Couples counselling
Couples counselling on the Mornington Peninsula.
A calm, structured space for two people to talk, understand each other better, and work out where to from here.
Who this may support
Is this for me?
Couples counselling may help if you:
- Keep having the same arguments, or have stopped talking about important things
- Are rebuilding trust after a breach
- Feel more like housemates than partners
- Are navigating a big change, such as a new baby, relocation, retirement, illness, or leaving the services
- See how stress, trauma or PTSD is affecting your relationship
Karen works with couples of all backgrounds and relationship types.
What therapy can help you explore
Things we might work on
- Communication and conflict patterns
- Emotional distance and reconnection
- Trust, betrayal and repair
- The effect of trauma, shift work or deployment on a relationship
- Parenting stress and differing expectations
- Deciding on the future of the relationship
Karen’s approach
How Karen works
Karen’s role is not to take sides or decide who is right. She helps each person feel heard, slows down the patterns that keep repeating, and supports you both to try something different.
Where it helps, she draws on Schema Therapy to understand how each partner’s history shapes their reactions. This is often the key to why small things can become big fights.
What sessions involve
What sessions might look like
Most couples start with a joint session, sometimes followed by an individual session each so Karen can understand both perspectives.
Couples sessions are 50 or 90 minutes, in person or via telehealth.
Why Tepper Psychology
Experience, with a human touch
Experience with trauma and high-pressure careers means Karen understands how those forces play out at home, and how to talk about them without blame.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Can’t see your question? Get in touch. There’s no such thing as a silly one.
What if my partner isn’t sure about coming?
That’s common. Some people start with individual sessions, and a partner joins later if and when they’re ready.
Is couples counselling covered by Medicare?
Medicare rebates under a Mental Health Treatment Plan are generally for individual sessions, so couples sessions are usually paid privately. Couples sessions are $220 for 50 minutes or $350 for 90 minutes. See Fees & Referrals.
Related support
Other ways Karen can help
Many people come with more than one concern. These pages explain the other areas of support.
Trauma & PTSD
For people affected by a traumatic event, or by long-term or complex trauma, who want to understand what’s happening and find steadier ground.
Veterans
For current and former ADF members navigating the effects of service, transition or life after Defence.
Individual therapy
For anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship patterns and life changes, including Schema Therapy for long-standing patterns.
Telehealth
Secure video sessions from home or work, with the same care and structure as in person.
Take the next step
It’s okay to reach out before things reach a crisis point.
If you’re considering psychological support, you’re welcome to get in touch to talk about the next step. There’s no pressure and no obligation.