Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Nothing really, except that the evolving terms reflect the evolving recognition of the nature of relationships. We now recognise that some intimate relationships involve more than two people, so relationship therapy is a term that includes these relationships, not just married people, and not just couples.

    And, sometimes, non-romantic relationships need help too.

  • Absolutely!! We love all love!

  • If you are in a polyamorous relationship, or another form of consensually non-monogamous relationship, and feel your relationship can use some help then please come and have a chat.

    If you are in the opening stages, exploring, or moving to a new model, you may need some help having the conversations you need to have around keeping everyone feeling safe and connected, and we can facilitate that.

  • Anything relationship related. It may be that your connection is a bit off, and your communication is suffering, or you may have some big decisions to make that are hard to talk about, or it may be something bigger.

    Frequently dealt with issues include:

    • change of life stage pressures – e.g small kids, teens, empty nest, or retirement,

    • renegotiating relationship dynamics,

    • affairs/betrayals,

    • sexual issues,

    • contemplating separation, working through separation, or post-relationship processing.

  • Relationship Therapy is different to Individual Therapy. It takes additional, specialist training and knowledge, and supervision.

    Belinda has a Masters in Couples Counselling, as well as additional training in various relationship therapy techniques, including the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and works with a systems and attachment focus.

  • Yes. While most clients are coming with their partner/s, individual work with a relationship focus is also an option.

  • After you make an appointment, either via phone or email, you will be sent intake forms to fill in and sign. You will also be sent some welcome information with lots of information about getting to the session, either in person or via telehealth.

    Our first session will be 1-hour and 45-minutes long, and will involve lots of questions to get a good understanding of where your relationship is now, so that the work going forward is more effective. Sessions generally involve each partner, but there will likely be some individual sessions as well.

    You will be treated kindly, non-judgmentally, and sides won’t be taken. You won’t be left to argue. You will be taken through a process, to work towards your goals for our work.

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  • For Better is located in Canterbury, in the inner eastern suburbs of Melbourne, neighbouring Camberwell and Surrey Hills. If you are close enough, we can do all our sessions in person.

    Telehealth is an option if that makes therapy more accessible for you, either due to location, transport, or comfort. We can do all our sessions via telehealth.

    We can also do a hybrid of the two options, and do the first few session in person and then move to telehealth, or if you travel a lot we can do some sessions via telehealth.

  • For Better is located in the Canterbury Health Hub at Suite 7, 333 Canterbury Rd, Canterbury, on the outbound side of Canterbury Rd. Enter from the veranda to the left of the centre ramp.

    If driving:

    Onsite parking is available via Stanley Terrace, or parking is available on Canterbury Road, except for clearway times. There is also parking in the surrounding side streets.
    ! Please take note of local parking restrictions, including clearway times, when parking.

    If taking public transport:

    Chatham Train Station is 150 metres walk.
    Canterbury Train Station is 300 metres walk.

  • Inclusion of all abilities is important at For Better, and the office is accessible to all mobilities.

    The office is located within the Canterbury Health Hub which is accessed from the veranda at the front of the building to the left of the centre ramp.

    Accessible toilets are available in the main foyer of the building.

    Telehealth is also an option if travel or in person therapy is a barrier.

  • Our initial session will always be 1-hour and 45-minutes. We prefer to continue to work in that longer session length to get further in each session, but that can be hard for people logistically sometimes, so we can also work in 1-hour long sessions.

    Generally, we strongly recommend weekly sessions so that you are making and maintaining progress. We move to bigger gaps between sessions as the change you are making is holding.

    If you are in crisis, such as after the revelation of an affair or betrayal, it may be recommended to come in twice a week, if possible.

    Research from The Gottmans and Emotionally Focussed Therapy (EFT) suggests average relationship therapy length is 8 to 20 sessions, but for each relationship that is determined by the level of crisis or negativity in the relationship; the needs and goals for the relationship and the therapy process; and the amount of work that is put in during and between the therapy sessions.

  • We charge $350 for the initial 1-hour 45-minute session, and then $320 for following 1-hour 45-minute sessions, or $220 for a 1-hour session + any payment surcharges. There are multiple payment options available, some of which are surcharge free.

  • Depending on your health insurance provider, and level of coverage it may be an option.

    Medicare, unfortunately, does not allow us to claim relationship therapy.