Many practitioners list “couples” or “marital therapy” as specialties, but not all have specific training in relationship therapy. This can include limited training in what healthy relationships look like, and in how to recognise and respond to emotional or psychological abuse within a relationship.

I chose to become a couples therapist because I wanted to offer high-quality, safe, and well-informed therapy here in New Zealand. Working with couples requires more than general counselling skills. It involves understanding relationship dynamics, knowing when to challenge patterns, and helping partners stay engaged even when things feel uncertain.

At times, the work calls for honest and direct conversations. At other times, it’s about building motivation and helping partners reconnect. What I value most is seeing how a strong, healthy relationship can improve overall wellbeing and even help repair earlier attachment wounds or past trauma.

Couples therapy can be intense, and there’s often a lot of emotion in the room. But there are also moments of relief, insight, and even humour along the way. Supporting couples and families through meaningful change is deeply rewarding, and it’s work I feel grateful to do.

Simply click on the “BOOK NOW” button to view the fee structure and availability.

Relational Life Therapy (RLT) is grounded in compassion and professionalism, but it works differently from traditional talk therapy.

Rather than positioning ourselves as distant experts, we work alongside you. We bring both clinical training and lived experience, offering practical insight shaped by real relationships, not just theory.

RLT is not neutral. We recognise that not all conflict is equal, and we actively support the partner with less power when needed. This creates safety, accountability, and real movement.

We are also more direct. We don’t stay vague or avoid difficult dynamics. We name what’s happening clearly and respectfully, without shame or blame.

Unlike traditional therapy, we offer specific, tailored guidance. Not generic advice, but practical steps that fit you and your relationship. Less focus on techniques, more focus on what actually changes patterns.

You won’t just talk about problems. You’ll learn how to shift them.

I’ve trained with Esther Perel and Terry Real, and my work is closely aligned with the approach of Stan Tatkin.

Exploring their work on YouTube is a helpful way to get a feel for the style and ethos that inform my practice, and to see whether this approach resonates with you and your family.

Please complete the Relationship Therapy Questionnaire located on the website. It takes around 10 minutes to complete. Your responses are strictly private and confidential. These are not shared with your partner or third parties.

Most people attend fortnightly. We will discuss this during our first appointment.

Note*: The first session for couples is always 110 minutes.

I work fast. You will likely see me anywhere between 2 - 6 times. It’s uncommon for me to see people more than 6 times.   

It is rare for couples to need ongoing therapy after an intensive workshop because they’re so effective.

If you’d like a sense of what it’s like to work with me, you can read client reflections on the Testimonials page, found under the “More” tab in the menu.

Your progress isn’t left to guesswork. It’s tracked in a structured, methodical way.

Many therapists rely on informal check-ins or general impressions. I take a more rigorous approach. We use clear markers and ongoing feedback to measure whether things are actually improving.

Together, we identify what success looks like at the start, track changes as they happen, and regularly review what’s working and what isn’t. This allows us to see real progress over time, not just rely on how things feel in the moment.

If something isn’t shifting, we adjust early and deliberately. If progress is consistent and sustained, we can confidently plan to finish.

You’ll know the work is effective because the changes are visible, measurable, and lasting.

My online platform [ZOOM] works on computers, laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. You will need a good internet connection and you will need to ensure your software and hardware is working well before our appointment.