Help for relationships
Couples Therapy
A structured three-month pathway for couples who want to create meaningful change
Relationships can become stuck. The same arguments happen again and again. Small disagreements escalate. One person feels unheard, while the other feels criticised or misunderstood. Emotional and physical connection can gradually disappear, and attempts to fix things can sometimes seem to make matters worse.
Couples therapy can help you understand what is happening beneath these patterns and develop new ways of relating to one another.
The Couples Therapy Intensive is a structured three-month pathway for couples who want to make a serious investment in improving their relationship. Rather than approaching therapy as a series of isolated appointments, the program provides regular, extended sessions that allow us to understand your relationship in depth, identify the patterns keeping you stuck, and actively work towards change.
The three-month structure provides a roadmap for therapy. It does not lock you into three months of treatment, and there are opportunities to review or finish therapy throughout the process.
Is this right for you?
The Couples Therapy Intensive may be suitable if you:
- Keep having the same arguments without resolving them
- Feel emotionally disconnected or more like housemates than partners
- Struggle to communicate without becoming defensive, angry or withdrawn
- Feel unheard, misunderstood or unappreciated
- Have experienced a significant rupture in connection
- Are struggling with differences in needs, expectations or priorities
- Want to improve intimacy and emotional connection
- Are considering separation but want to properly explore whether the relationship can be repaired
- Have a generally strong relationship but want to address problems before they become entrenched
You do not need to wait until your relationship is at breaking point to seek couples therapy.
This program is not for you if:
This couples program is not for you if:
- You or your partner have active addictions or signficant mental health problems
- An issue of infidelity has recently been disclosed (often this requires long-term work)
- One of the people in the relationshi pare not interested in doing the work
- You need to bring babies or young children to the session. A dedicated space just for the two people in the relationship is essential
- There are domestic violence issues in the relationship
- You are looking for help respectfully seperating rather than repairing and strengthening the relationship
People with recently discovered infidelity problems, mental health issues that stop them from listening respectfully to their partner, or cannot attend sessions (in person or online) without distractions tend to not do well in this program.
How it works?
The Couples Therapy Intensive provides a three-month structure because meaningful relationship change usually takes time, consistency and practice.
However, you are not locked into completing the entire three-month pathway. There are natural review and exit points throughout the process.
You may decide not to continue after the initial assessment. You may complete the first five-week intensive and decide that you have achieved what you needed from therapy. Months two and three are undertaken as subsequent blocks where continued therapy is appropriate and both partners wish to proceed.
We will regularly review your progress together and discuss whether continuing therapy remains useful.
The three-month structure provides a roadmap for therapy, rather than an obligation to complete it
Program Fees
The initial five-week Couples Therapy Intensive (Stage 1 & 2) is $1,440 and includes:
- two 60-minute individual assessment consultations
- four 120-minute couples assessment and therapy sessions
Couples who decide to continue onto Stage 3 may undertake further blocks of four 120-minute sessions for $1,280. The sessions can be taken weekly or fortnightly.
There is no obligation to continue beyond the initial intensive, and you may conclude therapy at any stage.
A complimentary phone consultation is required before commencing to determine whether the program is appropriate for your relationship.
Casual appointments can be provided to couples after completing Stage 1 & 2 however this is subject to Geoff’s availability. Casual appointments are not available to couples that have not completed Stages 1 & 2 of the process.
Outcomes
What changes can you expect?
Every couple is different, and outcomes cannot be guaranteed. However, some couples begin noticing positive changes within the first few weeks as they learn new ways of communicating and responding to each other.
Changes may include:
- Improved communication and problem-solving
- Greater emotional safety and connection
- Less frequent or intense conflict
- Faster repair after disagreements
- Improved emotional and physical intimacy
- Greater understanding of each other’s needs and reactions
- Increased relationship satisfaction
Relationship improvements may also support individual wellbeing, as ongoing relationship conflict can be a significant source of stress.
Why work with Geoff Lyons?
Dr Geoff Lyons has nearly twenty years of experience in couples therapy. He holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist.
His approach draws on several established models of couples and psychological therapy, including Imago Relationship Therapy, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and psychodynamic theory. Rather than applying a single approach to every couple, Geoff tailors therapy to the particular needs and circumstances of each relationship.
Alongside his clinical work, Geoff has an extensive academic career training psychologists and counsellors at postgraduate level across several Australian universities. He continues to work full-time in academia and currently holds a Program Coordinator role within a university counselling program in Sydney. This combination of clinical practice and academic work means his approach is informed by both practical experience and contemporary psychological research.
Geoff takes an active, practical and structured approach to couples therapy, helping partners better understand their relationship patterns and develop healthier ways of communicating, connecting and responding to each other.
Geoff takes an active, practical and structured approach to couples therapy, helping partners better understand their relationship patterns and develop healthier ways of communicating, connecting and responding to each other. His style is relaxed, friendly and professional, with an emphasis on helping both partners feel comfortable and at ease. Couples therapy can involve difficult and emotionally challenging conversations, but Geoff also believes there is room for warmth, humour and even some fun along the way
