therapy. Ghita's Videos | Ghita's Bio | Ghita's LinkedIn | Testimonials and Reviews
Do you need a babysitter? Is it easier to schedule a Video Session or a Mobile Session? Consider the best times for your family and the time frame of getting a sitter and getting to and from the appointment. Please understand that professional therapists DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN IN CLINIC SESSIONS for the reasons of disruption to the therapeutic process. Please organise a baby-sitter well in advance. However, we can switch to a video (Teletherapy) session if you come unstuck.
What are your location and scheduling requirements? (Ghita Andersen works in Currumbin). Please note that Ghita offers VIDEO sessions via Skype, Messenger and Whatsapp. Clear your schedule for some time before and after your first appointment if you can. You may wish to keep talking about topics aired in session with your partner afterwards. Many clients do this to get the most out of sessions.
Prepare to talk about your feelings: Expect to get uncomfortable in session discussing personal matters and things you avoid talking about. In fact, most people get triggered at some point. (This is normal.) Many couples who go to counselling together are, understandably, anxious about their first appointment. After all, you may be opening up about certain challenges and intimate issues that you and your partner have only ever spoken about to each other. In some cases, you might be sharing things you’ve never even told your partner. It’s completely normal – common, actually – to feel anxious about embarking on this new experience. Don’t worry if one (or both) of you is still hesitant on the day of your apppointment. Uncertainty makes many people anxious and sometimes one person may expect to feel ambushed. Don't worry. We get this all the time. We will do our best to make you feel calm and hopeful. Ghita Therapy is a home based business in Currumbin and there are teas and coffees available to make you feel comfortable and there are wonderful relaxing views of Currumbin Creek.
Check the fees before booking. Ghita Therapy fees are $220 per hour for couples. Expect to pay between $180 and $450 in Queensland for other therapists. (Alas, Medicare does not subsidise Relationship Counselling. Note: This is a specialist field and most psychologists are not trained in couples counselling.)

Hint: Check out our Packages and monthly Promo Codes to save money!
Tip: Book in for face to face counselling for at least your first session because counsellors can't read the body language between you on a small screen and it is harder to create rapport. Plus, it is easier to be distracted by the home environment and children may overhear your story. Your session value will be half what it is in person.

Ghita Andersen is considered one of the Top 10 Couples Counsellors on the Gold Coast and she is a registered Family Dispute Resolution Mediator. Ghita has helped thousands of couples over the last decade and helps Australian couples working interstate and overseas via online sessions. Therefore, your relationship is in good hands.

Check availability anytime on our booking system, or call Ghita on 0439 888 070 to be assured that you are selecting the right program or package.

Recommended First Session: Couples Intensive: 2 Hours
Get excited about your all new relationship!

Health Funds:
Whether your health fund rebates counselling is up to them. Your Private Health provider is the best place to seek this information, as it depends both on your exact policy type and the Health Fund themselves.

Rebates may be available for members of Medibank, Bupa, Police Health, St Luke’s, CUA Health, Phoenix Health Fund and Emergency Services. However, as things change so often please check with your provider before booking. We no longer have any particular registrations with health Funds.

Some private funds rebate Couples Counselling (Item #300) List. Therefore it is worth checking with your provider. You can ask us for a specific type of invoice.

Recommended Reading:
https://www.ghitaandersen.com/couples-preparation.html
https://www.ghitaandersen.com/toxic-relationships.html
https://www.ghitaandersen.com/couples-quiz.html
https://www.ghitaandersen.com/ebooks-for-couples.html