Accepting new couples
Couples counselling.Room for both of you.
In Bannockburn, near Geelong. Online across Australia.
Maybe the same argument keeps coming back. Maybe you’ve stopped talking about what matters. Or you’re sharing a home but feeling miles apart.
We can slow things down, understand what’s happening between you and work out what needs to change.
$200 for an 80 minute couples session
The free chat is an introduction, not a counselling session.
When something needs to change
It isn’t always about the argument.
Sometimes it’s about not feeling heard, not feeling chosen, or not knowing how to get close again.
The same argument.
A different day.
You try to explain. They defend or pull away. Before long, you’re back in the same place.
Together, but
feeling alone.
You manage the house, the work and the family. The connection between you gets what’s left.
Something happened.
It still hurts.
Trust has been shaken. You’re trying to work out what repair might look like, or what comes next.
You don’t need to agree on everything before you come. We can begin with what each of you is experiencing.
The person you’ll be talking to
I’m Fabian.
I’m a registered counsellor based in Bannockburn. My approach is gentle, reflective and practical.
I’m not here to decide which of you wins. I want to understand what happens between you, what each of you is trying to say, and why it can be so hard to hear it.
We’ll make room for both perspectives, while looking honestly at the patterns that are hurting the relationship.
A little more about meUnderstanding the pattern.
Not finding someone to blame.
I draw on Emotionally Focused Therapy and Gottman approaches. In practice, that means understanding what sits beneath the conflict and finding different ways to respond.
We work towards the changes that matter to you, and keep checking how things are going.
Australian Counselling Association member
What happens next
Here’s how we start.
Choose how to start.
Book a couples session, or start with a free 15 minute phone chat. The chat gives you a chance to ask questions and see whether we’re a good fit.
Understand both sides.
We begin with joint sessions and include individual time with each partner as part of the assessment. I’ll explain the process and fees before we continue.
Work on what matters.
We agree on what you want to change, practise different ways of responding and review your progress together. There is no fixed number of sessions.
Fees & booking
Ready to book, or want to talk first?
Both options are here. You don’t have to book an introductory chat before booking a session.
Ready to begin
A couples session
Time together to talk about what has brought you here and what you’d like to be different. In person in Bannockburn or online.
View available appointmentsIn Halaxy, choose an 80 minute Couples Counselling appointment.
Get a feel for it first
A chat with Fabian
Ask questions, tell me a little about what’s happening and see whether I feel like the right counsellor for you. No pressure to book a session.
Book the free chatAn introductory conversation, not a full counselling session.
Need a hand booking? Call 0405 343 154 or email the Bird House team.
A few things you might be wondering
Before you book.
You’re welcome to ask about any of this in the free chat.
What if my partner isn’t sure?
You can start with the free chat on your own. We can talk about what’s happening and what an appropriate next step might be. You don’t need to persuade your partner to attend just to ask a question.
Do we both attend the first session?
Yes, a couples appointment is a joint session. We begin by hearing what has brought each of you here and what you hope might change. Individual sessions with each partner are included later in the assessment process and are charged separately.
Can we have sessions online?
Yes. Couples sessions are available online as well as in person in Bannockburn. Choose the online option when booking, and arrange a private space where you can talk without interruptions.
Are Medicare rebates available?
Bird House is a private fee counselling service. Medicare rebates are not available for these appointments. An 80 minute couples session is $200, and the 15 minute introductory phone chat is free.
How many sessions will we need?
There isn’t a set number. We’ll talk about your goals, what support might be useful and how often to meet. We review this together rather than asking you to commit to a fixed package.
What if a joint session doesn’t feel safe?
When it is safe for you, contact me privately before booking together if there is fear, control or violence in the relationship. We can discuss whether joint counselling is appropriate and what other support may be needed. You do not need to raise this with your partner first.
You don’t need the right words to start.
We can begin with where you are.